A head-started and bonded dog or group of dogs will be placed with host families carefully chosen based on stringent criteria that should result in the highest effectiveness of the dogs during their working life, and that provide the biggest conservation and environmental impact.
Prior to placement, host families are selected based on strict guidelines.In addition, the host families and extended families will be thoroughly trained in the proper management of their dog relative to their livestock. Initially host families will be required to live in areas of high predator population density and high verified livestock losses.
Families will “lease to own” their dogs on a sliding scale in order to instill a sense of responsibility, value, and ownership for their dog’s welfare and its value as a herder’s aid. Host families receive continued periodic training from NGF staff for the proper management, care, and use of their Bankhar.