Dog got in the chicken coop

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

I left the door to the temporary coop/woodshed open last night. I figured since my dog's run is right next to the chicken run I wouldn't have to worry about any predators. I DID NOT expect my dog to manage to dig out of her run and into the chicken's (she's never, ever dug holes in the 9 years I've owned her). She killed every single one of the chickens I bought from tractor supply, all 30 of them.

Thankfully my adult bantams are in a separate part of the wood shed she did not get into and my littlest chicks are still in the house. I'm so glad I didn't have time to get them outside with the rest of them yesterday or she probably would have gotten to them too. My brooder in the woodshed is not secure enough to keep anything out.

After this I'm really thinking of having my dog put down. If she would have gotten loose in the area it could have been disastrous. I don't need her killing someone else's animals. I've had her for years and there is just no training her killer instincts out of her.

 

[centrarchid]

I would invest in getting dog safe around livestock owned by you and neighbors. Problem you had was not caused by dog. That same dog, even now could be an asset with respect to your birds.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

My dog's had severe behavior problems since I've owned her. I have spoken to a professional behaviorist and even though she normally hates recommending medications to treat behavior problems that was the only solution we could come up with. The meds only worked for a short period of time though. I've had her for 9 years and no matter the training or meds nothing works. This is kind of the last straw in a long line of incidents. She's a danger to any animal she comes in contact with and I can't risk that anymore. 30 birds was a large chunk of money and now I need to start all over with new chicks.

I have other dogs to guard the livestock, ones that won't eat them.

 

[centrarchid]

Time for a new trainer, probably one that is not as good or well paid but otherwise knows how to get job done.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Some dogs can't be fixed by training. Some dogs are broken beyond repair. Some dogs are born with something just not right in their brains that makes training them impossible. Dogs can have mental disabilities just like people, but we are only starting to realize this.

I've worked with rescue dogs for years and in shelters. Sometimes you need to know when it's time to let a dog go and find peace in death. I'm not making the decision lightly or because she killed my chickens - this is not the first time she's killed one of my animals. I've had this dog for years. She was the first dog I rescued and I've worked tirelessly to make her better, but she is never going to get better and I've known this for a while. I don't want to see her suffer anymore and I don't want my other animals to suffer because I can't let her go.

Should I continue to keep her when she is not happy and never will be? I can't bring her in the house, I have a small child and other dogs and cats. Should I bring her to a shelter where she will go kennel crazy or be put down, because no one is ever going to adopt her (she's considered a senior dog which is bad enough without the behavior problems).

I'm no stranger to rehabilitating dog, but sometime you need to know when to give up and let go.

 

[coloradoalice]

I think it sounds like you know what you need to do.

There are lots of dogs without bad issues and not nearly enough homes for them. If you think the dog is truly beyond all training and the kindest thing would be to put it down then you should call your vet and make an appointment.

I put down a dog who we could not train out of trying to dominate our baby, eventually he bit her, after months of training and hiring a behaviorist. I felt putting him down was the most kind thing we could that at that point. I have a friend who had a dog with issues who finally snapped and attacked another dog for no reason. She had him put down. It is the most responsible thing in some cases. I've owned many many dogs and worked in rescue. Not every dog can be retrained or rehomed.

 

[Baymule]

Sometimes you just know when to throw in the towel. None of know your dog like you do. We can offer advice which may or may not apply to your dog and your situation, but most of all, we can offer support. Sorry you have to do this.

 

[countrycakelady]

IMO, you should never have left the coop open for your dog or anything else to come in....a dog's first instinct, at least most of the ones I have ever known, was to hunt and kill...sorry for your tremendous loss....

 

[Mattemma]

Your dog has behavior issues.You have tried. Put her down and move on.I see no reason to continue on with a dog that makes you miserable. Even if it never bothered chickens before I would not let a dog have access to my chickens. Better luck with the next dog.

 

[centrarchid]

There is nothing in the postings of this thread that indicates anyone has solid experience with dogs and poultry / livestock. Experience as a trainer does not always cut it as local dog trainers here often have similar difficulties when training dogs with poultry. I have seem numerous times where parties with dog simply did not understand dog and botched efforts to get dog into shape. I all instances I have seen where dog was deemed beyond redemption, it was the owner that was the problem where dog was kept like a wicked step child. Finding another owner for dog would be better.