Dog Training Around Chickens

[Briza]

My dog seems to think that my 2 month old chicks are tennis balls. She doesn't shake them when she catches them and the birds are fine afterwards but I know the stress of being carried around by a puppy can't be good for them. The one bird that she was caught doing it to went into a brief shock but was up and acting normally within an hour so I don't know how many of them she's actually done this to. I never let the dog out unsupervised but there has been some miscommunication with my roommates and the dog is occasionally let out on her own by them when they forget.

Is there any way I can get her to stop? She's about 7 months old.

I'm not concerned about aggression as her demeanor remains playful throughout the supervised encounters she has with the chickens but she IS bigger than them and she plays rough with the one cat that will play with her(not bite-wise as she has excellent bite-inhibition but rather she pounces on him and she weighs about 50lbs). I'm more concerned that she will hurt them on accident and want to teach her that chickens are not playthings.

When I'm around she knows that I will scold her but I'm concerned she'll do it when I'm not looking. What can I do about that? Rub something on all the chickens that will taste nasty to her?

 

[GitaBooks]

We have trained our six dogs not to chase or catch our chickens by letting them know that the chickens are our animals and they have to leave them alone. It takes a calm, assertive leader to tell a dog not to chase something that seems like fun. Yelling is likely to make her more excited.

As she gets older she should calm down some. Be consistent and she should learn. The bitter spray could work, but the chickens may become oily and be unable to preen or be water-proof.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[dainerra]

You already know that he is excited with the chicks.   Find the closest distance that the dog first notices the birds in the brooder.  This might be in another room if he is one to constantly glance at the door.    Put your dog on leash and get some extra special treats that he only gets for this work - bacon, grilled chicken (no spices!), hot dog chunks, etc.     When the dog glances toward the birds, say his name and "leave it"    If he looks at you, give him a treat - if he doesn't, give a light pop on the leash (think tap on the shoulder).  When he looks at you reward him.  
You can also teach him "watch me" the same way.   You can practice this at random times though out the day.   If you have a couple extra minutes while you're watching TV or whatever, just say his name, pause, "watch me"   When he makes eye contact, then reward him.    You can also (if you get in the habit of keeping a small treat in your pockets) catch him looking towards you say "watch me" and then reward.  Or just praise him verbally.
 
Once the dog is reliably paying attention to you and the birds at a distance, move a little bit closer.   If he absolutely blows you off, you're too close.  Just back up a bit and begin again.   Eventually you will be right amongst the birds.    You can then start at a distance or with a long line (20' leash or so) and work from there.    I never ever leave my dogs/chickens loose unattended together.  
I don't even trust Rayden

I don't mean I constantly hover over the dogs when they are out with the birds, but I am in the area and aware of what they are doing.   Think of it as a small child.  Even though you've taught them not to play with matches, would you leave them alone in the house with matches scattered all over the floor?
 
The most important part of the training is to set the dog up to succeed.   Don't give him a chance to chase the birds.  Don't give him a chance to disobey.  
 
ETA:  The best thing about teaching "leave it" is that it works for everything.   Drop something on the floor and don't want the dogs to touch it?  "leave it"    See dog running toward a snake?  "leave it"     Lots of training and work, but it pays off!
Of course, some dogs just can't be trusted off-leash.  Period.   They are just too focused on the birds.  In that case, just confine the dog when the birds are out.   

 

[dainerra]

most dogs don't kill chickens because they are aggressive. they are simply playful and chickens are fragile.

 

[GitaBooks]

most dogs don't kill chickens because they are aggressive. they are simply playful and chickens are fragile.

THAT IS SUCH A CUTE PICTURE!!