can you train a dog to not hurt your chickens?

[duchessofmoggie]

I have this old labrador/mastiff mixed type of dog. She is too nice with anybody that she lost her own doghouse and gave it to the chickens last summer. It turned out so filthy she could not stand the smell inside and she had no place to sleep. I took her in all Winter and I managed to clean the coop a warm day this Winter last January....it appears it is a place my hens feel secure it has posts in the ceilling where they love to perch......and two of my chickens ran out this Winter and i could easily catch them in the doghouse at night they remembered their perches they loved and went to sleep on them......I will have to do something next summer for my dog and my hens...it is a tough decision i need another place where my dog will not loose her sleeping area

 

[wardal]

I have Aussies and they love the girls, I guess any group is ok with them. He will try to fetch them and is very protective of them. I have Hawks and he is chasing them away.

 

[pnutj58]

I have a vizsla who, while never trained to hunt, is very "birdy," even pointing junkos and finches in the yard. It didn't occur to me that it might be a problem for her when I brought two day-old chicks into the house last spring. Their constant peeping and cheeping drove her nuts for a few days, then she seemed to not really notice anymore. (We, were not so lucky with being able to tune them out.) Every day, I handled those chicks and every day, Lyssie was shown them. When they were moved outside to their coop, Lyssie took and interest in them for a few days, then left them alone. That said, she's had two altercations with them as adults. The first time, I saw no ruffled feathers on the two hens, but Lyssie started going way out of the way to avoid them when they were free in the yard. The second time, I had tossed some carrot peelings on the ground for the hens and Lyssie snuck up to get them. She is not food aggressive with us, but obviously she was protective of the carrot peelings. The second Lyssie made a move when one of the hens reached for her carrot peel, she was reprimanded in no uncertain terms. At this time, there have been no more problems with them together, but I don't leave Lyssie unattended with the hens. Then a couple of days ago, the hens were scratching over near the compost pile (which they've reduced to almost no pile at all) and I saw Lyssie stalking, then point. As I said, she hasn't been trained to hold the point so she suddenly took off like the proverbial bat out of hell, straight toward the hens. I didn't see the three small birds (sparrows? robins? not sure what kind) that had been reaping the rewards of the chicken scratching. They took to the air in a flash and Lyssie went after them, while the two hens were completely unimpressed and never even moved. The chase over, Lyssie went back to hunting what she most likes to hunt -- chicken poop.

.

 

[ShockValue]

We have 2 dogs in our home. 1 that has been with us for about 7 years, and the other is a newcomer and been around for about a year (both from the Human Society, about 8 and 3 years old respectively.)

I don't know why, but I was pretty confident that there would be no big issues since both of the dogs are part of our family (inside dogs, sleep at the foot of our bed, etc etc).

For one, I was right. It's like he doesn't even see the new chicks in the brooder and around the house. He is the younger of the two.

The other one, the one who has been with us 7 years has proven to be an issue.

He has free access to the garage (where we keep the brooder) and has shown some interest, but never in an aggressive way. Pokes his head over the edge, sniffs a little, watches a little, and then wanders away to find his water dish. Great - I thought!

Then about two weeks ago my daughter had one of the chicks in her hands, standing near the brooder. Dog trots over and snatches the chick out of her hands and flings it.

Dead chick.

For the last 2 weeks, same routine. Sniffs the brooder occasionally, but doesn't show any sign of actually trying to get AT the chicks.

This morning, one of our more fiesty chicks learns how to fly out of the brooder. My wife sees it, but isn't in time. The dog RACES over, grabs the chick, flings it.

Dead chick.

We're all still a little in shock and were hoping that the first time was an isolated incident. Obviously we were being nieve.

Just because we don't know what else to do, our current plan is to sit the dog next to us with the chick in our hands (very well covered) and see if we can introduce them this way, to try and teach him "friend not foe".

But we are very open to and hopeful for suggestions. Chicks are 4-5 weeks old at this point.

Mostly right now we just feel guilty. Adults are supposed to know better than "Oh they'll probably be fine...." when it comes to small animals and dogs. It's traumatizing to see something you've grown attached to get killed in front of you. Doubly so because we have a 6 year old helping us raise them, who of course is affected even more.

 

[GAchickennewbie]

We have 2 dogs in our home. 1 that has been with us for about 7 years, and the other is a newcomer and been around for about a year (both from the Human Society, about 8 and 3 years old respectively.)

I don't know why, but I was pretty confident that there would be no big issues since both of the dogs are part of our family (inside dogs, sleep at the foot of our bed, etc etc).

For one, I was right. It's like he doesn't even see the new chicks in the brooder and around the house. He is the younger of the two.

The other one, the one who has been with us 7 years has proven to be an issue.

He has free access to the garage (where we keep the brooder) and has shown some interest, but never in an aggressive way. Pokes his head over the edge, sniffs a little, watches a little, and then wanders away to find his water dish. Great - I thought!

Then about two weeks ago my daughter had one of the chicks in her hands, standing near the brooder. Dog trots over and snatches the chick out of her hands and flings it.

Dead chick.

For the last 2 weeks, same routine. Sniffs the brooder occasionally, but doesn't show any sign of actually trying to get AT the chicks.

This morning, one of our more fiesty chicks learns how to fly out of the brooder. My wife sees it, but isn't in time. The dog RACES over, grabs the chick, flings it.

Dead chick.

We're all still a little in shock and were hoping that the first time was an isolated incident. Obviously we were being nieve.

Just because we don't know what else to do, our current plan is to sit the dog next to us with the chick in our hands (very well covered) and see if we can introduce them this way, to try and teach him "friend not foe".

But we are very open to and hopeful for suggestions. Chicks are 4-5 weeks old at this point.

Mostly right now we just feel guilty. Adults are supposed to know better than "Oh they'll probably be fine...." when it comes to small animals and dogs. It's traumatizing to see something you've grown attached to get killed in front of you. Doubly so because we have a 6 year old helping us raise them, who of course is affected even more.

I am so sorry for your loss. Learning how our dogs will respond to situations isn't always easy, but it's no one's fault.

From the behavior you're describing, it sounds like he's curious and thinks the chick is a toy. I've had to work with my dogs on chicks myself. What I do is teach them "baby". When they hear "baby", they know they aren't allowed to touch it. Make sure the dog is calm at all times and doesn't get excited at all. If he does, correct him firmly. A sharp "leave it" works with mine, but for each owner it's different.

Mine know they can see the baby, they can smell the baby, but they aren't allowed to touch the baby. Baby is an introduction word and to let them know it's a pack member, not food or a toy. "Leave it" is a harsher command that tells them they have to back off right then and there.

 

[Gingersnap722]

I have a vizsla who, while never trained to hunt, is very "birdy," even pointing junkos and finches in the yard. It didn't occur to me that it might be a problem for her when I brought two day-old chicks into the house last spring. Their constant peeping and cheeping drove her nuts for a few days, then she seemed to not really notice anymore. (We, were not so lucky with being able to tune them out.) Every day, I handled those chicks and every day, Lyssie was shown them. When they were moved outside to their coop, Lyssie took and interest in them for a few days, then left them alone. That said, she's had two altercations with them as adults. The first time, I saw no ruffled feathers on the two hens, but Lyssie started going way out of the way to avoid them when they were free in the yard. The second time, I had tossed some carrot peelings on the ground for the hens and Lyssie snuck up to get them. She is not food aggressive with us, but obviously she was protective of the carrot peelings. The second Lyssie made a move when one of the hens reached for her carrot peel, she was reprimanded in no uncertain terms. At this time, there have been no more problems with them together, but I don't leave Lyssie unattended with the hens. Then a couple of days ago, the hens were scratching over near the compost pile (which they've reduced to almost no pile at all) and I saw Lyssie stalking, then point. As I said, she hasn't been trained to hold the point so she suddenly took off like the proverbial bat out of hell, straight toward the hens. I didn't see the three small birds (sparrows? robins? not sure what kind) that had been reaping the rewards of the chicken scratching. They took to the air in a flash and Lyssie went after them, while the two hens were completely unimpressed and never even moved. The chase over, Lyssie went back to hunting what she most likes to hunt -- chicken poop.

.

Lol!! My two German Shepherds will chase squirrels, other birds, etc. etc., but won't mess with the chickens at all.

 

[whiterock]

I think it depends on the breed. My collie was found with the chicks sleeping between his paws and he would not get up to come in because he was protecting them. but other breeds?? don't know which I would trust. but the hunter type might not do to well!

 

[jruhle]

I received a second hand German Shepard that was "out of control" and she at first chased the birds but after I took her with me when I fed them now she is great if anything concerned about the chickens. Still likes to chase the ducks though.

 

[djkCR14]

I have two West Highland White females. One, (Tami), is show quality and has been worked with a lot and kept cleaner, etc. She was recently bred and yesterday she gave birth to 4 little girl pups. My other Westie (Kaili), has been outside in the yard by herself for awhile now. I know she's lonely, but she's always been one who will go after something and there's nothing you can do to distract her attention. Then I have my chickens who are closed up at night, but they roam free around the house. I rarely ever have problems with them. Most of them learned early not to go into the yard. I've caught Kaili on more than one occasion chasing chickens around in the yard and they're screeching - so I know I gotta save them quick. Every time she does this, I get after her, but I'm sure it's in their nature to do this as well, as they are known for "ground dogs" for rodents, etc. Well, for some time I haven't had any trouble, the chickens stay out of the yard and go around the house to get to they other side without a problem. Well, the other day, the chicks that recently hatched went through the fence into the yard. I heard the ruckus and went right out to check. Sure enough Kaili is proudly standing over her kill. Thank God it was only one, the others got away. But I don't know if I will ever break her of this. Tami never gives me a problem, she doesn't even join in if she's outside, but just watches from a distance.
Anyway, I didn't read any other messages here yet cuz I didn't have time now, but I will ~ ~ cause I desperately need to know if there's a solution to this! I will check back later! Blessings to all!

 

[laughingdog]

I've worked in "dangerous dog breeds" rescue in a major tricities up north(baiter and winning fighting pits fought every night one or more times some to death sadly for few years), wolf hybrids, private security, police and military k-9 unites), and rescued hunting type and farm dogs now down south (collies, coon hounds, registered coyote hybrid breeds and just mixes of them, ect). any dog I've found can be trained, but its how you can train yourself to show dogs how they would obey and even just understand you (i was shown by old pros, better even than the tv canine trainers psychologists and behaviouralogists.. that all went on about, some breeds bred to communicate and have smarts to do what we want with or without us around, are easy for more to work with. problem is.. most of these breeds are very smart and hyper because of and accordingly (shepherds, collies, bully breeds, terriers). personal dogs of mine I've had best easiest "training" with are: german shepherds, rough collies, border collies, Staffordshire bull terriers, and pitbulls. worst were: coon hounds, most hounds, and terriers (yeah best and/or worst), Australian cattle dogs/heelers, (one young one protects the foul rabbits ect, but still has bred in instinct to bite bite bite and want restrained to go for the kill as herds them breaks up their fights or coming back from obliterating preds).