dog training question

[gaited horse]

i am a huge cesar millan fan watched all his episods but a few because i had to go to the stable but i saw him use a shock collar

 

[Adri]

Sounds like you are doing a great job with him. And I think you've already got some great training advice. I just wanted to share my experience with our dog.

When we first got our chickens, I set up a crate in the garage next to the brooder box. I put my pointer, Puck, (a 3 year old bird-crazed hunter) in it whenever we were there doing something with the chicks and then I would leave him there for 1/2 hour at a time. I made a point of holding the chicks near him. The command "leave it" was invaluable and once he was able to remain calm when they were held near him, he was allowed to sniff them. My real aim was to desensitize him enough that he did not rush or lunge at the fence once the chickens were outside in the yard.

When we moved the chickens to the coop, we tied him out next to for short periods. Soon we found that when he was loose in the yard, he would often lie in front of the chickenyard gate and the chickens would flock to him and talk to him. When visiting dogs come near their yard, they all run into the coop. When a neighbour's poodle recently ran onto our property and rushed up to the fence, Puck, who is normally VERY friendly with other dogs, was fiercely barking, growling and chasing the dog away from the coop. When the chickens have gotten out of their yard (before we put netting over top), he didn't respond at all, he just lay there and occasionally sniffed a passing bird. And yet he will still chase wild birds that he sees at the feeder and will hunt gamebirds.

Our new puppy is growing up with the chickens, and is learning a lot about being a chicken guard dog from Puck.

 

[BeardedChick]

Thanks - I like the idea of crating or tying him by the chicken area when I'm working nearby in the garden. That would be an easy way to do some long periods of desensitization.

I remember Cesar using the e-collar on the one episode with the farm dog that was biting vehicle tires. Were there any others?

 

[KellyGwen]

This is a great dog training thread! I have my dog (a vicious chihuahua

) kenneled by the chicken run during the day. She used to really want to "get" the chickens, but now they work together. She barks at something suspicious and the chickens all look and the roosters crow... Cooperative lookouts! I still wouldn't trust her with them, but they don't free range (too many dogs, cats and critters around) so it isn't really an issue here.

Anyway, the reason I felt the need to post again on here is that even though I know you mean electronic collar when you say "e-collar" I can't help but think of this...

It's just a funny mental image...

 

[BeardedChick]

Oh, the poodle has one of those e-collars, too. He hasn't figure out that he can move when it's on - good way to freeze a poodle in time.

Guess I could just put THAT on him and stand him in the middle of the chicken yard.

 

[texasreb]

Excellent thread!

I especially valued your information, walkswithdog.

 

[walkswithdog]

Thanks for the nice words folks. Dogs just happen to be my thing. Ending up needing a service dog has never been a problem for me. Always prefered them over a lot of those strange folks out there anyhow.

I'm working like the devil on my coop in the rain... Made louvers for one window. Will make more tomorrow.

The feathernutters here have addicted me badly and I can't hardly stand to wait til after our trip any more, surely I can find someone to look after some young birds still confined to coop and pen??? <<innocent blinking>>

Every thread with hatching and incubating and selling cochins has me dropping over with envy...

I've already printed out Miss Prissy's incubator plans...

I've been totally corrupted ... it is SOOO kewl.

 

[BeardedChick]

I spoke with my vet and she thought the shock collar would be appropriate for training my guy... Especially since he's a poodle mix and the other part of him appears to be TERRIER!

There's bits of wiry fur under that fluffy coat.

She also said to get him a Halti and not use a slip collar since he's still pulling quite a bit on his walks.

So we are going to work at this judiciously and methodically. The book says to set the collar to the lowest level where he shows any response (like an ear twitch). We will do some long-lead 'Leave It' work tonight, and if he makes a run at the coop fence after that, he's going to get a correction... Just enough to get a response.

I have been doing the other work, and tying him near the fowl when I'm out doing chores. Hopefully it will all come together.

 

[BeardedChick]

OH, almost forgot, my cute little villian. No wonder he's so mean - look at what we make him wear!

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
I did the same thing and it worked like a charm...haven't had to reinforce since the one day of training!