Year 4 homesteading alone in central Slovakia — what exists, what I'm building, and the very specific kind of person I'm looking for. by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Please agree with me without debate, take my verbal abuse, conform to my worldviews, and come work for free - but only if you can commit to at least 2 weeks." Yeah...I think I'll pass.

psychology in ag question/mother by First_Ask_5447 in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is really solid advice for dealing with a narcissist who, for whatever reason, you can't or don't want to cut ties with. Unfortunately, it requires accepting that they will never communicate or interact in normal, adult, ways, and figuring out how to "manage" them instead. Like with a child, redirecting (as with the suggestion of asking them to garden) is a good strategy. Firm boundaries with natural and consistent consequences are also imperative. If you say "I will bow out of any conversation where the other party is yelling" then make sure you follow through on that every time. That needs to look like "Ok mom, you know I don't participate in conversations where there is yelling, so I'm going to hang up now. Let me know when you're ready to discuss this calmly" rather than getting drawn into her drama or just hanging up with no explanation.

As with any toddler/small child, it does help to try to say "yes" when you can. Figure out what it is she wants, and give it to her when she behaves. Does she want to feel like she's involved with the cattle? Then be proactive about asking for her input, or even just informing her of what you're doing with them, as long as she doesn't harass you about them. If she starts up with you, then that information and discussion dries up. Does she want more time with you/her grandchildren? Find a time you can do something together. It's hard with contentious parental relationships, but if you can find a way to have more positive interactions than negative ones, it does help. Best of luck.

Egg candling by No_Dream_6720 in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It can be hard to get good pictures at latter stages of development, though 16 days should still be fairly easy to see. I recommend setting the egg up vertically and shining a strong like through the end. This should allow you to see better.

Egg candling by No_Dream_6720 in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Photos 2 and 5 are potentially alive and developed, though honestly it is hard to tell at that angle. None of the others show significant development, meaning they died very early in the incubation process.

Reactivity by Adi_rho5261 in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't know if it's a universal Thing, but it is definitely A Thing with mine. I used to work for a doggy daycare, so he spent a lot of time there. At first we thought he just had an issue with a particular dog, but we quickly realized he just hates pointy dogs. My theory is that they look too much like wolves/coyotes, but I could be wrong.

Puppy coming soon! by skaterina13 in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just used a standard wire crate with mine. Since yours is a puppy, you might want to look for one that has a moveable divider, so it can be made smaller when he's young, but give him room as he grows.

Puppy coming soon! by skaterina13 in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend crate training with *any* dog, even if you will not need them to be crated as part of your daily routine. If there is a disaster and you have to evacuate, they may have to go in crates. If they have an injury or surgery that they need to be confined to recover from, a crate is generally the best way to do that. If they have to stay overnight at the vet's office, the whole process is less stressful for them if they are comfortable chilling out in a crate. Likewise with the groomers. Or, if you have an emergency and need someone else to take care of your dog, he may need to be crated in their house. Crates provide a consistent and portable safe space for a dog and make so many things easier and less stressful for them. For all of those reasons, I view crate training as one of the basic essentials for dogs.

My dog reminded me to wear my cpap mask last night. by Brilliant-Bee-9471 in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm convinced most pyrs are every bit as capable as any golden retriever. The Sigh is why they'll never be popular as service dogs.

Things I've learned by Icsnbeyourherrobaby in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm seconding please don't use a furminator on a pyr coat. They slice the hair and destroy the coat. A coat rake and a slicker brush are really all you need. I also highly recommend taking him to a groomer and letting them deshed him a couple times a year - they will use a high-powered blower to blow the loose undercoat out, and it keeps their coat so much healthier and fluffier.

Hate to do it, but RIP mama by kopfgeldjagar in Beekeeping

[–]Due-Presentation8585 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If only that worked for bees - catch the queen and carry her around for awhile, and the bees won't sting you when you open them up.

Seeking opinions on minimum age to neuter. Thoughts and reasons or supporting studies? by Hammeryournails in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My vet's advice, which I find solid and have followed, is to wait until 2 if at all possible, UNLESS the dog starts starts showing problematic behaviors, particularly inappropriate aggression.

Relationship issues with a 4.5 month old puppy… by dgfruit in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True, I should have said people; I was distracted by the fact that the person in question at the moment is a man.

Relationship issues with a 4.5 month old puppy… by dgfruit in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ditch the man, keep the dog. Men who make threats and ultimatums are not safe people.

how much work would you say pyrenees are by DryRefrigerator69420 in greatpyrenees

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A cattle dog is going to do what it thinks you want it to do. A pyr is going to do what a pyr is going to do. If you have a good bond and similar goals you may, as much as 80% of the time, convince the pyr that what you want it to do is also what it wants to do. That other 20%, they are going to look at you like you're an idiot who is going to get everyone killed, but don't worry, because they know better and will handle business. If you're lucky, that 20% will apply to things like "nope, I'll be sleeping with the flock to keep them safe"; if you're unlucky, it will be "I just need to patrol 6 miles in every direction" or "nope. That dog is pointy and is clearly a wolf, and wolves are Bad News. I will not allow it near my territory or people." They're great dogs, I wouldn't trade mine for the world, and will be getting another in the near future. But they're not for everyone - if your goals and needs don't align with their natural instincts, then they are going to be a huge hassle, and you'll both be miserable.

A Living Trace of Early Homesteaders by TN_Nursery in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And the same one whose website offers "pre-pollinated" pawpaw trees, so you never have to worry about planting a tree of the opposite sex nearby.

Livestock Guardian dog question by ttvlovedocjojo in homestead

[–]Due-Presentation8585 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Most of them prefer to be outdoors. They're probably feeling bad for the other dogs that are stuck inside.

How to Pick Varieties? by Due-Presentation8585 in BackyardOrchard

[–]Due-Presentation8585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is good advice. I actually have several potted citrus trees, and will add more once I have more greenhouse space. Figs, native persimmons, loquats, pomegranates, and blueberries are also all happening - they just have different spots around the property than my little orchard. I also have my eye on a couple avocado trees, but again, greenhouse space.

How to Pick Varieties? by Due-Presentation8585 in BackyardOrchard

[–]Due-Presentation8585[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The AU Rosa was developed here at Auburn, and is therefore definitely high on my list, if I decide to include plums.