Instructions
Surround your goat pastures with high fencing. Install a fence that is at least 7 ft. high and 3 ft. underground. Reinforce locks on fence openings. Fences keep out not only dogs, but also coyotes and other predators. Electric fences are also an option, but they may be more expensive.
Provide a sturdy enclosure in which the goats can sleep. Make sure the enclosure has sturdy doors and reinforced walls. A sturdy enclosure such as a stable or barn provides safety from domestic and feral dogs that roam at night.
Invest in guard animals such as larger dog breeds, donkeys or llamas. Each of these animals works as a guard in your goat pastures. Buy your guard dog while it is a puppy and place it with your goats. Allow the puppy to grow accustomed to the goats and bond. Avoid too much contact between the guard dog and humans. Human contact tends to reduce the effectiveness of a guard dog. With a donkey or a llama, place the animal with your goats for a few days. Let the animals grow accustomed to one another. Both donkeys and llamas show signs of aggression toward dogs and act well as replacements for guard dogs. Keep an eye on all animals, including puppies, during the bonding period. Once the initial bonding period is over, remove the animals and keep them separated from the goats by sturdy fencing.
Let your goats run free in a pasture. Whether you have one goat or a few, avoid tethering them to a fence or putting them in a place they cannot run. Once you tether a goat, it is vulnerable to dog attacks because it cannot run away. Tether a goat only when you plan to groom it or if you stay nearby.
How to Keep Dogs From Killing Goats
Whether it̵7;s a feral or domesticated dog that's killing your goats, you must address the problem immediately. Dogs are a major threat to livestock, and goats are no exception. When you think ahead and provide adequate protection, you help reduce the risk that dogs will maul or kill your goats.