UCCE Looking to Document LGD Bonding Techniques 

Livestock Guard Dog - photo by Dan Macon

The process of bonding livestock guardian dogs with livestock is crucial to their success as adult dogs. However, little if any research-based information is available on bonding techniques.

University of California Cooperative Extension Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor Carolyn Whitesell and UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor Dan Macon have developed a producer survey designed to document the types of bonding processes used by commercial livestock producers. The researchers hope to build greater understanding regarding the approaches that result in successful bonding – and those that do not.

Project cooperators will complete a short online or telephone survey when they start the bonding process with a new pup. Follow-up surveys will be conducted monthly until the bonding process is completed. Surveys should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential.

If you're starting a livestock guardian dog puppy in the next year and would be willing to participate in this project, contact Macon at dmacon@ucanr.edu or 530-889-7385.

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