We were supremely lucky to have a sweet golden retriever, Hannah, for 10 years who was amazing with the chickens. When she passed from old age last year, we were devastated.
Finally, this winter we finally agreed that it was time to get another dog. I was so worried about getting another dog and having to go through the don't-eat-chicken training period. But, alas, little Hank dropped into our lives at 8 weeks old from a local animal shelter and with just a remarkable little bit of training and and a long time spent outside with him getting used to the chickens and visa-versa, he is AMAZINGLY good with them!
Of course, a very close eye is still kept on him, but Sunday was a real milestone. He spent nearly the entire day outside with the whole flock, pretty much unattended! Granted, he wasn't actually unattended, I spent nearly the whole day by the window watching like a hawk. But there was no chasing, no real attention paid by him or the chickens. I still would never leave him completely alone with them, but I just need to say...YESSSSSS!!
And a little bit of...
Here they are on Saturday, at 7 months old...
And not long after we got him...
Finally, this winter we finally agreed that it was time to get another dog. I was so worried about getting another dog and having to go through the don't-eat-chicken training period. But, alas, little Hank dropped into our lives at 8 weeks old from a local animal shelter and with just a remarkable little bit of training and and a long time spent outside with him getting used to the chickens and visa-versa, he is AMAZINGLY good with them!
Of course, a very close eye is still kept on him, but Sunday was a real milestone. He spent nearly the entire day outside with the whole flock, pretty much unattended! Granted, he wasn't actually unattended, I spent nearly the whole day by the window watching like a hawk. But there was no chasing, no real attention paid by him or the chickens. I still would never leave him completely alone with them, but I just need to say...YESSSSSS!!
And a little bit of...
Here they are on Saturday, at 7 months old...
And not long after we got him...
