Quote Originally Posted by phesina View Post
Karen, why not keep both dogs in at night, or just leave them out in a restricted area then.

If they're at risk of getting bruised from being kicked by a human or a donkey, or other animal, by annoying them, they're in real danger of being very seriously hurt some time.
Because their job - Lulu's in particular, though Dusky helps - is predator control. They chase off, or scare away predators. When Lulu got run over last summer, we lost five birds to predators when she was not "on the job."

They are generally good about sticking around our property, when not chasing off predators - Lulu will give chase as long as necessary, before heading back home. Our friend Andy once spotted her nearly a mile down the road, chasing a coy wolf down the middle of our road. As he watched, the coy finally turned and ran into the woods to the left, and Lulu was satisfied, and returned home.

The donkey kick is another matter! Our two donkeys (Hamby and Sparkles, father and son) sometimes squabble, and the dogs don't like it. Dusky may have just been in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Lulu is smarter, she will break up geese fighting, or other animals, but never gets in the way of hooves or beaks or wings!

While Dusky is recovering, they are only allowed out in a fenced area, Lulu is allowed outside of the fence when people are working in the yard, feeding animals, etc., but Dusky is not. General they both accompany Kermit on chores.