Great Pyrenees killing chickens

[jl34]

I have two Great Pyrenees killing my chickens I think only one is killing them they are 6 and 7 years old ive tryed tying the chicken around their necks, ive tried tying them up on leash with dead chicken with them, Ive tried beating them with dead chickens I don't know what to do to stop them please help. It’s a better idea to go to a Great Pyrenees sight for advice I should have known that I want my chickens to be able to forage in my yard they are much more healthy than being locked up in a pin. My dog only does this months or years apart and I think it’s a signal from the dog that she’s unhappy with me we recently started leaving them out and she is not happy about it and I think this is why she started killing again.

 

[Aapomp831]

Don’t give them access!! And don’t beat your dog.... it hasn’t been trained properly and that’s not the dogs fault. Your chickens need to be properly secured until you figure this out.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The chicken collar is an old wives tale. It doesn't work reliably. Don't allow them access to the birds
When dogs are put, birds are in and vise versa.

 

[jl34]

I agree didn’t work. I’ve found a site for G/P with so advise should have gone there instead of chicken advice.

 

[RoosterML]

I can’t help but laugh... beat a dog with a chicken.... who thinks of that kinda stuff !!

 

[Aapomp831]

I agree didn’t work. I’ve found a site for G/P with so advise should have gone there instead of chicken advice.

Regardless, it doesn’t take a GP website to explain that you shouldn’t hit your dog with anything - especially a dead chicken. When you have animals you have to be responsible and do what needs to be done for everyone to live their best lives. Maybe rehome the dogs to someone who can better handle them or don’t have chickens.

 

[Callender Girl]

I got a 7-month-old Great Pyrenees to be a livestock guardian for my sheep and miniature goats. The previous owner said she had goats and chickens, so I ASSUMED she had trained Pearl to be a guardian. She had not. Pearl chased the goats; the goat queen gored Pearl.

Long story short: Pearl -- an 87-pound puppy -- became a house dog. It wasn't her fault she didn't know what to do and what not to do. Pearl is a delightful dog, but she eventually topped out at more than 100 pounds and I only outweighed her by about 15 pounds.

Although I took her to obedience classes, once in a while a squirrel or rabbit would prove too tempting, and she would be off like a shot, dragging her leash with me attached. I LOVE Pearl, which is why I let an excellent rescue group rehome her. It was safer for both of us, since I live near a well-traveled rural road.

Pearl now lives quite happily with a family that has another Pyr, three fenced acres for her to explore and a rescue contact that sends me photos of Pearl in her new, perfect life -- dressed up for special occasions and a constant companion to kids who adore her.

Sometimes, you have to make tough choices. I understand frustration, but at no time should you strike a dog -- especially one who doesn't know what not to do.

 

[NatJ]

I agree with the people who suggest keeping the dogs separate from the chickens for now. Good fences prevent many problems!

A few ideas about teaching a dog to behave around chickens:

Teaching to dog some commands (like "heel" and "stay") and working with the dog near the chickens can help the dog learn to be calm around them.

Sometimes it helps to hold a chicken and let the dog sniff the chicken, but insist that the dog be gentle (no biting or grabbing.) That helps teach the dog that it is not allowed to grab the chicken.

If you are able to have the dog live in a pen beside the chickens, that might help it get used to leaving chickens alone. This depends on the dog, its age, and whether the dog is able to be calm in the pen. If the dog runs back and forth in the pen to "chase" the chickens through the fence, it would not help.

If the dog really likes to eat, you might be able to put a dish of dog food within sight of the chicken pen, then walk the dog to the food and let it eat. That gives it something pleasant (eating) while it can see the chickens but is not chasing them. If that goes well, you could have the dog dish a little closer to the chicken pen each day, to gradually increase the dog's ability to be calm and enjoy other pleasures (food) near the chickens.

Since you have two dogs, I would definitely start by working with each one separately, because it is easier to focus on how the dog is acting. Also, two dogs can get each other excited, and may be more likely to chase the chickens. (Everything is more fun with a friend!)

I do not think these ideas will make the dogs completely safe around chickens, but they might be a starting point, and from there you will have a better idea what will work and whether it will ever be possible.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I have two Great Pyrenees killing my chickens I think only one is killing them they are 6 and 7 years old ive tryed tying the chicken around their necks, ive tried tying them up on leash with dead chicken with them, Ive tried beating them with dead chickens I don't know what to do to stop them please help. It’s a better idea to go to a Great Pyrenees sight for advice I should have known that I want my chickens to be able to forage in my yard they are much more healthy than being locked up in a pin. My dog only does this months or years apart and I think it’s a signal from the dog that she’s unhappy with me we recently started leaving them out and she is not happy about it and I think this is why she started killing again.

Seriously? How traumatic for the dogs. First being forced to drag corpses around and then being beat with them by their owner.

Re-home these poor dogs.