Puppy!!

SarahFair

Songster
11 Years
Sep 23, 2008
3,696
34
209
Monroe, Ga
I just got a GSD puppy about 3-4 weeks ago.

Hes causing SO much trouble with my chickens.
Hes torn up 3.
Ate one silkie (who had been pecked real bad by the other chickens)
Tearing up one hen (who died in the night from fowl pox down the throat)
and this morning I let him out went to the bathroom made my kids breakfast then I hear my big GSD barking up a storm

I go out there and shes jumping at the puppy so I run down there and hes torn the feathers and his tail bone off!
hit.gif

The chicks anus is all bloody opened up and pulsing. I doubt hell make it.

I beat the snot out of the puppy while he was doing it but Ive done that the other two times (while he was tearing up the chickens).


I just dont know WHAT to do! Please tell me there is hope! I think its just because hes a puppy but I dont want this to carry over into adult hood.

Neither of my other dogs mess with them! In fact my big GSD was trying to protect the chicken he was attacking.


How do I stop this?!?!
 
Either the pup goes or the chickens go.
sad.png
I had to put one down that would not quit attacking an older female 1/4 his size and he growled at me and at my wife. We had raised him from a pup and he was never mistreated. he finally progressed to where he would attack the little one in front of me. Only one I have ever had to do.
hmm.png
 
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. You'll just have to realize the pup can't be trusted alone. No more letting him out on his own. It may be difficult getting everyone in the family to remember every time.

As much as I hate shock collars, they can be quite useful in training. You still wouldn't be able to leave the pup unattended around the chickens, but with a manually controlled collar you can control him remotely in a way he'll get the message. There are collars on the market that have audible and shock warnings separate.

Good luck, pack, family and flock leader.
 
I'll take the puppy!
wink.png


We have a GSD that we rescued and goodness knows she'd love to eat one of our girls. We let our girls out in their run which fully protects them from predators including our GSD. During nicer days if we let them free range, Sara (our GSD) stays inside. It's a pain, but such is life.
 
Quote:
Eww! I'm so glad people don't still do stuff like that anymore. Can you imagine!?! 'Now kids, remember when you're petting the puppy not to touch the dead chicken around his neck. Oh, and don't be inviting any of your friends over for a week or two. And one more thing. No letting the pup up on your bed until the chicken treatment is done.'
 
He will take a lot of training and time to the point you will wonder why you got another puppy. I would tether him to yourself and I know that is a pain. Keep him at your side 24/7 so when he goes outside you are right there with him. Walk him to the spot where you want him to go potty and when he goes potty praise him then go back inside don't let him go by the chickens. This will help out with potty training and training him outside also. I would do this until his main focus isn't on the chickens anymore when he goes outside. Start working on the leave it command right now also. You can start by putting one piece of his food down on the ground and tell him "leave it" if he gets up to get the food put your hand over the food to cover it so he can't get it. Tell him "leave it". When he backs up or sits down from your hand and the food move your hand and say leave it. If he goes for the food again cover it again. You might have to do this for a while until he can sit there with out going after the food. Once he finaly does this tell him ok and give him the food. Do this everyday you can do this with pieces of food or his food bowl once you set it down, or toys, this is just a great command to have your dog learn. Once he has leave it understood then take him outside and go by the chickens (still tethered to you) and walk by then. If he sparks interest which it sounds like he probably will tell him "leave it" if his attention goes off of the chickens then give him a treat. You want him to understand that if he leaves those chickens alone then he will get something good. It will be hard and take a lot of time but if you put forth the effort you will get results back.
wink.png


Also he is still a puppy and things that flap and chirp are just so much fun for pups. Make sure he has a lot of toys that are his own that he can play, chew, and have fun with so the chickens aren't the only thing. Giving him lots of excersise also will help "A tired pup is the only good pup."
 
The puppy should not go out unsupervised around the chickens. He doesn't know any better. It's their natural instinct kicking in. Beating the "snot" out of him is probably not going to work either. Actually, he could interpret it as you competing with him for the chicken. Put him on a long leash and take him out around the flock. If he shows any interest, give a stern "annnnh" "leave it!" command (in an assertive tone), followed by a quick little pop on the leash. Immediately tell him to "come" (in a positive tone) - you may have to run backwards to kick in his play/prey drive toward you and reward/treat him for turning away from the chicks and focusing on you.
Unfortunately, now that he's had the taste of the chicken and the reward of catching one, this is not going to be an easy task to train him out of. Management is going to be the key.

Beth
(dog trainer in my "spare" time)
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom