I may earn affiliate income from links in the blog post, including through the Amazon Associates program as well as other brand partnerships. I only promote products I actually use in my farm and business.
Livestock guardian dogs are a key part of our goat and sheep farm. They’re out in the elements year-round, working long hours to protect our herd.
Over time, we’ve learned which tools are truly helpful for raising and having LGDs, and which ones aren’t worth the money.
Everything listed below is something I personally use on our farm or have gotten solid feedback on from other farmers and ranchers.
You can find them all in one place on my Amazon Livestock Guardian Dog Gear and Resources list.
- Reference book: LGD sourcing, training, troubleshooting
- Undercoat brush
- Durable scissors
- Nail clippers
- Natural flea & tick spray
- Lead line for training and/or leash use
- Slip collar
- Quality dog food
- Stainless steel food dishes
- Giving meds easier
- Pill pusher
- Thermostat regulated plugin adapter
- Heated water bucket
- Spray bandage
Reference book: LGD sourcing, training, troubleshooting
Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care and Training: This book is a great starting point or refresher, whether you’re new to LGDs or have years under your belt. It covers everything from picking the right pup to managing their behavior. I reference it often and recommend it to anyone starting out. You can also learn how we train our livestock guardian dogs for our own farm here in this blog post.
Undercoat brush
FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool. This tool is gold during shedding season. Our Great Pyrenees dogs blows their coat twice a year, and this helps reduce the fluff everywhere while keeping their coat healthy.
Durable scissors
Westcott 8” Titanium Scissors. Simple but essential. I keep these on hand for trimming wraps, bandages, or even matted fur. Durable, sharp, and farm-tough.
Nail clippers
Nail Clippers with Safety Guard. Easy to grip, sharp enough for thick nails, and includes a safety guard. We use it primarily with trimming our guardian dogs’ dew claws.
Natural flea & tick spray
Wondercide Flea, Tick & Mosquito Spray. A must-have for tick-heavy seasons. We use this on our LGDs during peak bug months. I’ve even found it to work with flies. Just a note, it will need to be reapplied a 1-3x a week. But it’s plant-based and safe for regular use.
Lead line for training and/or leash use
Weaver Equine Lead Rope. Technically made for horses, but these ropes work great for LGDs too, especially during transport or vet visits.
I also use it during the training period when the dogs are still young. I’ll either hold the leash or tie it to my waist while I do chores. They have more space to move on their own but not too much freedom to chase goats. Of course use your discretion on if you should tie the line to your belt.
Slip collar
Mighty Paw Slip Collar (Stainless Steel). Reliable and weather-resistant. A slip collar like this is helpful for quick handling or leash work when needed, especially if your dog isn’t wearing a regular collar in the field.
Quality dog food
We typically feed Diamond brand dog food to our four livestock guardian dogs.
Stainless steel food dishes
GORILLA GRIP Stainless Steel Dog Bowls. Heavy-duty and don’t slide around. We use these for feeding food all four of our dogs. They’re easy to clean and hold up well outdoors.
Giving meds easier
Greenies Pill Pockets. Getting LGDs to take meds can sometimes be a bit challenging, especially since they’re not the “typical pet dog.”
These pill pockets make the job easy. You just slip the pill inside the treat, and most dogs take it without a second thought.
Pill pusher
4-Pack Pill Shooter Tool. For dogs that won’t fall for the pill pocket trick, this helps safely and quickly get meds down without the stress (for you or the dog). We also use it with some of our smaller goats to administer copper boluses too.
Thermostat regulated plugin adapter
Farm Innovators Thermo Cube. This little cube automatically turns on heated buckets or heated pads when temps drop. Saves energy and keeps water from freezing.
Heated water bucket
Farm Innovators Heated Water Bucket (Flat Back). This another one of our cold-weather essentials for our dogs. It keeps water from freezing during sub-zero temps and the flat back fits perfectly against walls or fencing.
Spray bandage
Neogen AluShield Aerosol Bandage. Think of it as liquid skin, but for animals. It’s a spray on bandage. It seals wounds fast and protects from dirt and bugs. It also works well for areas where it’s hard to put on a traditional bandage, specially with furry animals. Handy for minor injuries out in the field.
Got a favorite LGD item that’s made life easier on your farm? I’d love to hear about it!
LEAVE A COMMENT
Comments