1 Reaction Paper: The Rural Sociology of Incorporating Livestock Guard Dogs within

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Reaction Paper: The Rural Sociology of Incorporating Livestock Guard Dogs within the Sheep and Goat Industry

ALEC 202: Intro to Leading

Department of Agricultural Leadership, & Development

Texas A&M University

Author name

Instructor Name

4/5, 2024

Reaction Paper: The Rural Sociology of Incorporating Livestock Guard Dogs within the Sheep and Goat Industry

The article I chose to focus on is about the implementation of livestock guard dogs within the sheep and goat industry and how this concept of diffusion correlates with Rural Sociology regarding how Extension has played a vital role in sheep and goat producers’ success. (Rogers 2003). Livestock predators have always been a constant battle for livestock producers to ward off, and the practices most commonly implemented today: are trapping, snares, and hiring trappers to help decrease the population of livestock predators. Green et. al., 1984.

Despite livestock guard dogs being used throughout history to protect shepherds’ flocks from predators, it is not a method used by everyone; however, if implemented properly, it can drastically improve livestock production, especially within the sheep and goat industry. (Green et. al, 1984). Furthermore, I have experience implementing livestock guard dogs within our sheep and goat operation in McCulloch County. Ranchers need to be adequately educated on properly managing, implementing, and maintaining these dog breeds within their herds. A misconception is that these breeds are not meant to be pets, which is accurate to an extent; however, a part of the implementation process is to allow the dog to build that bond with you and the animals it is meant to protect. Regarding chapter two, rural Sociologists are researchers who work diligently in the field of extension to provide quality programs to ranchers and farmers to effectively implement proven practices within their ranch operation (Rogers2003).

For example, when my family decided to incorporate livestock guard dogs to help minimize predation, we gathered most of our research from extension articles about what breeds are proven gentle, protective, and hardy enough to withstand West Texas heat. We did not receive positive encouragement from other producers who recently implemented guard dogs and who believed they could have been more effective. However, as with any innovation to be incorporated into an industry, it requires time and patience to perfect it. Especially with incorporating Livestock guard dogs, the training instinct is to protect and care for the herd as if they are a part of their pack, which has been inbred in their genetics. An essential part of the training, often neglected or forgotten during the transitioning period of incorporating the dog into your herd, is building trust with it so that it is gentle and friendly with you to care for its needs.

Conclusion

The results from the article have proven that livestock guard dogs can be very beneficial within the sheep and goat industry for decreasing predation and increasing production (Green et al. 1984.) When analyzing how this agricultural problem has affected rural livelihoods, Extension specialists have done and continue to do an exceptional job at providing effective programs on how to implement these livestock protectors. However, most importantly, extension prides itself on developing relationships with the community (Rogers). This relationship allows the specialist to observe a need, like preventing livestock losses to predation by incorporating guard dogs. Then, develop a plan for a program that ranchers will accept when they can see how it can impact their livelihoods positively by increasing their lamb crops (Rogers, 2003). Green et. al. stated, the data provided by livestock producers using dogs indicate that more dogs work well than fail, and there are few limits to the type of conditions under which a good dog can be a benefit (1984, p.50). This type of data was essential and helpful for our family when determining whether livestock guard dogs could be a positive factor in preventing losses to predators, which they have proven to do.

Work cited

Green, J S, Woodruff, R A, & Tueller, T T (1984), Livestock-Guarding Dogs For Predator Control: Costs, Benefits, and Practicality. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006), 12(1). 44–50. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3781503

Rogers, EM. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations 5th ed. . Simon & Schuster. https://reader.yuzu.com/books/9780743258234

Additional citations to format according to the APA seventh edition manual guidelines within a reference list. **The citations were not used in the reaction paper above.

Mission Statement. (n.d). Aggie Honor System Office. https://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/about/mission-statement

Lecture Notes Changing Nature of Leadership. [Cummings 2024, February 5]. Department of Agriculture leadership, education, and communication Texas A&M University https://canvas.tamu.edu/courses/285489/files/65169871?module_item_id=9670418

Komives S. R., Lucas N., and McMahon T. R (2013.) Exploring leadership: For College Students who want to make a Difference 3rd ed. Josey-Bass.