Breaking Chicking Killing Dogs

[Lextextrapper]

Is there any way to break dogs from chasing/killing chickens? Getting rid of the dogs is not an option.

I live way out in the country and I hate to leave the dogs and or the chickens penned every day. I would like to be able to let them both run free every day, but the dogs like to kill chickens.

 

[Emzyyy]

tying the dead chicken around their necks? beating them with the dead chicken?

 

[lisahaschickens]

prey drive is a very strong instinct. It is my belief that once they've started, they can never be trusted again. However, I know that the Dog Whisperer did an episode about a dog that was killing chickens and he theoretically got it to stop. I don't know if it worked long term or not... but you should look up the episode... it's probably on YouTube or something. Personally, I keep my dogs and chickens very separate because I know there's no hope for mine.

 

[Lextextrapper]

Quote:
That doesn't work...I've tried.

 

[speckledhen]

Sometimes, you simply cannot do it with some dogs. The only way to be sure is either to pen up the birds or fence in the dog. I've had dogs the entire time I've had chickens, including one with a really high prey drive who died last year. The birds freeranged and the dogs had a fenced in area outside the bsmt door. Now that I have one dog and have perimeter fenced a large portion of my property, the dog on occasion gets to run loose, but while she does, the chickens are penned up. It's the only way to really be sure.

 

[shaggy]

same situation myself

it hasn't happened yet ... but it will ... when i am outside she just lays down and stares at them and shakes

 

[shaggy]

i'm doing research --- so i will post in links as i find them

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/predatory-aggression/page1.aspx

 

[Boyd]

my jack russel is the chicken terminator. Needless to say, she never leaves the house without a leash, or outside without being on her lunge line. If my babies get within her reach of the line....... well Darwin's law

If there is a way to break a dog, I would be very interested. I've worked with and trained dogs, and this isn't something they teach us

the dogs I usually work with are taught quite the opposite. Sick em and get em. I'd love to let my lapdog out walking around with me.

 

[shaggy]

Quote:
so far --- everything i read says that it is impossible to get a dog to stop acting on its predatory aggression instincts.

you can get them to stop while you are present, but not while they are alone

...... unless they are acting on territorial aggression instincts ... that can be fixed

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
Simple solution for me is let the chickens roam free in the daytime, then let the dogs free after cooping. This serves a dual purpose, if the dogs are aggressive to chickens there is very little possibiliy of a predator getting them in their sleep.

Our 14 year old wolf and 13 year old dog come and go through the day, they walk among the chickens foraging. Our 12 year old wolf relaxes during the day in the air conditioning, and is released after the foul are in the pens. He is let back in before the chickens and ducks are let out.

The only predators I have problems with are hawks, but that is to be expected if free ranging chickens unless you are going to create a HUGE covered run. Use the dog to your advantage, retraining the dog to a nocturnal creature is easier than breaking them of eating chickens, though it can be done.