Airedale Terriers and Cochin Bantams
- Thread starter sheilawagner
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #12
Hi Arthur,
It is possible to train an Airedale to do anything, since having one yourself, I'm sure you are amazed by their learning prowess. But since this is a chicken site, I shall keep it as relevant as possible. Focus on those cute chickies.
Training the Airedales to love the chicks is easy. Appeal to their need to protect.
I involved my Airedales in almost every aspect of raising the chicks, so they are present right from the get go, and feel as if they are important in the process as well. When welcoming new pack members into the fold, I take ownership of the chicks wholly as their alpha, and they have to accept whatever I do, so when I went to the Post Office to pick up my order of chicks, I took the dogs with me, I left the car windows open so when I came out with the box of chirping birds, they could hear it, smell it, and feel their presence with me as I came to the car. Reaching them, I would tell them to "leave it" and put the box on the passenger side as we went home.
Getting home, the brooder would already be ready, and I would tell the dogs to "Sit" or "Down" and then slowly open the box, not to scare the chicks. The dogs would have to be calm, or I wouldn't open the box. Then one by one, I would hold a chick for the dogs to sniff and see, and then dip its beak into the water feeder and let it be in the brooder. I will do the same thing for each and every chick for both my Airedales.
After that, the routine is the same, every day, we would spend time with the chicks, feeding them, watering them, and I'd give oats as a special treat to the chicks while the dogs are on a "down", so the chicks also associate that big furry faces and the big black nose = food, safety, comfort and warmth. The chicks love having the dogs, as their surrogate parents, and the dogs love having something to protect. The key is to ensure that when you take the chicks out from the brooder to socialize with the dogs, the dogs must be in a calm submissive state. If they are on a hunt mode, then the chicks would sense it, and the practice session would be impossible.
I started this method out with a batch of Plymouth rocks chicks which we bought at the store, they aren't as cute or fancy like Cochins or Polish, but they are now adults and it proved the method worked. I guess you can say they were my experimental batch of chicks.
My batch of rocks are now adults free ranging, and they are still very close to my dogs.
When there is danger, (neighbor dogs loose on the road, or strange cars, or whatever) the dogs sound the alarm, and the birds obey. They will go into hiding when the dogs do the protective zoom around the property. Very cute to watch as well.
Running with the flock.
Thank you guys for all the nice compliments, I love my dogs and I love my chicks. So So much. I will post more cute pics as I go.
It is possible to train an Airedale to do anything, since having one yourself, I'm sure you are amazed by their learning prowess. But since this is a chicken site, I shall keep it as relevant as possible. Focus on those cute chickies.
Training the Airedales to love the chicks is easy. Appeal to their need to protect.
I involved my Airedales in almost every aspect of raising the chicks, so they are present right from the get go, and feel as if they are important in the process as well. When welcoming new pack members into the fold, I take ownership of the chicks wholly as their alpha, and they have to accept whatever I do, so when I went to the Post Office to pick up my order of chicks, I took the dogs with me, I left the car windows open so when I came out with the box of chirping birds, they could hear it, smell it, and feel their presence with me as I came to the car. Reaching them, I would tell them to "leave it" and put the box on the passenger side as we went home.
Getting home, the brooder would already be ready, and I would tell the dogs to "Sit" or "Down" and then slowly open the box, not to scare the chicks. The dogs would have to be calm, or I wouldn't open the box. Then one by one, I would hold a chick for the dogs to sniff and see, and then dip its beak into the water feeder and let it be in the brooder. I will do the same thing for each and every chick for both my Airedales.
After that, the routine is the same, every day, we would spend time with the chicks, feeding them, watering them, and I'd give oats as a special treat to the chicks while the dogs are on a "down", so the chicks also associate that big furry faces and the big black nose = food, safety, comfort and warmth. The chicks love having the dogs, as their surrogate parents, and the dogs love having something to protect. The key is to ensure that when you take the chicks out from the brooder to socialize with the dogs, the dogs must be in a calm submissive state. If they are on a hunt mode, then the chicks would sense it, and the practice session would be impossible.
I started this method out with a batch of Plymouth rocks chicks which we bought at the store, they aren't as cute or fancy like Cochins or Polish, but they are now adults and it proved the method worked. I guess you can say they were my experimental batch of chicks.
My batch of rocks are now adults free ranging, and they are still very close to my dogs.
When there is danger, (neighbor dogs loose on the road, or strange cars, or whatever) the dogs sound the alarm, and the birds obey. They will go into hiding when the dogs do the protective zoom around the property. Very cute to watch as well.
Running with the flock.
Thank you guys for all the nice compliments, I love my dogs and I love my chicks. So So much. I will post more cute pics as I go.
Beautiful dogs, and great pictures!
OH! I love your success story and photos! Great job I know that is hard work. (For you and the dogs!)
Airedales were always my Mom's favorite breed of dog. They are an amazing animal, intelligent and protective.
I have a yorkie chihuahua mix that has always been with my chicks, and early on, had a very similar relationship. What we are running into now is the chickens are challenging her station in the pecking order (yes, they are all bigger than she is now). While it is funny to watch, I don't let it go on and challenge the chickens back when I see them do it because I don't want her to lose an eye to a sharp beak. All but one now leave her alone (still trying to break that one).
I have a yorkie chihuahua mix that has always been with my chicks, and early on, had a very similar relationship. What we are running into now is the chickens are challenging her station in the pecking order (yes, they are all bigger than she is now). While it is funny to watch, I don't let it go on and challenge the chickens back when I see them do it because I don't want her to lose an eye to a sharp beak. All but one now leave her alone (still trying to break that one).
Looks like our pit bull and chicks or kittens. Our Jack Russell is even getting to be that way, and we got her from the pound in February. Terriers are wonderful!
so very sweet
Hehe! You have GOOD Airedales. My Airedale mix Muppet wants to play squeaky toy with EVERYTHING!
I really hope Abby my airdale and ??? Mix is as well trained as I think she is. She obeys me without second thought most of the time but I am apprehensive about hatching chicks.
Admittedly though this thread gives me hope!
*fingers crossed*
Admittedly though this thread gives me hope!
*fingers crossed*
This is honestly the CUTEST thing that I've even seen! I love terriers, I have a Wheaten Terrier and I love him so much.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
-
duck is gasping. How to help?- Started by BlueO
- Replies: 0
-
-
-
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
How intense is your pecking order?
- Started by thecatumbrella
- Replies: 96
-
I know I’m probably going to upset some ppl, but I’m genuinely confused..- Started by z3lda3
- Replies: 91
-
-
