Help, I have an aggressive dog

[Stephine]

This will not work if the humans in charge are not all on the same page. Just saying no or zapping are not training approaches. The electric fence or the colar may work initially, but Schipperke are smart and they will know if ever the fence or the colar is off and take advantage.
That's why I suggested a professional.

 

[PD-Riverman]

This way neither of you will be the bad guy in the dogs eyes (seems to be a problem)

I always wanted my dogs to know whom was correcting their behavior. I did not want my dog thinking......well daddy hasn't corrected me so I know what I am doing is good---if I can just get this shock collar figured out---lol....and they Knew where their punishment was coming from.

 

[aart]

If your hubby basically lets him get away with it, I wouldn't expect any improvement soon.
put the hot collar on your hubby and when the dog acts up. zap hubby.. now you will have both of their attention.
I am guessing you did not raise this dog from a pup.?
like maybe you inherited someone else's problem.?

in short, the whole family has to be of one mind and lean on the pooch together..

ROLF!!

Last sentence is a very good point.

 

[duluthralphie]

Your problem can become larger. If the other dogs watch this and the dog gets a chicken, you can expect them to join in. Dogs are pack animals, what one does they all do.

It will take work to get that dog trustworthy. I am not sure I would even attempt to. Rehoming to a home where it is the only dog would work...


You said "This is one of my two husbands dogs", I was wondering does your other husband have a dog?





Good Luck retraining the Husband, the dog will be easy when that is done.

 

[wvchics]

I do not think you need to pay a professional. I have trained lots of dogs. Consistency is key. Do not ever let him get away with it even once without some sort of reprimand. You have to make it a big deal every time. If he doesn't like being tied every time he tries correct him firmly and leave him tied up for about 5-10 min. Then try again. The dog will begin to associate the chickens with discipline and learn to stear clear. If the dog doesn't mind being tied either tie him up where he can't see anyone (dogs are pack animals) or try a crate. Either way the dog has to associate something negative every time it tries. Don't wait until it's already digging start correcting him as soon as he even shows interest with a firm his name followed by no. If he ignores this then repeat the verbal cue again while ushering him to his time out. I have trained a PitBull that hated cats to accept mine. She still didn't like other cats, but eventually learned mine was off limits. I am now training my cat not to notice my chickens. Most of the time now she keeps her distance, but she is still tempted at times. I just make sure to correct her as soon as she starts stalking. It just takes time and patience

 

[duluthralphie]

I do not think you need to pay a professional. I have trained lots of dogs. Consistency is key. Do not ever let him get away with it even once without some sort of reprimand. You have to make it a big deal every time. If he doesn't like being tied every time he tries correct him firmly and leave him tied up for about 5-10 min. Then try again. The dog will begin to associate the chickens with discipline and learn to stear clear. If the dog doesn't mind being tied either tie him up where he can't see anyone (dogs are pack animals) or try a crate. Either way the dog has to associate something negative every time it tries. Don't wait until it's already digging start correcting him as soon as he even shows interest with a firm his name followed by no. If he ignores this then repeat the verbal cue again while ushering him to his time out. I have trained a PitBull that hated cats to accept mine. She still didn't like other cats, but eventually learned mine was off limits. I am now training my cat not to notice my chickens. Most of the time now she keeps her distance, but she is still tempted at times. I just make sure to correct her as soon as she starts stalking. It just takes time and patience

excellent advice, even with a professional trainer the dog will revert to this behavior without the needed follow through.

 

[aart]

Duplicate thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-i-have-an-aggressive-dog.1180882/

 

[wvchics]

You said it duluthralphie. It's a matter of dominance and respect to get a dog to obey you over it's instinct, but if it sees you as dominant it will. Just because a dog listens to one person does not mean it will listen to another. Ultimately you have to be the one to teach the dog they are your chickens and he can't have them. This is how a dog pack works. Chickens are food and they will not take food off of a dominant only a submissive or someone below him in the pecking order.

 

[Stephine]

I do not think you need to pay a professional. I have trained lots of dogs. Consistency is key. Do not ever let him get away with it even once without some sort of reprimand. You have to make it a big deal every time. If he doesn't like being tied every time he tries correct him firmly and leave him tied up for about 5-10 min. Then try again. The dog will begin to associate the chickens with discipline and learn to stear clear. If the dog doesn't mind being tied either tie him up where he can't see anyone (dogs are pack animals) or try a crate. Either way the dog has to associate something negative every time it tries. Don't wait until it's already digging start correcting him as soon as he even shows interest with a firm his name followed by no. If he ignores this then repeat the verbal cue again while ushering him to his time out. I have trained a PitBull that hated cats to accept mine. She still didn't like other cats, but eventually learned mine was off limits. I am now training my cat not to notice my chickens. Most of the time now she keeps her distance, but she is still tempted at times. I just make sure to correct her as soon as she starts stalking. It just takes time and patience

excellent advice, even with a professional trainer the dog will revert to this behavior without the needed follow through.

Yes, some people wouldn't need to consult a professional to train this dog, but I have a feeling that a person up for that job would not post the question here like the OP did.
I would look for a trainer who focuses on positive reinforcement first, pressure and release second.
The trainer would visit the house, assess the situation first hand and give advice on how to handle the dog. He can start the work with the dog and demonstrate correct training, answer questions but of course the training needs to continue when the trainer leaves or the whole exercise is pointless.

 

[Corona Ranch]

Some dog breeds are more prey driven than others and can't have that trained out of them. I would do some research on your dog breed and see what kind of training would suit him best. I have 2 huskies and a boston terrier and the most I have been able to do with the huskies is train them to ignore the coop when they are out and chickens are cooped up. My boston can be out with the chickens while supervised. It really depends on the breed.