The Far Side

Using guard dogs to bond with and protect a flock from predators.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-coyotes-threatened-livestock-central-texas-ranches-solution-unlock-ancient-ability-dogs-180988099

'Guardian dogs often have litters of eight or more, and at about ten weeks, Buchholz places the pups in groups of two or three in separate pens. To ensure that they bond with species, not individual animals, sheep and goats rotate through. “You’re always looking for that instinct to interact with livestock,” Buchholz said. “You’re looking for a pup that’s trying to lick ’em on the nose, trying to be close to ’em, trying to rear up on ’em and such as that.” Puppies being puppies, some roguishness is to be expected, and Buchholz favors mature, sturdy companion animals that won’t hesitate to dispense disciplinary headbutts.'