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BEHAVIOR
Dominant, bold, brave,
independent, balanced and intelligent; these are all adjectives of a SRO,
positive adjectives but - pay attention - these attributes must be controlled
and developed with care and awareness by the owner because if treated differently
they can change into a weapon.
If you are interested
in a SRO it is very important to search and ask information from a serious
breeder about the behavior of the breed. Then perform a self-examination
to find out if this breed is the right one for you. The SRO isn’t a breed
for people who do not have dog-experience; The SRO isn’t a breed for people
who want a complete submission by their dog or a person without "character".
The SRO has been created
by mankind and was molded by nature with the purpose to have a strong dog
to protect the livestock. The trustworthy of a livestock guarding dog towards
the animals he protects is very strong, so strong that the dog risks the
loss of his life.
The habitat with its
hard conditions has selected the strongest and bravest subjects.
The dogs had to survive
with poor resources given by the habitat; he also must be strong and ready
enough to fight against predators - and win (two legged predators also).
And even more often
a livestock guarding dog didn´t have to fight with a predator but
he had to scare the opponents showing an aggressive behavior.
So, a livestock
guarding dog must be capable of changing his behavior, adapting it to different
situations; the dog must have the capability to change his behavior without
the presence of his owner.
That is why the SROs
behavior (and other similar breeds) is so strong and difficult.
If a person is interested
in a SRO only for his looks, undervaluing the behavior aspects, he can
expect really big problems.
When a SRO is on guard
he can be a really aggressive dog. His property is off limit for anyone,
also for the people that, only a few minutes before, received a warm welcome
by the dog. But this was outside his property and in the presence of his
owner...
When a SRO is not on
guard he is a quiet and relaxed dog but he deserves respect!
Normally a young SRO
is really happy and friendly but when he will be 2-2,5 years old he suddenly
becomes more serious.
An adult SRO is a quiet
and not a noisy dog; he is a lovely friend.
You can feel a very
strange sensation when your SRO is watching you with his invisible look.
A SRO cannot live in
a flat but he must not be kept outside only: he needs to have as much contact
as possible with his owner.
The training of a SRO
has to start very early with care and without mistakes when he is a puppy.
The most important
thing to do is SOCIALIZATION: this must start when the dog is a puppy.
When the dog has obtained
all his vaccinations and he can go outside (after 12 weeks of age), it
is very important to show the dog as much as possible. The puppy must always
have positive experiences with people and animals (dogs, cats and others);
never set the dog up against other dogs or people.
To socialize a guarding
dog does not mean that the dog will be too friendly and will lose his qualities
as a guardian; the truth is the opposite: you will have a balanced dog
with the capacity to know when to be defensive and when to stay quiet.
You must know that even if a SRO is well socialized he will remain a reserved,
dominant and independent dog.
Don’t allow strange
people to touch your SRO without his permission. It is impossible for a
stranger to value his invisible look and to estimate if he is willing to
be touched. He doesn´t growl and sometimes he can give a warning
in the form of a "tooth knock" to show he does not agree.
Because of these qualities
the SRO has a reputation to be a dangerous and aggressive dog: this isn’t
the truth!
I have 3 SROs and one
of these is a male with a real strong and dominant behavior. But he has
received a good education with a correct socialization which allowed him
to come with me around all of Europe for holidays and Dog Shows without
problems, ever.
The SRO is a real balanced
dog and this has allowed the breed to stay next to the shepherd and work
with them for decades.
It is simple: a SRO
isn’t a dog for anyone!
Alekszej & me
Taina in the snow
Alina
Alina & me
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© Sergio Zavattaro, 2009