Dog and Chicken Playing

[dalkeithowner]

Our 4 month old Shiba Inu and our Chicken love to play:

Do dogs that grow up playing with chicken usually continue to do so though? Or do they eventually become overcome by the hunting instinct and will go for the not so desired kill?
Another video is here:

 

[foreverlearning]

It depends on the dog. What you have shown looks like normal play between pack mates. As long as he sees them as part of his pack you shouldn't have a problem. I have 2 active bird hunting dogs that accept my chickens as part of their pack. They protect the flock, helps warm chicks that are outside, and herds them into the coop when there is a predator around. They don't play with the flock but love to take naps with them.

 

[dalkeithowner]

I'm hoping it will stay that way. I'm taking the pup into the run every time I feed them now, hoping it'll help him see them as part of the pack.

 

[Henny]

I just got such a kick out of your videos! I've never seen a chicken and dog carry on like that! I think that as long as you continue with what you are doing-- taking him with you when you go to the chickens, keeping a really close eye on him and correcting him if he gets too carried away he will be fine in time.
I have 2 dogs--a blue heeler and a blue heeler/black lab mix. When they were puppies they would chase the chickens all the time when I would go out to tend the chickens. I would tell them "no" if they started to chase them and praise them when they listened. I would give them a treat and praise when they came to me and left the chickens alone.
And, yes, sadly they did kill a few. It was my fault as I left them unsupervised and they got carried away with their play.
In time they learned to leave them alone. Now they look out after them.
The other day while I was looking out the window I saw 2 of my roosters starting to fight. Their hackles were up and they started to jump at each other. My blue heeler was standing right next to them. All of a sudden she grabbed one by the head and pulled it away! I thought oh boy that was going to be the end of that rooster! Well, she just let it go!! And then she herded the 2 of them back to the chicken coop. I couldn't believe she knew to break up a rooster fight. I really wonder what was going through her mind? She is 2 yrs old now and has calmed down and learned alot. She is very smart. I think she learned a lot of chicken lessons on her own that I wasn't able to teach her!