English Pointer mix - good with goats?

[FROELICHRA]

Hi -

We just adopted an English Pointer mix dog from a rescue organization. The dog's temperament and demeanor is wonderful in the house but outside he goes "crazy" around our goats. Are there any suggestions that you might have about what to do / how to introduce the dog and the goats so they may get along?

Also, are there any "games" that you can play with this type of dog that he would enjoy for exercise?

Thanks so much for any suggestions.

[queenkarlata]

He could just be trying to play with them. Welcome to the hunting breeds! wonderful household manners that make you forget their energy until the moment you let them free....haha. i love em though. So, like i said before, he's probably just trying to play or establish some kind of dominance. keep him leashed for a while before you let him go freely. walk him around them and stand with him off to the side so they have a chance to come and investigate for themselves if they want. try to exercise him before you do this so that he's not full of energy around them and is easier to handle on a leash. My dog loves catch, its kind of a classic hunter gig. try it with treats so he get the idea of what you want him to do. some good games are to have the dog sit and tell them to stay, then show them a toy, have them smell it, tell them to stay again, and go and hide it, then tell the dog to go find it, they're so happy to use their nose and be detectives. of course, you will have to make sure that the dog understands the commands first. training on its own is great exercise until you have him trained well enough for more elaborate hide and seek games.

good luck! post a picture of him!

karla