German Shorthaired Pointer with chickens?

[Peck Johnson]

Yes, he will almost absolutely go after chickens.

But don't lose hope yet. Although it is very true that bird dogs can be very difficult to train not to chase and kill chickens, this certainly can and has been done. You must be able to let the dog spend time with the birds while separated by a fence or restrained on a comfortable lead. He shouldn't be in any position that he sees as punishment though, such as being confined if he in normally not confined. The dog must be able to see the chickens in their natural routines and not just as caged animals. Correct any attention the dog gives toward them immediately. If he looks at them for any more than a couple of seconds in an alert position (ears and body forward) he must be corrected. He will have to learn to lay submissively as they move about. Any chasing or following must be corrected immediately. Finally, when the dog is able to relax while the chickens are moving about you would try letting them together. It would probably take a lot of time (and I mean weeks or months) and careful attention but I think it is possible.

We successfully reconditioned a wild dog that killed to eat and hunted to survive before we started feeding her. I never had to use any force more than one time in the beginning when she went for the birds and I put her to the ground in staunch disapproval. After that I would just growl or say a sharp "Hey!" if I saw any unwanted attention. Eventually we let the birds free and the dog never harmed them, even when we were not present. I think if a wild dog can be reconditioned, almost any dog can.

 

[TajMaChicken]

Peck Johnson you are very correct! I have two trained duck hunting labs. We own chickens, ducks, a goose, and a pair of peacocks. What matters most is if you are the pack leader. Not to go all Dog Whisperer on y'all, but if you are not top dog, the dog will chase what they please. My yellow lab was about two when we decided to get chickens and ducks. We let him in the brooder room while we handled the new babies. Very cautiously let him sniff and get used to their smell. He was very curious and excited. With quick corrections on any over zealous attention and slow introductions, he learned these were family birds and not the ones daddy wanted him to bring back. My chocolate was a pup when he was introduced to them and he did fine learning these birds were not to be harmed. Now the goose came up later and they did to seem to enjoy making her fly but didn't try to catch her. They would run by her just close enough that she would spread her wings and fly towards the lake and they would come prancing back with this look of accomplishment. I didn't encourage this behavior (but it was kind of funny!)

GrammaC, you sound like you have the right approach. The shock collar might be a very valuable tool for you if he has a high prey drive. Good luck! Never know you might have the best chicken guard in town!

One last note, a good size run is a great idea. I built a big run but thought I would be able to let them freemrange during the day even when I wasn't home. Most predators are only out at night right? Nope!'turned out the biggest predator to my birds was a irresponsible nearby resident who just let their dog roam the neighborhood. I lost three of my first four chickens to that beast... Lesson learned! Sometimes your own dog won't be your biggest worry!

 

[aduplantis]

I have a 84lb Pit Bull dog who plays in the yard with my chickens !! He LOVES them

 

[laughingllama75]

Depends on the individual dog. I had a weimeraner that we used for hunting, and he absolutley left my chickens alone. Never looked twice at them, except when they came into his pen and drank from his water dish. he would then go in his house and bark. LOL.
After he passed away, we got a German Wirehaird pointer. SHE was another story. She would KILL any chicken could get. She was highly trained, but the prey drive would just take over and she would just forget everything and everyone till that bird or birds were dead.
We also had a GSP for 2 years that never hurt a chicken. he was very curious about them, but never acted on it as he "had good listening skills" as my nephew would say. LOL.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Muzzles (open air type) leather or metal style help when working a dog with high prey drive arou d your chicks/ducks. This way you can work them near the flock and keep them from nipping. You can praise and reward positive behavior. They should only be used while training, not left on full time.

 

[nivtup]

I would think it is a high risk endeavor.

I personally would not risk it.

Keep the birds and the dog separate, it only take a few moments for a dog to take out an entire flock.

 

[LaceyM]

This is a very old post. But.... I have a pointer pup and I am learning that Clicker Training my pup to Like the chickens works! She points at them and will watch them for minute then moves on.
I will click and that her when she ignores the chickens.
I also have 4 chicks in the house. I am doing the same thing.
My Pitbull thinks the 4 little chicks in the house are her children. She will follow the pup and the cat in the room wait for them to get a drink then she hurries them out. Then she will go back to the chicks and make sure they are all right.
I am more worried about training my Pointer not to harm the chickens than My Pit Bull. Go figure. Lol

 

[centrarchid]

You will need to get pup to ignore birds without use of clicker. Find something else for pup to direct attention towards. Trustworthiness not likely to be realized until dog 18 to 24 months old. Do not let dog alone with chicken when board.

 

[centrarchid]

This is a very old post. But.... I have a pointer pup and I am learning that Clicker Training my pup to Like the chickens works! She points at them and will watch them for minute then moves on.
I will click and that her when she ignores the chickens.
I also have 4 chicks in the house. I am doing the same thing.
My Pitbull thinks the 4 little chicks in the house are her children. She will follow the pup and the cat in the room wait for them to get a drink then she hurries them out. Then she will go back to the chicks and make sure they are all right.
I am more worried about training my Pointer not to harm the chickens than My Pit Bull. Go figure. Lol

To follow up. I now have two German Pointers and they are employed as poultry (livestock) guardians 24/7 during production season. Most recent was acquired over two years ago and both where as pups at about 6 weeks of age. They were acquired 18 months apart so only dealing with one pup at a time. Both retain high prey drive but it is not directed towards chickens, ducks, geese or wild turkeys. They chase rabbits, squirrels and songbirds with gusto often catching and eating them. Elder even acts proper for a hunting dog when we go off property with a rifle. They dominate coyotes and kill raccoons and even foxes when they can catch them. Smaller predators are easily dealt with. Even raptors such as hawks and owls are told to go. They have very good speed and endurance and can do their job when typical LGD's would have to back off owing to heat stress. These dogs are also quick to learn how to get through gates and jump fences used to keep other dogs out which compliments fences used against wildlife. They are highly trainable yet can operate independently of humans at night and while I am away at work. During the day they are key to protecting juveniles and hen reared chicks that are spread out over multiple acres and where line of sight is usually broken. Dogs are very much aware of chicken communications and us such to locate threats needing to be escorted off.

I have always had hunting dogs with free-range chickens but these "bird dogs" have proven particularly good once broken in and they really like their job. They are the first dogs I acquired specifically to help out with chickens and they have proven worth every bit of the investment. They are also very very good with kids.

 

[LaceyM]

I wont give up the clicker. That is how I am training her. She is learning to ignore the chickens and that they are part of the family. I swear by the clicker.

She is never left alone with the chickens. We have 4 chicks in the house and she is also figuring out that if she ignores those too she gets treats. She is doing awesome. She is the youngest pup in our dog classes and is 2nd best. I am very proud of her