1 year old labradoodle with chickens

[TarzansJane]

We have 14 chickens and 1 labradoodle puppy (1 year) any suggestions on them getting along. We've been able to let the chickens run from chicken tractor to coop while pup sits and stays .. He's a smart boy. But we have lots of land and would love to eventually free range some of the time. Any thoughts? I don't think he would intentionally hurt them he's such a lover... But I do think he sees them as squeak toys with the stuffing on the outside lol.

 

[sourland]

It appears that you have worked at training him - well done. Have you taught the command 'leave it'? Keep him on a long lead and use 'leave it!' if he gets too close to the chickens. It is generally not a good idea to leave a young dog alone with chickens. Work with him and I think that things will go well.

 

[Werin]

It appears that you have worked at training him - well done. Have you taught the command 'leave it'? Keep him on a long lead and use 'leave it!' if he gets too close to the chickens. It is generally not a good idea to leave a young dog alone with chickens. Work with him and I think that things will go well.

x2

When I brought new chickens at the first time, I let dogs watch the chicks only from behind the fence. It took me a few weeks to be certain that they understood these chicks are new members of the pack; their expression was kind of indifferent towards the chickens. My dogs can also help chasing off stray cats and water monitors.

 

[CrazyTalk]

I don't think he would intentionally hurt them he's such a lover... But I do think he sees them as squeak toys with the stuffing on the outside lol.

Forget that hes a lover. Chickens ARE squeak toys. A huge percentage of the problems people have with dogs and chickens start with giving the dog too much lattitude and then trying to train away a behavior that is extremely rewarding.

Dogs are predators, and they eat mostly small animals. Start with that idea and you'll be better off. Work slowly, mostly on leash, and don't increase the freedom of exposure until you're sure the dog can handle it. Reward the dog for being calm around the chickens, for not going after them when they act like prey animals, etc. Take the dog out with you every time you go to the chicken coop - even if it's just making him sit-stay outside while you're inside - you want him to consider the chickens running around to be a normal part of life.

It sounds like you're on the right path - the "make him sit and then let the birds run" is one of the things I've had good luck with - when training mine to deal with the sheep and all the poultry (runner ducks are a nightmare for this - training dogs to chickens is easy) is to basically make the dog sit, pet him and tell him hes a good boy (but keep physical control of him), and have someone let the animals out of their enclosure - you need to be able to maintain the dog's focus while they're running out though (the typical 'look at me' and 'stay' commands) - after a couple weeks of that they've usually got very little interest in chasing them. Then you start working on just telling the dog to sit-stay and letting the animals out (on a hanging leash so you can grab it if necessary).

One of the things I think was helpful for me was that i'd sit out in the yard under a tree with the dog on leash, and read. The dog lying/sleeping out there and things generally being peaceful while the animals roamed about - you want to reward the dog for any sort of situation like this - where he's calm, happy, and relaxed around them.

I'm working with a second dog now (who will spend the days outside with the 1st one) and its a stark reminder of how strong the temptation is to say "he's ready" when hes really not. Late is better than too early here.

 

[TarzansJane]

I'm off today so we've spent quite a bit of time taking chickens in and out of tractor to test/train Argon the puppy. (Yes my husband named him). He's done quite well and even when whitey didn't want to go in the tractor and ran all around the outside argon crept up curiously but I kept saying no and stay. He left her alone and she was able to go into the tractor unharmed. Slow steady progress is what I'm learning. Repeat repeat repeat... Lol

 

[aart]

I'm off today so we've spent quite a bit of time taking chickens in and out of tractor to test/train Argon the puppy. (Yes my husband named him). He's done quite well and even when whitey didn't want to go in the tractor and ran all around the outside argon crept up curiously but I kept saying no and stay. He left her alone and she was able to go into the tractor unharmed. Slow steady progress is what I'm learning. Repeat repeat repeat... Lol

Yep....be clear and consistent, don't let them get into trouble by trusting them too much too soon...they're puppies til at least 2 years old.

Hopefully it's got more poodle than lab in it's behavior, poodles are smart as heck

 

[TarzansJane]

He's doing sooo good!!! This was last night! I put all but two away and he mingled a little with me reassuring him to behave. He seemed to be very curious to check out where they were and followed them around. Not ready to leave them alone yet that's for sure but we are making progress. Now on to worrying about last nights visitor right after putting girls away for the night... A huge black bear!!!! Yikes

 

[CrazyTalk]

Not a fan of bears.


The posture is a little more curious than I'd like - but it looks like progress. Anything that's not chasing is a good sign. Is that a pear tree by chance?

 

[TarzansJane]

Apple tree although we do have a pear tree too!

 

[centrarchid]

We have 14 chickens and 1 labradoodle puppy (1 year) any suggestions on them getting along. We've been able to let the chickens run from chicken tractor to coop while pup sits and stays .. He's a smart boy. But we have lots of land and would love to eventually free range some of the time. Any thoughts? I don't think he would intentionally hurt them he's such a lover... But I do think he sees them as squeak toys with the stuffing on the outside lol.

Start working on dog having other interest when chickens present. Simply not going after birds as a response to a command is only the first step. When chickens are around get dog interesting in other targets of interest. My dogs have been allowed to divert interest first to rabbits and voles which puts dogs in direct competition with predators of greatest concern. We eat a good number of the mammals but they are not wiped out. Chickens even help cleaning up rabbit when dogs can not get it all down.

Allow at least 18 months before fully trusting dog alone around chickens. My most recent female took a solid two years.