These are not “trained” dogs, per se, like a herding dog. These are bred to protect, and are imprinted to the sheep herd at a young age. They are protecting their family from all threats...
The open-range grazing laws on public lands are a hodgepodge; generally, grazing stock, if the land is lease by the owner, can be protected. The “day hikers” need to be respectful of the sheep herder’s stock, and mindful of how he insures that his stock are kept safe. The hikers just need to stay away. Threats to the stock are not limited to “wild” predators. Stock theft is not limited to cows.
It’s not Central Park out there, for heaven’s sake...
Well, when I go out on Forest Service land I tend to take my own dog to walk point. She likes it. Me too.
I have spent a lot of time on public lands in the west weeks at a time.
Being mindful is one thing being attack by an animal is another.
Being an old farm boy I know a bit about stock.