EXISTENTIAL BEHAVIOR OF A DOG

Abstract

Livestock guarding dogs (LGD) are selected according to their behavioral characteristics and performances rather than their morphological characteristics. In order to be able to protect the livestock, the dog must have certain behavioral patterns. These guarding behaviors are largely instinctive and require relatively little training other than timely correction of undesirable behaviors. The basis of the LGD guarding behavior is their strong attachment to the sheep, and their success is the result of a qualified genetic background consolidated by proper breeding. Artificial selection, which they have been exposed for thousands of years, has put pressure on their predatory motor patterns. Suppression of genetic sequences has blurred the congener recognition, enabling them to develop social patterns across species. Therefore livestock guarding dogs tend to perceive sheep as dogs and accept them into their herds under appropriate breeding methods. Such attachment enables livestock guarding dogs to protect sheep against external threats without human manipulation. In this context, dogs without the right genes cannot be trained to be successful guardians regardless of the breeding method. Livestock guarding dogs are selected for displaying non-threatening submissive behaviors towards the livestock. It is necessary that the LGD, which accepts the sheep as the same species, should not have predatoy behaviors towards them. Under proper breeding conditions, the LGD is expected to attach, follow and stay with the livestock he is guarding. The working methods of livestock guarding dogs are not based on hunting predators; livestock protection is usually a preventive defense without physical contact between the LGD and the predator. An attentive LGD should withdraw to the livestock when threatened and stay with the sheep. A properly bred LGD with the right genes does not leave the livestock when threatened; it barks loudly and increases the odor signals by urinating. As a result of such threatening social responses, the predator's hunting behavior may be impaired or the predator may be discouraged from attacking the livestock. Protective behaviors are difficult to observe because livestock guarding dogs only become protective in the presence of a threat, whereas trustworthy and attentive behaviors can be consistently seen when the LGD is in the vicinity of the livestock. Guarding also depends on the dog's aggressive temperament, the species and number of predators, the size of the livestock, and the number of livestock guarding dogs. However, the presence of attentiveness deficiency in the dog will be reflected in the dog's protective behavior.