Dogs & Chickens

[geojane42]

Just wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom regarding the whole old dogs/new chickens dynamic. We have two big, friendly dogs and I'm not worried about them hurting the chickens but they are a little overwhelming in their enthusiasm. We're having to alternate shifts in the yard now or keep the dogs tied up when the chickens are out. I'd like everyone to just get along and be able to be in the yard at the same time (with supervision). The dogs just go tearing up to the chickens then start play bowing trying to get them to play with them. Of course the chickens are not amused. We can call them off and tell them to 'leave it' but by then the damage is done and the chickens are spooked. Should we just give it a couple of weeks and let them sort it out like we did when we got the cat?

 

[Chicky Mama]

I'd suggest not letting them around the birds when excited. Try taking 'em on a walk first or if they wanna bolt out the door don't let them until they're calm, then put them in a down stay and reward it. Start seperately I'd think and eventually they should catch on that to be calm around the birds gets them something good.. I don't let my Pom pup in the pen unless he's calm cuz he'll do the same excited greeting and don't want anyone getting hurt. He does'nt get the chickens don't wrestle & sniff like dogs.

Same goes for leaving on a walk, calm & me first ,but it's not always easy to do with 2 Poms & 2 Grt.Pyrnees chompin' to get out back!There was an episode of the "Dog Whisperer" that delt with a lab and chickens...Cesar is amazing! Good Luck!

 

[jjthink]

Suggest reading the countless posts here on BYC (just do a search under "dog' or 'dogs') where folks thought they could trust their dogs and found all too sadly that they could not, and the birds paid the price. There are exceptions, as with just about everything, but I would be over-the-top cautious.
JJ

 

[geojane42]

Thx much!

I did actually search the forum and read a lot of posts before posting this as I know how annoying it is when new people post the same questions over and over again. However there isn't much about regarding the technicalities of the introduction. Chicky Mama's response is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for.

We actually have both dogs in intermediate obedience right now and distraction training is a big part of it so the timing is pretty good. I'm pretty solid on the dog training aspect but I don't know much about chickens so I don't know how stressful it is for them having the dogs around so I don't know exactly how much distraction work I can do with the dogs.

At the moment, the dogs get the yard in the morning and the chickens get it in the afternoon. The dogs can check out the chickens while they're in the run and we work on distraction recall whenever they're looking too interested in the chickens. When they start to get bored with the chickens, I guess we'll move on to having them on leash and start again until that gets boring too.

We're fencing in part of the garden so the chickens will be able to hang out in there when the dogs are out soon.

The cat whipped both dogs into shape in no time but I suspect that chickens are less assertive

I'm actually more worried about the cat than I am about the dogs. He doesn't go out unless he's tied up through so its less of an issue there. Right now he's curled up asleep on the of the brooder and I don't think he's dreaming of sugar plums.

Thx for the Ceasar tip! Will check that out.

 

[rooster0209]

I had to result to a shock collar to get my lab/bc to quit chasing the chickens. One afternoon and two shocks he got the idea. He goes out to the coop with me and walks around the chickens, not a problem. He was a few years old and have never been exposed to chickens (he was adopted from the humane soc)

My MIL's golden retriever was staying with us and he "caught" a guinea once (it really wasnt the dogs fault. it was dusk and the guinea was laying in the grass, the dog spooked it up, when it flew up in front of him he caught it) Luckily goldens are known for their soft mouths and he didnt hurt it. A very good/loud scolding and he ignores the chickens and guineas completely. Funny too cause when he hears a pheasant in the trees, he still perks up and looks around.

my cats avoid the chickens. I have seen a few of them sleep in the sunshine near the chickens (who free range all over the farmyard) but never bother them. I have seen the cats zig zag thru the chickens at a fast pace with their tales down.

Keep up the training. I believe that constant training is the best option.

 

[nzpouter]

your dogs will show signs before they actually run and start to invite the chickens to play... this is when you need to yell leave it.... not after they're away...