Getting a guardian puppy - any chicken<-->dog communicables I need to worry about?

[chickfused]

Things are still good and Copper is coming along nicely in obedience. I did have to get an e collar to communicate with her out in the field, but it never has to go off setting 1 (of 21). I can't even feel it on my arm but she listens to it. She's learning to work with mounted riders, both ATV and equine, so that's cool.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Things are still good and Copper is coming along nicely in obedience. I did have to get an e collar to communicate with her out in the field, but it never has to go off setting 1 (of 21). I can't even feel it on my arm but she listens to it. She's learning to work with mounted riders, both ATV and equine, so that's cool.

Im glad she is doing so good!

 

[chickfused]

So we worked on "don't herd the chickens unless Mama asks" today. It was so beautiful out, a break in the cold. We sat outside, cuddled, talked, played, etc with the chickens out and her just on her e-collar. She did extremely well and I only had to recall her once. Then we also worked on herding while walking them in, instead of on drive. She aced that too. The goal being "loose dog, guarding loose chickens, unsupervised". She's fully chicken safe unsupervised on a 30 ft. lead, and supervised off lead, but she still views the herding part as too much fun vs. work only, and struggles with "upon request only". She just thinks "chickens belong in the pen, at all times" when I want them to be able to free range with her. First day of probably many days of refinement starting, but it's cool to be on phase 2.

Edit: Also, I didn't mention this upthread I don't think, but one of the force free "Who's the Boss?" methods I used was "Sit on the Dog". It worked miracles over the course of a week or two. Google if interested.

 

[chickfused]

We are now able to be free with the birds unsupervised at all times. Tada! 7.5 months old.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

We are now able to be free with the birds unsupervised at all times. Tada! 7.5 months old.

Pictures?

 

[chickfused]

Eventually, sure

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's good news. I hope it stays that way.

I haven't read the whole thread but what I have read sounds like you have done everything well.
Consistent training is the key with dogs.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

We are now able to be free with the birds unsupervised at all times. Tada! 7.5 months old.

Congratulations! Hard work always pays off!

 

[chickfused]

And now, Copper knows how to hunt fox, as she should. This is the most wonderful, versatile, and amazing dog ever. I can teach her 2-3 tricks a day. She's ridiculously smart. She's still strong willed, but I don't think that will ever go away. I don't really want it to. We have learned to happily co-exist.

 

[MyParadiseFalls]

Pics?