How do I introduce my dog and cat to my chickens?

How should I introduce my pets to my hens?

  • Let them meet each other through a fence

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • Keep pets on leashes

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • One at a time

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Just be there to referee

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    6
I read something on Pinterest a post someone made they walked the dog around on a short leash an having the dog sit an watch while the chicken free ranged. Walk the dog around the chickens or near ect. Im surw you can find something more indepth of this process or others to comment. But i wouldnt just let them free while chickens arw out in about. And i have no idea about cats. I feel its natural for them to want to kill birds. But i dont know i have no cats nor a cat person. But I have a female boxer that wants to kill mine an a male bullmastiff that likes to watch them an wants to play with them. This summer hopefully i can train him to behave around them so they can be around each in the summer. Hes more of a playful lover to other animals. Best of luck!
I think the cat is likely to avoid them, given their size and activity. He is a hunter but of lizards and mice. The hens will be larger in size than he though not as heavy. My dog is a herder so I'm hoping she will adopt this flock and be a protector. I will go slow in introducing them and ensure the birds are safe.
 
honestly, you don't need to "introduce" them at all. Simply teach her to ignore them. Does she already have a "leave it" command? And the cat, since they won't be small enough to be viewed as prey, isn't likely to have much interest in them.

ind 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.
My dog is 10 and knows the leave it command. But she is a herder so is naturally interested in the flock. She's only had 1 cat to herd all these years, so I'm guessing will be eager to adopt the hens as her flock. If she can relax around them that would be ideal. Otherwise when they are loose in the yard she will be I inside it on a leash by my side.
 
View attachment 1220794 I have a German shorthair pointer and a terrier mix. I did most of my training on the leash. We would go on walks while my chickens were free ranging. My terrier was the first to be able to walk through the birds without alerting so she started to be monitored without the leash. Since my GSP is a bird dog, it took longer, but she learned to walk amongst the chickens with extra practice. Both dogs are great around the birds, but it took a lot of work to get them there. Personally, I preferred leash training so that I could correct unwanted behaviors instantly. I attached a pic of some chics riding my pointer during training.
Good Dogs!
 

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