can you train a dog to not hurt your chickens?

[Gingersnap722]

he was half cocker spaniel and half border collie, a very sweet dog that loved me very much. Best of buddies, going everywhere together. Most people don't spend as much time with their pets as I did that dog. When I went away to college he died. My dad said of a broken heart.

Well geez, that made me tear up...I know how it feels to love your dogs that way and have them feel the same. I think Jackie (the one I posted with the chick) would die if anything ever happened to me. She is glued to me 24/7.

 

[smarsh]

yeah, I am 57 now and it still teared me up a little too.

 

[Gingersnap722]

yeah, I am 57 now and it still teared me up a little too.

 

[angelbrenn]

I have a three-year-old basset hound and he has very little interest in the chicken he does like to sniff their butts and make him jump I don't think he would ever bite them. He has been around chickens for year and a half and I have left him home alone with the chickens out in our small backyard and he has never hurt one.I just got a German Shepherd puppy and she's going to be a challenge

 

[Luckybaby]

My two German Shepherds are excellent with our chicks and chickens. We've always had them around the chicks, so maybe that's why. They definitely know the difference between the chickens and birds and other animals. They'll chase squirrels, cattle egrets etc., but won't harm the chickens.

Here is Jackie three years ago with one of the chicks from our first little flock.

My mom's labrador retriever doesn't want to hurt or chase my two birds that is beside her cage when she was young. She chases wild birds, chickens and cats, and last year she manages to kill one chick. Maybe If I did the same method as you did when she was still a puppy, then I might not have any problems with her regarding my cats and chickens.

 

[Luckybaby]

yes, it's possible, even in an older dog.

I have 4 dogs, 3 of which wanted to attack my chickens. Like you said, my dogs were used to seeing the chickens in their run. Once they came out though, they wanted to chase them.

I took one dog at a time on a leash around the chickens and told them "no!" (With a leash correction) if they showed interest in the chickens. After a while, the dog knows it will be corrected when it looks at the chickens. Put your dog in a sit/stay if possible while around the chickens. If you can get that to work, you can let the leash down and stand in the end, correct the dog if it makes an attempt to move towards the birds. Eventually, your dog will know he'll be reprimanded if he pays any attention to the chickens.
My chickens got used to the dogs keeping their distance so when one came close, the chickens actually attacked the dog which sent him running! One time, one of the dogs had the nerve to go into the run to scope out scraps. When a chicken realized an interloper was in the run, she rushed in and pecked the dog until she ran out whimpering.

Will it work for cats too?

 

[number9]

I have a little Feist that I would trust with my adult birds. He is about the color of a BO and I think the chickens thought he was one of them since the size about the same. My neighbor has an old dog that is about blind and can't hardly see or hear and a Pomeranian cross. They all got along with the chickens until his mom and then his dad both passed away. He inherited a very big wooly dog by the name of Bear and the name fits.
One day my three hens were out and my dog Bigen was in the house with me. He started barking about to tear the door down wanting out. I opened the door and sow Foxy the Pomeranian running around the end of the house. I didn't think much about it because they are always chasing squirrels.
A little later I looked out the door and there was feathers all over the yard. I ran out looking for my hens and could not find any. I went behind the shed and Bigen was had hold of a still live hen trying to pull her into the woods because he knew he was in big trouble. I started yelling and he finally let go and I grabbed up the hen and put her in the hen house. The only sign of my BO was her feathers everywhere. My black hen no where to be found and not a feather. I did what I could for the saved hen but she didn't make it through the night. Just goes to show the pack instinct. IF one chases they all will.
The next morning I let Bigen out to go water the trees while I took a shower. I go to the gym every morning so I got ready and as I was leaving there was my black hen dead by the drive. Bigen had found her a killed her too.
I have had Bigen for almost 4 years and we are pretty close I could never get rid of him but I came close that day. To make a long story short I bought a training collar for him. It has 3 settings. a vibrate, A low shock which is just enough to let you know its there, and a high shock that is a pretty good jolt. Now when ever we go out to feed the chickens he wears the collar. So far the vibrate has been enough and when he gets too close to the pen I say NO and vibrate him alittle. So far seems to be working (2 weeks) If I run into any problems I will let you know.

 

[Lizzyliz246]

Marker/Clicker train x 20. Dogs are naturally going to chase when the chickens run away from them, but ours learned really quick. If you have more then one dog, work with one dog with the flock at a time, otherwise you will want to scream when they all start chasing! Feed the dogs a really really good treat around your chickens, so they totally forget about the chickens and only think about you, ours love puperoni and natural balance......... Hope this helps...

 

[Lizzyliz246]

BTW, we have an English Mastiff, and a Terrier mix....

 

[GAchickennewbie]

My giant schnauzer, Deja, has helped me take care of the chickens since we adopted her from the shelter. It allows her to exercise her herding instinct.

My lab mix, Jake, another rescue that we've had for 8 years, was the one I was worried about with his prey drive.

The dogs are brought out on leash when Tender is free-ranging in the backyard. Once they see her, they receive the leave it command, are let off leash, and leave her alone.

It's pretty much like any other aspect of training. Respect for the handler will give you incredible results that you never thought possible.

They have also been introduced to the new chicks and given the "leave it" command so they know they are off limits as well.