How do I get my dog to stop attacking?

[Roy]

Agreed, I would build them a nice run and be done with it...

 

[CKMom]

I am sorry that your dogs and chickens are not coexisiting nicely. Our lab met the chickens when they were 2 days old. They were kept in a secure brooder, but I made sure to let the dog see them every day, and even smell and touch them. Whenever she got excited, she was told leave it, and was taken out of the room. Then the chicks went to the coop/secure run, and I still make it a point to let the dog tag along , and she even waits at the door while I clean the dropping board. She has had a few chickens get loose and free range around her, but she just watches them, and doesn't chase. I would not trust her to spend the night in the coop with them, but supervised shes been great. Some dogs have a much stronger prey drive, and think that is what they are supposed to do. My dog actually hates all songbirds, hawks, and the occasional helicopter that flies over, but the chickens are ok in her book, and I believe it is because of early exposure to them, and asserting that they were mine.
Good luck with the new birds

 

[krawphish]

Thanks for all the responses...
Re-homing my schnauzer isn't an option. He and I have a bond. But I will take his manhood away. My mutt seemed to lose alot of prey drive when he got fixed. Allegedly testerone = higher prey drive. I'm going to build the chickies a run, and make a chickens are in/chickens are out sign for the back door. I don't think I'll ever completely trust them alone, but it'd be nice to lay in the hammock with my silkie and let the girls free range and the doggies play with my son on a sunday afternoon. but that's wishful thinking I guess. I read somewhere that if he kills again to tie the dead bird around his neck until it rots off, but it seemed inhumane, but if it works I may try it. Anyone ever heard of that?

 

[Kittymomma]

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Roos are great and I love mine, but a schnauzer that has already discoverd that it can kill the squeaky toys running around the yard isn't going to be detered by a rooster. Keeping the dogs and the chickens apart is the only safe thing to do.

 

[Kittymomma]

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My husband did that with his lab/pointer and it worked, but it's not always succesfull. Again, I wish I had happier advice for you.

 

[Longhaven Hen]

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I should mention that I do have two dogs, one a Dalmatian that is generally very well behaved around the flock; however, if he starts bounding around in excitement while in the chicken yard, he is immediately evicted. Our other dog is a German Shepherd/Dingo mix. She has NEVER been allowed in the chicken yard, and initially anytime a chicken flew over into her yard, she was reprimanded sharply. She has never exhibited any aggression toward our chickens, and in spite of the fact that we may be inclined to trust her for good behavior, we do not trust her breeding, especially the Dingo in her, so we've chosen to be safe rather than sorry. Now when a chicken flies into her yard, she tucks her tail and runs, expecting a reprimand. Instead, we escort her into the house and praise her, replacing the initial negative reinforcement with positive reinforcement.

 

[Longhaven Hen]

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Depending on how old your dog is, "taking his manhood" may or may not fix the problem. Neutering an animal later in life does not always yield a more docile creature. I'm not sure I would rely on neutering as an effective means of behavior modification at this point.

 

[Tala]

Would it be impossible to just always keep the dog on a leash while he's in the yard?
I mean, you lay in your hammock in the afternoon, the dog lays with you and he's attached to a 20ft training leash. That way you can get him back if he takes off for the chickens. When you go in the house, the dog goes in with you. Simple.
(I assume your dog is already leash trained.)

 

[Longhaven Hen]

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My dogs are never on a leash, but they have never given me a reason to put them on a leash. I suppose it could work as long as you are EXTREMELY VIGILANT, and if a chicken were to wander too close, well, that might be its bad. I wouldn't use that as my long term solution, but it may get you by until you can come up with something more secure. You'll have to experiment and come up with a system that works for you. Just don't EVER, EVER let down your guard and trust the dogs. Accidents may happen, but I think you will be able to come up with a plan that minimizes their frequency.

My yard is divided into three sections: the chicken run proper (where the coop is located), the chicken free-range zone (Dalmatian crossing, but NO DINGOS ALLOWED!), and the dog yard (chickens prohibited, but occasionally sighted). Humans have free access to all areas, and enjoy all areas thoroughly. Because your dogs are small, digging will be a greater concern than jumping. Don't know how much property or yard space you have, but you might want to consider a sub-division scheme, with an uber secure area for the flock when you cannot be on duty.

 

[PhilErvin]

I have a Boarder Terrier and they were bred to chase varmits. I love my dog dearly and so I set my chickens up where the Terrier can't get to them. When we go out to be with the girls my Terrier throws a fit so a filled a squirt bottle with clean water and I tell him to behave and then I squirt him in the face. He is only irritated for a few seconds and then just keeps an eye on us through the fence.
Some years ago my Dad was tormented by the neighbor's dogs when he would go out in his orchards. They would run up to the fence and bark and startle him. They would continue to bark as long as he was near so he filled a bottle with water and added some amonia. He squirted them a couple of times and they left him alone from then on. No harm other than taking their breath away momently.
If it came to one or the other I would choose my dog, but I'd rather keep my girls as well.
Good luck