What we (can) do (for you)
I still regularly get the question: what is Canine Efficiency? What exactly do you do? High time for another article with information and answers.
Canine Efficiency is the only professional organization in the Benelux and various other countries specialized in providing correct information, advising, performing suitability- and problem analyses, implementation & guidance regarding livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). Our experience and expertise are unique, as are our activities.
Furthermore, we can give a 100% guarantee that LGDs will be completely and successfully integrated into your situation and environment. I will explain how that is possible in a moment. First, I have to (once again) mention a fact that has been present in 'the world of livestock guardian dogs' for a long time and that keeps popping up, mainly with beginners, during the first months to the first few years. The main reason for this trend is ignorance.
I am talking about the fact that potentially good LGDs are disabled to become well-functioning working dogs instead of enabled. This happens systematically as well as incidentally (experimentally). For various reasons, new ‘users’ are so ignorant of what LGDs actually are that they easily follow a methodology, system or program that supposedly helps them achieve successful results with livestock guardian dogs. The statement “anyone can do it” is a frequently heard in such methodologies, systems or programs. Not only ‘users’ but also other stakeholders play a role in this harmful ‘trend’. Think of branch organizations, commissioning organizations, policy officers, politicians, media and many people who have nothing to do with this subject at all.
In such systematic approaches, the focus is on enabling people of all levels to work with LGDs. In this, it is accepted (and taken into account) that (unnecessarily) many livestock guardian dogs are labeled as unsuitable. Sacrificing basically good LGDs is preferred over guiding new ‘users’ to the necessary level to be able to work with such dogs. In my opinion, this approach is not only ethically very irresponsible, but also a guaranteed path to downfall. The new ‘users’ of LGDs are always animal owners of a species that needs to be protected from predation or other threats. Animal owners who are unable and/or unwilling to delve into how (their) animals are by nature and what they need, are not sustainable or future-proof, but degenerative.
Then there are also incidental (experimental) situations where basically good LGDs are disabled instead of enabled. Some characteristics in such situations are to have basically good LGDs disabled instead of evolved in as little time as possible, as cheaply as possible and with as little (or no) expert guidance as possible. Sometimes, when experiencing considerable problems, ‘users’ ask for help, but often they do not. Pride, ego or many other reasons prevent many people from acknowledging that it is not the dog, but they themselves that are the cause of the problems. As a quality over quantity organization, there is not much we can do about it, except to regularly address it, so that more people are aware of it. An interesting, but often unasked question is: what happens to dogs that are labelled as unsuitable from the aforementioned situations?
Our approach is aimed at working efficiently, realistically and tailor-made with respect for the nature of both the people and animals involved. We can achieve good results with different types of characters of people, dogs and other animals. We do not use a fixed system in which every person and animal must function. However, there are of course actions and procedures to be followed that are always necessary to achieve the desired results. These are always based on the facets that are necessary for livestock guardian dogs to learn and develop in their living and working environment through their ancient nature. Everything starts with an introductory meeting on location. If we do not think it is desirable, necessary or possible to work with LGDs in a certain place, we will say so. This has happened regularly for various reasons. If the basic conditions of the place and the will of the 'users' are there, we will make a proposal for an approach. Depending on the stages in which we are involved, a guaranteed percentage can be given regarding achieving full integration in your operation and environment. 100% is possible and achievable if all crucial facets and advice are followed. Deviating from, or not following, crucial components automatically means that the guaranteed percentage decreases. This can be a small decrease and may or may not be repairable. It can also be considerable and difficult to repair to irreparable. The 'blueprint' with percentages will be clearly visible at the start of, and during, a collaboration.
We never ask impossible things of people, nor of animals. Everything is realistic and feasible. Everything we ask of people who are going to work with LGDs, we can do ourselves as well. Everything we show and/or tell is from our own experience, not from the experiences of others. The timeline for achieving results is different for each individual (human and animal) and that actual timeline will be explained and respected. An initial introduction costs nothing and is always useful and enlightening, regardless of whether or not there is a follow-up process.
“The direction to go is forward and in quite some cases this means going back in time. Not backwards, but back to basic, back to the roots. LGDs, ancient as they are, are a way forward, back in time.” – Ray Dorgelo ‘The value of LGDs’