Greyhounds and Chickens?

[emilyjay]

Yeah the hen was fine! Just a few feathers gone but she didn't seem to bothered.
I think it will just take time and determination, as she hasn't experienced life outside a kennel or race track.

 

[dainerra]

staring at the chickens and quails is actually a BAD thing. it is the precursor of attack. What you want is ignoring the chickens. That means that she has zero contact with them, even to be able to look at them, unless she is on leash and you are with her.
Fences simply build up frustration and prey drive.

Here is the general training I use for teaching dogs to ignore livestock:

Find the closest distance that the dog first notices the birds in the brooder. This might be in another room if he is one to constantly glance at the door. Put your dog on leash and get some extra special treats that he only gets for this work - bacon, grilled chicken (no spices!), hot dog chunks, etc. When the dog glances toward the birds, say his name and "leave it" If he looks at you, give him a treat - if he doesn't, give a light pop on the leash (think tap on the shoulder). When he looks at you reward him.
You can also teach him "watch me" the same way. You can practice this at random times though out the day. If you have a couple extra minutes while you're watching TV or whatever, just say his name, pause, "watch me" When he makes eye contact, then reward him. You can also (if you get in the habit of keeping a small treat in your pockets) catch him looking towards you say "watch me" and then reward. Or just praise him verbally.

Once the dog is reliably paying attention to you and the birds at a distance, move a little bit closer. If he absolutely blows you off, you're too close. Just back up a bit and begin again. Eventually you will be right amongst the birds. You can then start at a distance or with a long line (20' leash or so) and work from there. I never ever leave my dogs/chickens loose unattended together.
I don't even trust Rayden
I don't mean I constantly hover over the dogs when they are out with the birds, but I am in the area and aware of what they are doing. Think of it as a small child. Even though you've taught them not to play with matches, would you leave them alone in the house with matches scattered all over the floor?

The most important part of the training is to set the dog up to succeed. Don't give him a chance to chase the birds. Don't give him a chance to disobey.

ETA: The best thing about teaching "leave it" is that it works for everything. Drop something on the floor and don't want the dogs to touch it? "leave it" See dog running toward a snake? "leave it" Lots of training and work, but it pays off!
Of course, some dogs just can't be trusted off-leash. Period. They are just too focused on the birds. In that case, just confine the dog when the birds are out.

 

[dainerra]

Yeah the hen was fine! Just a few feathers gone but she didn't seem to bothered.
I think it will just take time and determination, as she hasn't experienced life outside a kennel or race track.

remember that her entire genetic basis and her training up to this point is "CHASE THINGS THAT RUN AWAY"

chickens are ideal for that. You need to set her up for success.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I agree with dainerra but I'd also like to say that i know it's probably too late since you've had her 9 days already and already did it but if it was me I wouldn't have introduced her to the birds the first day I brought her home, I would have let her settle in for a few days or even a couple weeks and bond with her, work on basic training in other areas, then introduce her. And you may find you need to take a step back and start again that way of she's bad around them

 

[DutchBunny03]

It's good to introduce new pets to other animals soonest as possible. If not, the new pet could have a harder time learning to bond with it tolerate other animals.

 

[Kegs1972]

Keep persevering, when we got our hounds they didnt even know how to walk up stairs - everything in the industry has ramps, glass sliding doors, even sharing space with a person or another dog is so different.... she will be on such a huge learning curve but keep up the training

My biggest wish is that this cruel industry will end x

 

[ShrekDawg]

It's good to introduce new pets to other animals soonest as possible. If not, the new pet could have a harder time learning to bond with it tolerate other animals.

That makes sense but they still need time to settle in imo. Maybe not but they're likely to listen better too if they know you versus a complete stranger. I'm not saying to wait months or a year or anything, just a few days or a week or two at most till they settle in but probably just a few days is all that wouldve been needed. It can also probably set back progress if they aren't ready and attack or chase as ots self reinforcing

 

[ShrekDawg]

Keep persevering, when we got our hounds they didnt even know how to walk up stairs - everything in the industry has ramps, glass sliding doors, even sharing space with a person or another dog is so different.... she will be on such a huge learning curve but keep up the training

My biggest wish is that this cruel industry will end x

I agree

 

[emilyjay]

Thanks for all your input guys, your opinions have really helped with her training. Its nice to know I can turn to you for help! She's doing so much better and barely looks at the chooks any more, I think she now knows that she is never going to be able to get to them so has given up trying haha. she keeps the cats away that's for sure!

 

[dainerra]

It's good to introduce new pets to other animals soonest as possible. If not, the new pet could have a harder time learning to bond with it tolerate other animals.

not really. with dogs, the accepted method when adding an older rescue to the family is called "the 2 week shutdown period"
the amount of actual time will vary based on the individual dog's personality. but you want the first bit of time to be with the dog learning to bond with the humans. That doesn't mean that you wouldn't take the dog out to see the chickens and get used to the sight and smell of them. But you wouldn't want to have any interactions. You need to have a basic relationship established between you and the dog.

You don't want to overwhelm the dog with too many new situations. especially a dog that is basically being moved from an extremely restricted existence like the life of a racing greyhound to a home. Literally having people around and being inside a home can be overwhelming.

dogs can bond with new animals at any point in their lives.