HELP !!!! My dog is killing our ducks!

[Chiki_Minaj]

Hi Everyone

Our 10-month-old Bernese mountain puppy is killing our pet ducks! She is a very kind and loving dog and she doesn't kill or chase when we are there. she has done this twice and at first, we thought she was trying to play with them but then she did it again. I am so lost and done knowing what to do. PLEASE I will take any advice I really don't want to have to get rid of her will dogs kill ducks just for the taste? Thank you any help is helpful.

 

[AnnieD]

Oh I'm so sorry, how devastating for you, Bernese don't usually have a high prey drive, and as its happening while you're not there, she cant be left on her own with/near them
my Rottie (massive prey drive) was great with my rabbits when I was there but couldn't leave him out with them, I hope you can get it sorted

 

[Callender Girl]

I got a Great Pyrenees as a livestock guardian, and when it was clear that she was a great dog but totally unsuited to the job (lack of training by her previous owners), she became a house dog. Pearl was a gentle giant but didn't understand that she was too big to play with poultry and too enthusiastic to "herd" livestock.

It seems you will have somehow keep everyone separated -- pen the ducks or the dog, put the dog on a long tie-out when she's outdoors. MAYBE a professional trainer could reorient your girl, but in the meantime, just keep everyone safe; never leave them alone together.

 

[Canina]

Hi Everyone

Our 10-month-old Bernese mountain puppy is killing our pet ducks! She is a very kind and loving dog and she doesn't kill or chase when we are there. she has done this twice and at first, we thought she was trying to play with them but then she did it again. I am so lost and done knowing what to do. PLEASE I will take any advice I really don't want to have to get rid of her will dogs kill ducks just for the taste? Thank you any help is helpful.

A dog is a carnivore before it is your pet as much as we like to think we control everything.it is not in the least bit surprising she would do this because despite any selective breeding or training as a working dog, she’s still a dog at the end of the day. Of course a duck is delicious meal to them.

The most obvious thing to do is keep the dog away from your ducks. If you are going to have animals you need to select and prepare their accommodation first and foremost. You need to be able to secure your animals. If they’re not secure from your dog then what about foxes and badgers? Why are they even anywhere near eachother? Do you not have fencing or a secure pen/run? Do you let the dog roam around off leash unsupervised? If yes then it is pretty obvious what you need to do. If you want want the dog to kill the ducks keep the dog away from the ducks…?!!!!

 

[Finnie]

I would like to point out the age of the puppy. At 10 months-ish age, even trained livestock dogs go through a “teenager” phase where their hormones kick in and they test the boundaries. This is a crucial phase for teaching your pup what is and isn’t allowed. You can work with her on leash around the ducks to teach her to ignore them. Don’t let her interact with them alone or off leash until she learns. Until she grows out of this phase and becomes trustworthy. This could take several months.

Also, if you are hoping to use her for a livestock guardian, you can learn a lot by reading the LGD forums over on Backyard Herds. Go to the bottom of BYC, and look for the links to the sister sites. Friendly group over there, and they have a lot of experience with dogs and livestock.

 

[igorsMistress]

You need to train your dog it’s not ok to go anywhere near your flock and lock her up when you’re not there until she’s been trained to do the right thing. Even then I might think twice, she’s already had the chase and kill experience.

 

[Chiki_Minaj]

A dog is a carnivore before it is your pet as much as we like to think we control everything.it is not in the least bit surprising she would do this because despite any selective breeding or training as a working dog, she’s still a dog at the end of the day. Of course a duck is delicious meal to them.

The most obvious thing to do is keep the dog away from your ducks. If you are going to have animals you need to select and prepare their accommodation first and foremost. You need to be able to secure your animals. If they’re not secure from your dog then what about foxes and badgers? Why are they even anywhere near eachother? Do you not have fencing or a secure pen/run? Do you let the dog roam around off leash unsupervised? If yes then it is pretty obvious what you need to do. If you want want the dog to kill the ducks keep the dog away from the ducks…?!!!!

Well they are in a pen but during the winter months the dogs can jump over the fence because of the snow. And the ducks are safe from foxes and badgers because the dogs keep them away. The dogs and ducks are separated!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Hi Everyone

Our 10-month-old Bernese mountain puppy is killing our pet ducks! She is a very kind and loving dog and she doesn't kill or chase when we are there. she has done this twice and at first, we thought she was trying to play with them but then she did it again. I am so lost and done knowing what to do. PLEASE I will take any advice I really don't want to have to get rid of her will dogs kill ducks just for the taste? Thank you any help is helpful.

I am assuming its cause she is ten months she probably watches them for flap and do all the things and think that's a fun toy. You have to wait to leave her out side by herself till at least 3 years. After being with them with you and etc. Its a very long process. I am in the middle of chicken train my animals since there puppys.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

I have an 11 year saint bernard. I couldn't leave her with chickens until she was 4 now she does great. Sleeps eats and hangs out with them. You have to give it time. Get them trained, wait for them to calm down. You dog simply probably has to much energy.

 

[Chiki_Minaj]

Thank you for all your help I will take it all into consideration.