08/30/2026
🐾 Thunder’s Big Day of Learning About the World 🐾
Because Thunder is still very much a puppy, one of the most important things we can do for him right now is expose him to everything—people, animals, sounds, movement, equipment, new environments and everyday life.
Yesterday, he spent most of the day hanging out with me near Simba and the male goats, along with our chickens, turkeys and ducks while I tackled what felt like a million cardboard boxes that needed to be broken down for recycling. 😂📦
And Thunder did AMAZING.
He watched the birds. He chewed on sticks. He played with a cardboard box. He took a little nap. Then he woke up and did it all over again. 😂❤️
Matthew was also working nearby on the tractor, driving back and forth and coming fairly close to us. That meant a big moving machine, engine noise and all kinds of sounds for Thunder to experience. 🚜 Instead of removing him from it, we let him safely watch, listen and process what was happening. These everyday experiences are incredibly important for a young dog who is still learning that the world isn’t such a scary place.
Chickens were walking right past him, and he showed no interest in chasing them and no aggression toward them. So far, he’s actually been incredibly good with the birds.
The bunnies? 🐇 Wellllll…those are a different story. 😂 Thunder definitely thinks they’re a little too interesting, so that’s something we’ll continue working on safely.
❤️ A little LGD puppy education…
One misconception about livestock guardian dogs is that because they’re bred to work, you can put a puppy outside on acreage with livestock and they’ll automatically know what to do.
They don’t.
LGD puppies need a tremendous amount of time, guidance and exposure, especially during their first year or two. Having five, ten or twenty acres doesn’t replace exercise, training or human interaction.
They need walks. They need opportunities to explore. They need mental stimulation and boundaries. They need exposure to tractors, vehicles, equipment, strange noises, different people and different animals. They need to learn appropriate behavior around livestock. And they absolutely need one-on-one time with their person.
For a young dog like Thunder, that can mean spending hours alongside us throughout the day—not necessarily running for hours, but walking, exploring, training, observing livestock, experiencing new situations, playing and simply learning how to appropriately exist in our world.
And because these dogs are intelligent and independent, boredom can quickly turn into digging, escaping, chewing, roaming and destructive behavior.
A pasture alone doesn’t exercise a dog. Acreage isn’t a substitute for involvement.
Thunder is still a little scared of the world. There are clearly so many things he hasn’t experienced yet. But every day he’s watching, learning and becoming a little more confident.
For a puppy who came to us with so many unknowns, we’re incredibly proud of how well he’s doing.
Thunder is going to make somebody an AMAZING dog. ❤️ His future person just needs to understand that he’s young and still needs someone willing to put in the time—exercise him, teach him, expose him to life and, most importantly, build a relationship with him.
These dogs give an incredible amount to their families and livestock, but especially while they’re young, we have to put the time into them first. 🐾❤️
