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

[Paz]

She's scared of them right now, but I'm following the advice and she's living with them. Apparently we have an 8 week window for her to bond and decide they are "hers". It's really, really hard to stay away from her! She's so cute and loving!

You can stay with her, just remember to live by night. The two months window is because at four months old, the puppies go through a stage which is called fear stamping. You want them to be protected during that time. The opportunity window before that is simply the best time for the dog to learn it’s place in the peck, and the way the world works. It’s not impossible for the dog to learn afterwards. A shepherd may be taught later in life how to herd the flock, so in any chance, even if she doesn’t claim them as hers, she will still be useful.

 

[Paz]

*leave by the night

 

[chickfused]

I've been going out once every couple of hours to do some clicker training work, play and run off some energy, and make sure no one's attacked her.

So far, she won't come out of the coop unless I'm out there, but now at least she plops down and watches them. It's pretty good progress for a couple of days and I'll take it. She sleeps in the barn where their coop is a walled off section, so she can see and hear them all night and I only go out once after dark, right before I sleep to let her out to pee.

I'm a little worried about one of my roosters - he does NOT like her, but hasn't gone after her. Yet. (He's young and doesn't have his spurs yet, so I'm going to cautiously let it develop.)

 

[Paz]

That sounds like you’re doing a great job, I bet you have a pretty good trainer as well.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

She's scared of them right now, but I'm following the advice and she's living with them. Apparently we have an 8 week window for her to bond and decide they are "hers". It's really, really hard to stay away from her! She's so cute and loving!

I couldnt even stay away one day from our golden and i love english Shepards!

 

[chickfused]

Welp, she has now decided they are for chasing. Not a pleasant development.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Welp, she has now decided they are for chasing. Not a pleasant development.

Im sorry. Did you teach her gentle. We taught our golden that but she isnt allowed to be in with the chickens by herself.

 

[chickfused]

She's 8 weeks old, and I've had her 4 days. I can't even get her to sit or come and she doesn't know her name yet. I also have no idea what I'm doing, never having owned a dog before.

 

[Paz]

She's 8 weeks old, and I've had her 4 days. I can't even get her to sit or come and she doesn't know her name yet. I also have no idea what I'm doing, never having owned a dog before.

Ok, first thing, take her to the yard. Afterwards, follow these directions:
1) offer her a piece of chicken, say “good girl” in a cute high pitched voice
2) repeat 3 times.
3) call her name.
4) wait for her to react.
5) when she reacts, no matter how, say “good girl” in a cute high pitched voice and give her a piece of chicken.
6) repeat stages 3-5 at least five times.
7) call her name.
8) wait for her to come to you.
9) when she comes say “good girl” in a high pitched voice, and give her a piece of chicken.
10) repeat step 7-9 at least five times.

You should practice steps10 a couple times every day, gradually increasing the distance from where you call her, while decreasing the number of treats she receives.

 

[Paz]

NOTE: she is an English shepherd, she herds. She may chase them because she likes to see they move by her command, don’t worry about it too much.
When she knows her name, you can simply call her over if she’s over chasing them.
In a few days she’ll know her name. If she decides to ignore it, you can be angry at her. NOTE she won’t come when you’re angry. But when she DOES, give her a small treat. If she ignores you too much, put her on a long leash before calling her next time. If she disobeys you, just give her a small “guidance”.