From instinct to in sync

[Zaxby's2]

Does anyone have experience with this? We are about to get rid of our dogs and I wanted to know as a last minute resort if anyone has positive feedback or experience with this dog training video. It's advertised at the bottom of BYC every now and then and shows a guy that says even the worst of dogs can coexsist with chickens in peace, even after they've killed. It shows a video of a dog going crazy over a chicken, with the guy actually having to wrestle the dog to the ground to keep it from hurting the bird. Later it shows the same dog running among a flock of chickens without any problems. To show you what you need to do, you have to buy the video, which I'm not willing to do if it's a scam. It looks pretty believable, but you can't really trust anyone trying to sell you something. What do you guys think? I really don't want to have to give up my dogs but don't really trust this guy. Here's the link:
http://stopchickenkillerdogs.com/

 

[ChicKat]

YES!!!!!!!!!

I bought it and viewed it on line and I really liked it.

He Understands the dog. I was so worried about our Austrailian Cattle Dogs and our chickens. Never would I let them be in the same physical space.


Just seeing his humane and wise handling of the dogs, and the reassurance that dogs and chickens can get along made my entire outlook different.

If you value your dogs, then get the video! Infact, if you value your dogs and your chickens.....

 

[Zaxby's2]

So you actually tried it and it worked? Had your dogs ever killed before? My dogs have a HUGE prey drive and have killed many chickens not to mention everything they catch in the woods. I figure if I did that video that my dogs would be one of the extreme cases. How well did it work for you? Do your animals get along fine? Thanks for the reply!

 

[mulewagon]

The author, Bryan, very kindly offered free access to his videos for BYC members, for 60 days from his post on 5/25: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6502666#p6502666

I've viewed both the available videos, and must say the man is good with dogs! We haven't tried it yet, but plan to. Our dog hasn't yet killed any chickens, but he's young and wants to play with them!

His method is to desensitize the dog to the excitement caused by flapping, squawking chickens. It's quite different from usual training methods, but I can see the logic.

I would advise watching both videos - there's more description of the theory in the first video, and then some extra details in the longer, raw video of a dog's complete training.

Anyway, definitely not a scam. He's selling several hours of solid dog training videos, specifically aimed towards getting the dog calm with chickens, which seem as likely to work as any other dog training material I've seen. A lot would depend on the owner staying calm and doing everything correctly, but that's true of all dog training.

 

[Zaxby's2]

So for like the next 30 days it's free to me?! That's great news! I'll have to try it then! Can't wait!

 

[ChicKat]

Hi Zaxby's2

Sorry it took awhle to get back.
How neat that the video is free...hopefully it will solve the problem. A good working dog is a solid investment in livestock and in training.

No our dogs never killed chickens....The chickens have only been here since late April, and the dogs only 3-years old. Ever since April, it was lock up the dogs while the chickens are out, and lock up the chickens while the dogs are out. I didn't want to have to deal with them catching, injuring and or killing a chicken.

Seeing the video, and learning that the dog needs to sniff the chicken suddenly turned a light on in my head. (dog behavior 101+) Bryan's style and understanding handling the dogs in the video allowed me to much better evaluate our own dogs state of excitement/over-excitement.

So, I didn't actually follow the video per se. I did carefully monitor the dogs the first time (one at a time) that I allowed them to associate with the chickens...and used some of the tips from the video. It just made so much sense to me. Little by little, I allowed them more freedom...now I am pretty calm with them being together and it has been only about a week.

Here is a summary
1. No, our dogs have not killed chickens before (they are pretty young and we are new to having chickens)
2. We do have a working breed of herding dogs Australian Cattle Dogs or Blue Heelers...we use them to work cattle and they MUST know and obey the "Off" command....
3. During the first nearly two months of having chickens...they would lie outside the little run facinated by the chickens---so there was that wire between them....and that probably helped them be familiar with the chicken movements. (Like a chicken is never still)....

I never had that furious, frantic, catch and kill response.... but if a gopher, mouse or other critter crosses their path they really kill them instantaneously.

In this picture, one looks like she is ready to chomp here because her mouth is open, but she was panting from our heat....the chickens could care less---they are searching for something edible. The dog's aspect is calm and she is queueing off me... I didn't get a very good angle--- It is her second day with chickens without the run separating them.

Hope this helps a little and the process allows you to keep your dogs!

 

[bryan99705]

Yea right, once they taste blood, they can never be trusted! If you have a couple hundred spare birds maybe you'll have a couple left after the free trial is done. I won't even let my dog steal the heads when we butcher because he might like it!

 

[crayon]

How do you get the free trial? Our dog killed one of our EEers last Friday and got a hold (but didn't kill) one of our sweet BRs yesterday! I need to STOP this......

 

[mulewagon]

crayon, read the post here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6502666#p6502666

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Quote:
This is the furthest from the truth!!!!!!! I don't know why people believe this old wives tale crap. dogs live in the moment, their actions (like killing chickens) can be STOPPED. It just takes time and dedication. If you don't love your dogs enough to spend the time and expend the patience it takes, then no it can't be done because YOU aren't willing to. Dogs aim to please us, if we are in the position to be their pack leader, their alpha - the dog will respect you. NOT fear you, a fearful dog is an dog you can't trust, and they don't trust you - they fear you. big difference.

I have a dog that has killed chickens - when she was younger it was because they were fun and she had a high prey drive...got her over it taught her differently. Last year I got chickens again and ME the HUMAN lapsed on ehr, and figuring she'd been around chickens before she wouldn't bother them, one came in her area and she killed it because it was different and ran around...I didn't socialize her with the new chickens - I was wrong. I reintroduced her to chickens, showed her she was not to bother them, reprimanded her for paying them too much attention, and rewarded her for ignoring them. Now I know she is food aggressive towards animals and I know if she thinks she can get away with it - if I chicken was in her food bowl she'd nab them. This is just her PERSONALITY which can't be changed - so I take steps to take that temptation away - if shes fed outside its done when I am home. If I weren't at home and she had food - and some chicken wasn't fast enough to get away from her 'warning stalk' then they'd be eaten - end of story. The other dog has a high prey drive and just likes to CHASE the chickens - I broke her of that. She will still try to eat and chase the guineas but they aren't mine - and its the noise they make that drives her nuts. I'm slowly desensitizing her to them. But its hard to catch a wild guinea who is terrified of people - lol. This training is NEVER over - you have to know your dogs limitations after they've reached their PEAK of ability.

Dogs must understand the two "recalls" - leave it, and "come/return"...if you can't teach your dog those two basics - you are failing somewhere - not the dog. If you can demand your dogs atttention in low excitement with those two commands, you can then start working on getting rid of the excitement, then you never have to worry about them not paying you attention because of excitement...Its not there around the chickens. it can take weeks or months but it IS VERY POSSIBLE.