HELP! Guard puppy killing chickens

[prostar]

Okay for one, your pup is just that, a pup. Doesn't know right from wrong just yet, if he's ANYWHERE where he can get at the chickens this stage in the game have him on a leash (harnesses are awesome too so he doesn't choke himself trying to go where you don't want him to)

I agree with not trusting your pup while they're still a pup. With some dogs, that maturity level comes at different times. Know your dog, spend lots of time doing basic obedience and socialization. If you have a pen for your chicks, do some on leash obedience near the girls. Praise lots when the attention is NOT on the chickens. Your pup will get bigger, and go through the derpy klutz phase too - clumsy accidents can happen. The secret is manage your dog especially at this young age don't give it the opportunity to fail.

*edit* and what the earlier poster said about watching his (or her!) lab and cutting in when the lab got too excited, that's perfect. You want to reward calm behavior around the birds, and even cut in to simple commands if you notice the dog getting distracted or excited. (Remove from the situation of course if standard "selective hearing" kicks in)

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Different levels of experience.

That's a bold statement...

You have no idea my level of experience with any animals, let alone dogs.

Bottom line a 10 week old puppy should never be allowed to kill chickens, ever!

Now you have a behavior that needs to be corrected that shouldn't have existed in the first place.

What good is a dog if you can't trust it for 2 years, especially if it's intended purpose is to guard live stock. If a 4 month old dog can be house broke it a few days, it can also be thought that chickens are off limits.

Almost all undesired behavior in dogs can be attributed to mistakes made in or lack of training.

For the record I currently own a German shorthair lab mix I got from the shelter when she was 3 months old, she's now 11 months old and would give her life not only my children but also our chickens or any of our livestock. She's been working by herself with the birds for 4 months unsupervised. Never once has she grabbed or even chased any of the birds. Any other bird, cat, coon or even bears have serious problems.

Of corse she has a high "prey drive" that what makes her so effective. and she has never killed a chicken, nor do I ever expect her to.