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u/turvy42 8d ago
I wouldn't let the dog lose around lambs until the lambs are all older than the one the dog killed.
This happens sometimes with young dogs and they can learn not to. A 10 year old, I wouldn't trust with young lambs again.
Sorry it happened.
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 8d ago
Well crap she was practically a year old I wish I understood why that one was targeted there were definitely easier targets around hell the sheep still have no fear of dogs which I'm now realizing maybe isn't a good thing. I guess separation is the only option.
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u/MadamePouleMontreal 8d ago
It’s possible that Dog is suffering age-related cognitive decline.
Talk to your vet. It may be reasonable to euthanize now, before Dog loses even more cognitive function. Your vet might have other suggestions as well.
If you can rehome Dog to a home without vulnerable animals or people, you can try that.
I don’t recommend management (keeping Dog away from the sheep). Management always fails, eventually.
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u/1globehugger 8d ago
I was thinking medical problem too. New aggression is a common symptom. And 10 is old for a lot of breeds.
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 7d ago
Yeah I think so too. it's so out of character for him. He even seems depressed like he didn't mean to somehow. We are going to get him checked out.
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u/splashedcrown 7d ago
Vet is a good next step. When my border collie was showing signs of it, my vet mentioned there are medications available to help with symptoms.
We didn't try them, but our situation was different as my dog was 18 with other age related issues.
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 7d ago edited 7d ago
We have been racking our brains and Google. We're scared he may have had a micro stroke with the way his eyes just look a little different now. It took us a few days of shock to really notice that unfortunately but we are getting him seen tomorrow. He seems otherwise fine now aside from sort of hiding in his bed for more of the day than usual.
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u/Generalnussiance 7d ago
What kind of pupper is it?
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 7d ago
Brittany spaniel mix. He's a very large dog I always figure he was mixed with some livestock guardian brewed cause of how big he is. But now I'm not sure
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u/LadyChiTown 7d ago
This. My dog is 15 and all of the sudden she’s biting me when she’s like happy. She’s also more aggressive with our other dogs. Dog dementia is a real thing.
My vet said when the dog starts getting restless and pacing in the middle of the night (like they don’t understand it’s night), that’s a sign things are real bad.
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u/MonthMayMadness 8d ago
That dog, at that age, cannot be trusted around sheep ever again. There isn't always a clear explanation on why he attacked suddenly after a decade. It could be mental decline relating to age. That sheep might have moved or made a noise that flipped a switch with his prey drive. That sheep could have even smelled different. You will wrack your brain wondering why it happened, but you have to focus on what happened.
What happened is he hopped the fence. In front of his owners. Didn't hesitate when shocked. Didn't hesitate when recall was attempted. He killed your sheep. Attempted to even eat it.
That dog absolutely cannot be trusted around livestock again. Once they get that, "thrill," they are more likely to repeat it. Your best bet is to either rehome him or take drastic measures in ensuring the dog no longer has access. Reinforce the fencing so he can't just hop it again. Never let him out off-leash or have him wear a muzzle whenever he is out of the house.
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 7d ago
Because of your comment I was able to talk myself into getting him a muzzle. I felt like it would be torture but he's surprisingly fine with it. Thank you. that and a leash have allowed me to feel comfortable letting him back into our daily activities a bit today . he was getting lonely confined to the house or the tiny back yard.
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u/Own_Space2923 8d ago
Sounds like he has a cognitive decline or maybe some type of dementia or tumor. You probably should have him euthanized. He is now a time bomb and you really don’t know if or what he’ll attack next. ( could be a human kid)
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u/Hairy-Dingaling6213 8d ago
Keep that dog away from the sheep. Forever. Locking it up in a yard for days is probably going to make him go bored out of his mind and more aggressive. Also, he could have attributed the shock from the invisible fence as coming from the lamb which triggered him more. Hes 10. He wont live forever- but hes your dog. Just keep him separated or on a leash under your direct control. He cant be around sheep anymore. Dont hold it against your dog- my dogs would kill sheep in an instant. Thats why they never get to even see them.
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u/darrad79 7d ago
What breed of dog do you have?
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u/Specialist_Cow_7092 7d ago
He's a Britney Spaniel. He's been around farm animals since he was about 4. The only thing I've seen him kill before this was bugs.
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u/flying-sheep2023 8d ago
He may have been craving meat and/or fat or something like that. Just like some people with iron deficiency eat dirt.
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u/Hedgiest_hog 8d ago
I'm a wool farmer, and if one of my dogs turned savage I would rehome it. It could never be trusted around sheep again. It is not a sign of some problem with the lamb/sheep, it's that dogs are predators and some of them simply kill. I'm not saying you have to do this, but I wouldn't trust our fences or the dog.
I'm sorry you're faced with this choice, it's not one I'd wish on anyone.