Help! Too much puppy love!

[Kaitlynn]

I have a 6 month old blue heeler who plays too rough and ends up killing my chickens. I have tried spanking her, and locking Her in the kennel but nothing works. She doesn't eat the chicken once it's dead and I have been lucky enough to find some half slobbered on and was able to save them. But basically she just holds the chicken down and sucks and chews on it. How do I break her???

 

[cavemanrich]

ONLY SUGGESTION I have is ...... replace BLUE HEELER with what I have. You and your chickens will be HAPPY...
AND

This is an internet picture but identical to my baby. =D=D=D

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

I have an amazing havanese. They were originally bred as guard dogs, companions, haha and poultry herders.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Blue heelers are called "heelers" for a reason, they were bred to bite at the heels of animals and herd them. Its your dogs instinct, its in its blood. I think you should just try to keep your dog and chickens separate.

 

[LI chickie]

Spanking your dog is not the answer it will only teach the dog to fear you. Step up the obedience training and go to a herding class.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Spanking your dog is not the answer it will oy teach the dog to fear you. Step up the obedience training and go to a herding class.

He/she/it will only decide that you are angry because your pooch is not killing your chickens fast enough and he/she/it will double and redouble its efforts to please you by killing more chickens faster. However spanking your dog with a chicken that it killed may work.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

He/she/it will only decide that you are angry because your pooch is not killing your chickens fast enough and he/she/it will double and redouble its efforts to please you by killing more chickens faster. However spanking your dog with a chicken that it killed may work.

This is a good point, dogs often kill to please their masters.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Keep the dog & chickens apart until if & when you can trust her. Spanking the dog will do nothing. Being alpha is a crock. Dogs don't kill for their master. Even my bird dog isn't supposed to kill a bird, she is suppose to find & flush it! Some dogs are playing, but that doesn't stop them killing a bird. Master the leave it command & all will work out. If it doesn't, then dogs & chickens can never be out together.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Dogs don't kill for their master.

I would disagree with this. Some dogs definitely do kill to please their masters. Even cats will do it- how many cat owners have received dead or half dead birds/mice/rabbits from their outdoor cats? Dogs will do it too. It depends on breed and temperament/instincts. I knew a dog who would run into a river, pull out a fish or frog, kill it, run back and drop it in his owner's lap. He would do it all day if near the river. He could never be trained out of it and eventually was just not allowed near water.

 

[SeaZaw]

I've got a treeing walker coonhound that initially was WAY too interested in my chickens - staring intently, ears up, tail wagging slowly, generally "excited with intent" posture (which is a lot for him, haha). He wasn't allowed direct access to the chickens until we broke him of his excited interest. I'd recommend standing out there with your dog, and as soon as he looks at the chickens, break his focus. Nudge him, make noises like "tssh tssh!" and tell him no. If he goes after them, pull him off the chicken, and tell him "No!" Then separate him from the chickens - kennel, house, where ever he can't get to them. Basically, let him know that chicken mouthing will NOT be tolerated, and is NOT what he is supposed to do. Blue heelers are smart, and should learn pretty quick.

If that fails, I'd see if you can borrow a shock-correction collar from a friend, or purchase one yourself. Try to break the dog out of its intent on the chicken with nudging and corrective noises like before, but if he actually GOES AFTER a chicken, correct him with a mild zap. After a couple of failed chicken mauling attempts, he should be done. Hope this helps!