First day out and Beagle

[Sassafras]

Could you put in some welded wire fence with step in posts around the pen so there is a separation from your dog and the chicks? I wouldn't come out either if I had the boogeyman all up in my face all the time..

 

[frstchknz]

The chickens are in a fenced pen that I hope is preditor proofed. I don't think the beagle could get in there, and if she did then I guess I would find out that anything can!

She listens well. and as far as leashing... my dogs have never even worn a collar.. LOL.. we have a doggie door on the house and the property is completely fenced in for them. They come and go as they please in and out of the house. I think the chicken pen in the yard is something new for them. The chickens already seem to be getting used to seeing the beagle there. I have scolded her for barking and she hasn't done it since, however she still wants to leap toward them if they move quickly. I wouldn't trust either dog even though they are very good dogs, within reaching distance of my chicks, whether I was there or not.

Dingo... love the pics

I wish I could trust my dogs like that.

 

[Thecowboysgirl]

Dog hunting chicks...

My suggestion would be to do training with an E Collar (aka shock collar). If it's done correctly, it can be very humane and very effective. That would be my first choice, but it would require a decent amount of effort, time, and money down on the collar. You would only want to use a Dogtra, absolutely nothing that they sell at the pet store. Dogtra collars have 127 different levels of stim, and the lower levels feel very much like a tens unit and are not painful. I have taught my dogs (two GSDs) that the stim is the equivalent of being tugged by a leash and they yield to it in that manner. It is not traumatic or scary for them it is simply a boundary. The field level Dogtras have a 1 1/2 mile radius so you can use your "magical powers" from the kitchen if your dog is outside.

Second choice beyond that would be a Dogtra invisible fence system as a boundary a safe distance away from the chicken coop. You still have to invest time and money but not as much of either. The drawback is that the automatic collar will use higher stim than you would if you were doing it by hand. There is a possibility of traumatizing the dog if it is done wrong. However, the risk of a slight fear/pain response in a dog that also puts an end to predatory behavior which might threaten the life of chicks/ life of the dog in the long run? You gotta make a judgment call.

I realize some of this is more intense than is necessary for this beagle (although the idea of allowing the dog to continue staring at the chicks through the wire rubs me the wrong way) but if anyone else has predatory problems and wants advice on how to use an E Collar I would be happy to email about it. and I don't sell Dogtras! They just are the best there is. Tri-Tronics is second best.

Someone else mentioned the possibility of physically harming the dog by yanking. This is a real issue, especially depending on the collar. E Collars cause no physical harm. They are quite safe and reliable. (The expensive ones anyway. I have a very low opinion of the cheapie brands, you get what you pay for)

 

[Dingo]

Quote:
I think any tool you use it's best to read everything you can to make an informed decision. It's been found by animal behaviorists that use of shock collars, even intermittent use, can increase anxiety and fear. Punishment based training has also been linked to increased aggression, violence begets violence. It's also very difficult to gauge a dogs pain level, many breeds have been bred to hide pain.

 

[Clucknut]

I think any tool you use it's best to read everything you can to make an informed decision. It's been found by animal behaviorists that use of shock collars, even intermittent use, can increase anxiety and fear. Punishment based training has also been linked to increased aggression, violence begets violence. It's also very difficult to gauge a dogs pain level, many breeds have been bred to hide pain.

I have two Beagles. Beagles are self-thinkers. They want to know, “What’s in this for me?” and respond best to positive, reward based training… Treats and praise for doing what you ask of them. Any kind of negative training just brings out their stubbornness.

I had a flock of Easter-eggers that would run up to the fence to get grass clippings as I went by on the rider. If they weren’t behind the wire the would have gotten sucked in and mulched! I think chickens can get used to pretty much anything.​

 

[sandysylvester]

I have 2 beagle kids and my chicks are now out during the day. My boy Jack only takes a look every so often and is more concerned about losing a little attention. Now my girl Sweetie is a natural "hunter". She stares, stalks and stares but over the past few days she is getting better. I am now teaching her no paws on the pen. If she disobeys its the hose or fly swatter. She's coming along good with the learning!

 

[RNM Chicks]

We have two beagles also. One could care less about our chicks, the other one is verrrry curious. It makes me nervous too. I put their brooder up on the dining room table when I am not able to supervise.

 

[adorable]

LOL, I also have two beagles. They wouldnt touch one. I have laying hens roaming the yard with my beagles loose. I had my son and his girlfriend over with there beagle mix. My rooster is a little araucana . Well they were free ranging when the dog came threw the gait. Well i tell you the rooster didnt like this new dog in the back yard. It chase the dog. The dog was running away from this small rooster. It was so funny. They stopped and went on doing what they do. THen my son called his dog to go home. The dog came running across the yard. The rooster came out of no where and caught up to the dog running and kicked with his both feet on top of the dog ass. The dog yelped. My son your rooster is beating up my dog. I couldnt help it but laugh. Just because your dog looks at them does mean they are going to eat it. They are just curious.

 

[frstchknz]

Quote:
I have two Beagles. Beagles are self-thinkers. They want to know, “What’s in this for me?” and respond best to positive, reward based training… Treats and praise for doing what you ask of them. Any kind of negative training just brings out their stubbornness.

I had a flock of Easter-eggers that would run up to the fence to get grass clippings as I went by on the rider. If they weren’t behind the wire the would have gotten sucked in and mulched! I think chickens can get used to pretty much anything.

I agree that punishment training methods are bad. I've had both my dogs since they were wee puppies. I've always praised them and given them rewards when they do something good. From the first day I got them I would take them outside every so often through the day and even the night and tell them they were good girls when they did their business. With two little puppies I never had one single "accident" in the house. Once they learned that they were rewarded for going outside they soon went to the door on their own. Sometimes it's just plain scary how much they understand what I say to them. I told the beagle that she was bad yesterday when she barked. I didn't have to touch her, she knows when I'm mad. She knew she did something wrong, and she hasn't barked since.

I think the chickens are getting used to her being there. They did come out yesterday afternoon and even got very close to the fence where she was. She knows she isn't allowed to bark or run at the fence now so she just sits there. I really think she's more curious than anything. I think in time the novelty of the chickens is going to ware off. Now that I know the chickens will come out, I think it's just a matter of time until everyone is living in harmony.

Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate every one.
I love this site. I don't know what I would have done without it. I've learned so much by reading the other threads and many answers to questions that I also had as a newbie.