Help! How to do a chicken/puppy introductions?

[s k y]

(X-mas card photo of the chickens!)

Hello!
We’re adding a new member to our family, a puppy! We’re worried said puppy will think our chickens are dinner, not fellow pets. Also, previous dog-chicken experiences with our chickens have had included chickens screaming murder and dogs lunging and barking at them. Any ways that the introduction can go smoothly? Puppy wouldn’t be here until April if all goes well, just wondering.

 

[s k y]

Hopefully our puppy (Aussie Shepherd)

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

So cute! Australian shepherds are great farm dogs.
You will be wanting to do lots of training with the puppy which includes: sit, heal, stay, wait, leave it, drop it, etc. But, I think at first introductions are done on a leash at a distance.
If the pupoy is a barker, you would also want to teach it "quiet". Since you have until April, there is plenty of time to research and find out what type of training will work for you and your family.

 

[Larry55]

View attachment 1263440
(X-mas card photo of the chickens!)

Hello!
We’re adding a new member to our family, a puppy! We’re worried said puppy will think our chickens are dinner, not fellow pets. Also, previous dog-chicken experiences with our chickens have had included chickens screaming murder and dogs lunging and barking at them. Any ways that the introduction can go smoothly? Puppy wouldn’t be here until April if all goes well, just wondering.

What kind of puppy?

 

[s k y]

What kind of puppy?

Australian Shepherd

 

[JaeG]

Puppies are likely to view chickens as super fun squeaky toys so I would keep it on a leash for now at least, or have the chickens locked in their run if puppy is having a run around in their area. Do lots of training near the chickens where puppy gets rewarded for paying attention to you and not the chickens. If it's looking too overexcited remove puppy from all that stimulation and start out further away next time, slowly building up its ability to ignore the chickens.

It's so teeny at the moment - is it a boy or a girl?

 

[s k y]

It’s a little boy

 

[dainerra]

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.

 

[drumstick diva]

Sky I love the picture of your flock especially with a silkie right up there with them.
Do your birds bully the silkie?

Also love the puppy, is he a merle?

 

[s k y]

New pics! Here’s the two littermates we’re choosing from

Sky I love the picture of your flock especially with a silkie right up there with them.
Do your birds bully the silkie?

Also love the puppy, is he a merle?

Hey drumstick diva!
Surprisingly, I’ve never had issues with my other birds bullying my silkie. She is actually a week older than the rest of them, along with the RIR, so she’s been a bit of a boss to the younger ones!

The puppy is a blue Merle