Dogs! Dogs! Dogs! UGH!!

[sgtmom52]

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for your loss ~

Dogs can be "animal aggressive" , "human aggressive" or in some case both. Just because a dog is "animal aggressive" does not mean it will attack a human. Many dogs have a high prey drive and chickens are prey in their eyes. Chewing through "chicken wire" is nothing to a predator. Chicken wire is meant to keep chickens in ~ not predators out. Fighting Pit bulls are trained to be "animal aggressive" but not "human aggressive" as their handlers had to be able to control them before, during and after fights.

If you decide to keep the dogs you must either fence the dogs or the chickens with secure fencing or monitor the dogs when they are outside so they have no access the chickens.

 

[KKatknap]

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I agree. I am a BIG fan of hot wire. Nothing teaches a dog respect like a zap on the nose!

The other thing I would do is get them a secure chain link kennel for when you are gone. If they get bored again, they may leave your hot wired coop/run alone, but go looking for other peoples' fun. I am NOT anti-pit, but they do require a certain amount of caution and respect. If your dogs aren't trained, take them to a training class. Do it with your kids. If they are males, and they aren't neutered. Neuter them this week.

Honestly, chewing through chicken wire was easy for them. I have a border/aussie that would do it in a heartbeat if we weren't around. So, I wouldn't blame this on the fact that they are pits. However, I would definitely train, neuter, confine and hot wire. That way, you can have both your dogs and your chickens.

ETA - Oh, geez...I forgot to say I'm sorry for the loss of your roos.

I really am sorry. That's a horrible thing to come upon.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

One thing people often forget about Pit Bulls...they were bred originally with a purpose, they are hunting dogs. They need a JOB. They are like any other hunting dog or work dog if they don't have their purpose plainly laid out, they are good for nothing. It sounds like they got bored and experimented with what they could get away with. Especially a dog that young will continually push their boundaries. Consider them to be teenagers right now at a year old. They need CONSTANT direction and LOTS OF TRAINING even if it's something you may never use them for or make them do ever again. You have to reinforce who is boss. They're a great breed, and I wouldn't worry about the kids around them so much unless they don't get some obedience training. Mine know they are to keep stray dogs out of my yard. They walked the property line at least 2 thousand times with me...PER DOG and when a stray comes in the yard, they're the first to run it off and do not go further than the ditch EVER. That's their job, they know it well, and the rest of the time they are 'off duty' entertainers

It has worked out very well. They are both obedience trained and worked with on a weekly basis. You have to be consistent and never forget to work with them. My oldest is 5 years old, and we still leash up and walk the property line, practice sit, down, and stay commands etc. etc. A Pit Bull is a lifelong commitment. Otherwise you really should not have them IMO. Get those dogs on a training schedule and your issues will disappear rather quickly.

 

[KKatknap]

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Ditto everything she said.

 

[Eggs-Actly]

Having had some serious experience with both pit bulls and dog attacks as well as fostering and teaching problem dogs I feel I may have something to add. First, are your dogs males? Are they neutered? If they are males and NOT neutered than let me suggest doing that asap. The term "has a pair" refers to not only the physical characteristics but also the attitude. If you're not breeding, snip 'em. Especially if you're letting them run while you're not at home or supervising them. The world does not need any more pit bulls (or any dogs for that matter) who need homes. There are enough dogs who are put down every day. Be responsible for your dog. You wouldn't let your child run out the door looking for a "good time" without discussing the ramifications of their decision. Dogs can't talk and it is a male's nature to dominate - and making puppies is a way of dominating another.

Which brings me to my next point, supervision. It always amazes me how individuals will not let their kids roam free without some sort of supervision, either theirs directly or another child's parent(s), but have no problem opening the back door and letting their dog(s) run free. Dogs are not people. They need to be taught right and wrong. If you are not supervising your dog(s) then you should not be surprised when they do something they are not supposed to do. And that goes not only for killing another pet or animal but also for peeing or pooping in the house or grabbing something off the counter. Granted you cannot be there all the time but if one takes the time to teach, the majority of the problems can be avoided.

Finally there is truth to the pack mentality. Dogs are not loners. They are social animals, much like people, and prefer to run in packs. You may or may not be aware but a family with one dog is actually the dog's pack in their eyes. They view themselves as the protector, as the alpha in the number one position unless they are taught differently. How does one do this? By controling the food, not by putting a bowl of food down on the ground in the morning and letting them have their food whenever they want it. By teaching them to sit and stay before releasing them to eat their food, not by pushing them out of the way as you put their food in the bowl and then down on the ground. By teaching them to walk beside you and not out in front of you, pulling you down the street. There are a number of exercises and lessons but these are just a few. The point is this: if you do not take the time to teach your dog what is right and wrong then they will take the initiative to do what they want to do. And if there is a pack involved the pack will rule and overcome any single thought and action. I always try to tell clients to think of this as a "mob mentality". Once a mob starts people in the mob make a decision - to either participate or not. Once a mob starts it's like a snowball effect. You just cannot stop it as it continues to roll and gain momentum. One person in the mob may decide not to include themselves in the mob's actions but they cannot stop the mob by themself either. It's the same with dogs. If the pack does it, then it's ok. And as the pack does whatever it is doing the feeling of accomplishment or approval begins to escalate and the energy level increases until the activity is over or another subject is located to turn their attention towards.

Now getting back to your issue. If you do not feel safe or comfortable having these dogs around your children or pets, then locate a pit bull rescue group and hand them over. Be sure you tell them they got into your chickens. The insecure feeling you have is felt by your dogs, believe me. And that insecurity will result in a bite or worse. Experience has shown me that pit bulls, more than any other breed I have worked with, pick up on insecurities. And couple that with the inherent characteristic of the pit bull breed to dominate and you have a recipe for disaster. If you have problems locating a local pit bull rescue then speak with your vet, they generally have more resources than we do. If you are still coming up empty, PM me and I'll be more than happy to assist. However, if you are not insecure and want to keep them then get into an obedience school (after you have neutered them) and re-enforce it daily. Pit Bulls are great dogs but just like any other thing that is dependant upon us need to be taught right and wrong, what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

 

[TGarcia]

I truely appreciate all the replies. You've given me alot to think about. And to seriously RE-think my situation, rather than out of anger toward the dogs just giving them up.... and to try and come up with a solution that can work in my favor.

I'm going to discuss this with my husband and see where to go from here. I do like the idea of the electric fence. Gonna check that out today and see what options I have for that. I looked online at a few and they are alot cheaper than I thought, so I may try that route. Also saw the shock collars for dogs. Those seem a little pricy. Might work good for more of the training aspects instead of keeping them OUT of the coop.

We do have a male and female pitt. The female has been spayed, so I KNOW the next thing to do is to get the male neutered ASAP. We are not interested in raising puppies or even wanting puppies. That's why we had her spayed. And had planned on getting him neutered as well, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Eggs-Actly, we don't let the dogs roam unsupervised. Our whole back yard area is enclosed by wooden privacy fence. We do allow the dogs free roam of that enclosed area. Which may not be a good idea, and we may need to have them their own separate fenced in area. The chickens are in their own enclosed area within the yard as well. Like I said my yard is HUGE....so the chickens have a large area fenced just for them. We do allow them to free range sometimes, and while doing so usually chain the dogs up to avoid them from chasing the chickens. Which is usually not an issue (SURPRISINGLY after what happened) cause they usually don't even bark or TRY and get to the chickens during that time. But definetly separate fenced in areas may also become part of the solution.

thanks again for all the info. I will update everyone on what I decided to do, and how things are working out.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Considering your situation and set up I agree about the hot wire around the coop. The shock collars are pricey, but great for training. The simulate the alpha male putting his teeth on the dogs neck and pinching. A cheaper route would be pinch collars you can get at Farmers Co-ops. One shock collar control will control up to 4 collars, and they have been great with my dogs. They're cheaper to purchase as a set of two also. If my big dog gets too carried away with her job...like actually hurting another dog, we give her a warning with her collar. She usually will then get off the other dog. Funniest thing...I gotta tell you this, she never has bitten another dog, she thinks she's a linebacker! She will charge them with her head down and knock them clean off their feet, then get on top of them until she feels they know who the boss is..lol. Starys come around once, and usually never get in our yard again. They tease her from the street, but dare not cross the ditch. She's a great dog, and the collar has kept her from going overboard more than once. I highly recommend them for large dogs. They DO NOT hrt the dog. They didn't hurt me, I shocked myself on high setting to make sure. It stung, but left no mark. You have to make sure you have them on properly for them to be effective though, follow the instruction carefully if you go this route. Too loose and you will be without a shock function, too tight, and they CAN hurt the dog if on a high setting because the probes will be on naked skin, which is not the intended use. Best of luck to you! I think you are on the right track now..

Sorry about your roo's, and your unruly puppies!!

 

[mistyfeather]

i do hope that you deside to keep your dogs ! just put up a large kenel and run for them when you are not there! all that is is doggie bordom ANY dog will go thru that when they are 1 years old! and as for them being a pit, a child is FAR more likly to be bitten by a golden retreaver or cockerspanial then a pit. the only incedents you hear about are the ones involving pits. witch is VERY sad because they are actualy very low on the list of dogs causing bites to people.

i am sory that hapend, my friend had the same thing hapen a few years ago. her three long haired wiener dogs dug under the chicken fence (for the first time) they killed four of her hens. she also had to bath her dogs afterwerds as they were covered from nose to tail in blood. they did it once after that, then she built a kennel that had a cement floor in it so they could not tunnel out, she has not had a problem since. and these dogs had been excelent with her chickens when they were just chicks, and she had them in the indoor brooder.

 

[mistyfeather]

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they do work realy well! tho my dog was smart enough to figure out how to get it off! he chewed the coller part so i could no put it on him! when the guy at the pet sore gave me a new coller for it he said that he souldnt be able to get it off........ he soon figured it out , got it off and chewed the batery box so it was no loger usable

after $200 i just gave up trying to put them on him ! when they say border collies are smart they mean SMART!

stupid dogs!

 

[Ibicella]

I wouldn't worry about your kids. Pits are inherently people pleasers and good family dogs. That is actually WHY they are chosen to be fighting dogs...not because they are inherently more aggressive, but because they are very people oriented and will do and learn what humans want them to do.

I agree with the others. You CAN keep both. Hot wire the coop and build a dog run to keep them in while you are gone, and set up some family rules about letting the dogs around the chickens. Also start doing some training and keeping them on a lead around the chickens and if they show interest, correct them.