Dog turned predator - how do I convince my husband to get rid of it?

[CHchickie86]

First off, I haven't ready every single response. Secondly, this dog has not 'turned predator', this is a very difficult breed to handle and is being mis-managed and is doing what any bored high-energy dog would do in the same situation.

My advice to the OP is that the next dog that comes to your family is thoroughly researched and not taken on sole advice from someone. Malinois are very particular dogs that need daily training and engagement. They absolutely are NOT a dog that is left on a line. Sky high prey drive, work drive and get bored within 3 seconds, there is a reason why they are mainly police dogs and only handled by professionals. Get a Pyrenees or some other type of large shepherd type breed that is meant to do the job within the conditions that are being presented. You need to sit down with your husband and explain to him that the dog you currently have is not fit for the job it needs to be doing.

If this doesn't happen than either a person or the dog is going to end up hurt. A no win situation if something isn't done immediately. And if none of the above doesn't stir something within your husband then you might have to make due on your statement of rehoming your birds and keeping yourself and your kids away from the dog.

 

[getaclue]

You indicate you are able to rehome the chickens without his objecting. Do it ASAP! That gets them out of immediate danger, shows that you are a responsible animal owner, and stops the trauma you and especially your children are experiencing by seeing the chickens killed. Secondly, offer him the following choice...He has two weeks to keep his word, and start the dog in a continued training regimen, whether he does it himself, or has someone else do it, otherwise you will get rid of the dog. Be up front with him about it. Either he keeps his word, or the dog is going. No begging, arguing, or anything else. Stand firm, and keep your word. Either he deals with this in the manner he should, or the dog is going to a home that can offer it what it needs. It's not a "me or the dog" choice.

 

[zazouse]

I think the point is, OP doesn't want the dog. She wants her husband to give it up. My question for you, OP, is - are you willing to give up your beloved chickens so your husband can have his dog, as you are expecting him to give up his beloved dog for your chickens? If you are both willing to work on training the dog, I believe compromise can be reached.

Very good post, this dog can be trained the Mal's are very intelligent, anytime you chain a dog or even pen it it has nothing to do but fixate on whatever captures it's attention cause it is board out of it's mind, i have trained all kinds of pups for farms over the years with great success, it takes time and patients lots of both many times.

Also wanted to mention with a dog like this in the area your birds are somewhat protected from predators because of it's presents, take the dog out of the picture and you may start having chickens disappear because the threat to the predators is no longer there, just sayen

How old is this dog?

 

[Pent]

Looks like you picked a good time to stop monitoring the thread; you've reached the point some consider "too long, didn't read" where you start getting repetitive answers, or answers that you've personally addressed already.

 

[SavageDestiny]

First off, I haven't ready every single response. Secondly, this dog has not 'turned predator', this is a very difficult breed to handle and is being mis-managed and is doing what any bored high-energy dog would do in the same situation.

My advice to the OP is that the next dog that comes to your family is thoroughly researched and not taken on sole advice from someone. Malinois are very particular dogs that need daily training and engagement. They absolutely are NOT a dog that is left on a line. Sky high prey drive, work drive and get bored within 3 seconds, there is a reason why they are mainly police dogs and only handled by professionals. Get a Pyrenees or some other type of large shepherd type breed that is meant to do the job within the conditions that are being presented. You need to sit down with your husband and explain to him that the dog you currently have is not fit for the job it needs to be doing.

If this doesn't happen than either a person or the dog is going to end up hurt. A no win situation if something isn't done immediately. And if none of the above doesn't stir something within your husband then you might have to make due on your statement of rehoming your birds and keeping yourself and your kids away from the dog.

There is NO breed of dog that is appropriate for being left on a tie out 24/7 and ignored. Which is the situation here. The husband got the dog, husband is never home and does not have time for said dog, OP has no time or interest. So the dog sits on a tie out with no interaction, no training, and no exercise. A dog breed that is "suitable" for that situation does not exist. Sure, there are breeds who would endure the misery quietly, and be "well behaved" so the OP couldn't complain about them, but that does NOT mean it is an appropriate situation for the dog.

This is not an appropriate home for ANY dog and the OP refuses to be firm with her husband who randomly acquires animals and then neglects them. Again, disgusting.

 

[Pent]

I'm assuming if the dog wasn't eating chickens, it wouldn't be tied out. If it was a calm, independent lsgd, it would likely have the run of the property. Some people leap to the attack. It's rude. It never helps. You advocate understanding in dogs, that all dogs are different and do not deserve abuse, then you go right on to abuse a poor pregnant woman going through a difficult time. Cyber bullying, look it up. There are calm, polite ways to say what you are saying, and they have been said. You cannot judge a woman by her behaviour while her hormones and husband are pushing her to the brink. Please, show your fellow human beings even a scrap of the compassion and understanding you seem to show for dogs, who are, while an emotional and intelligent animal, still an animal. Thank you.

 

[CHchickie86]

There is NO breed of dog that is appropriate for being left on a tie out 24/7 and ignored. Which is the situation here. The husband got the dog, husband is never home and does not have time for said dog, OP has no time or interest. So the dog sits on a tie out with no interaction, no training, and no exercise. A dog breed that is "suitable" for that situation does not exist. Sure, there are breeds who would endure the misery quietly, and be "well behaved" so the OP couldn't complain about them, but that does NOT mean it is an appropriate situation for the dog.

This is not an appropriate home for ANY dog and the OP refuses to be firm with her husband who randomly acquires animals and then neglects them. Again, disgusting.

Then you are not familiar with livestock guardian dogs which thrive on being outside 24/7 and are excellent guard dogs of both property and animals and need little human interaction.

 

[SavageDestiny]

Then you are not familiar with livestock guardian dogs which thrive on being outside 24/7 and are excellent guard dogs of both property and animals and need little human interaction.

Apparently you're the one not familiar with LGDs, since they do NOT live on tie outs. They have free run of the property and therefore get exercise, mental stimulation, and are satisfied bonding with their livestock and having a job. A LGD living on a tie out unable to range, be with its flock/herd, or effectively do its job would be miserable.

 

[CHchickie86]

Apparently you're the one not familiar with LGDs, since they do NOT live on tie outs. They have free run of the property and therefore get exercise, mental stimulation, and are satisfied bonding with their livestock and having a job. A LGD living on a tie out unable to range, be with its flock/herd, or effectively do its job would be miserable.

I said nothing about the LGD being on a tie out. All you've done in each of your posts is bash either the OP or other posters.

 

[SavageDestiny]

I said nothing about the LGD being on a tie out. All you've done in each of your posts is bash either the OP or other posters.

Um... you quoted my post where I was talking about a dog being on a tie out 24/7 and said I knew nothing about LGD and they would be fine. But thanks for playing.