How do I train my husky to not kill my chicks?

[PotatoHead]

We conditioned our dogs that the chickens are part of the pack from the time they were small chicks. Holding and petting the chicks in front of the dogs and giving the dogs lots of opportunity to investigate/smell/lick them, while we’re holding them . Eventually the dogs realized they were pets not prey and the novelty of investigating the chickens wore off.

We can all be in the yard, dogs off leash and chickens free ranging, without issue.

I have a Karelian Bear Dog with an extremely high predatory drive, although I can pretty much call her off of anything.....after extensive training with a shock collar. Also a Australian Shepard who wouldn’t hurt a fly

The real issue is with the cat. He’s a big boy, 15lbs, and loves to kill mice and rabbits etc.

The other day the ladies were in their run with the door open while I was doing some cleaning. The cat approached the run and ALL 8 LADIES came rushing out like a crazy mob and chased the cat away!! It was hilarious

 

[llombardo]

We conditioned our dogs that the chickens are part of the pack from the time they were small chicks. Holding and petting the chicks in front of the dogs and giving the dogs lots of opportunity to investigate/smell/lick them, while we’re holding them . Eventually the dogs realized they were pets not prey and the novelty of investigating the chickens wore off.

We can all be in the yard, dogs off leash and chickens free ranging, without issue.

I have a Karelian Bear Dog with an extremely high predatory drive, although I can pretty much call her off of anything.....after extensive training with a shock collar. Also a Australian Shepard who wouldn’t hurt a fly

The real issue is with the cat. He’s a big boy, 15lbs, and loves to kill mice and rabbits etc.

The other day the ladies were in their run with the door open while I was doing some cleaning. The cat approached the run and ALL 8 LADIES came rushing out like a crazy mob and chased the cat away!! It was hilarious

Love the bear dogs. Two of my shepherds stopped an argument between the roosters. They don't like when the girls squeal because the boys grab them either. They definitely want peace.

 

[llombardo]

We conditioned our dogs that the chickens are part of the pack from the time they were small chicks. Holding and petting the chicks in front of the dogs and giving the dogs lots of opportunity to investigate/smell/lick them, while we’re holding them . Eventually the dogs realized they were pets not prey and the novelty of investigating the chickens wore off.

We can all be in the yard, dogs off leash and chickens free ranging, without issue.

I have a Karelian Bear Dog with an extremely high predatory drive, although I can pretty much call her off of anything.....after extensive training with a shock collar. Also a Australian Shepard who wouldn’t hurt a fly

The real issue is with the cat. He’s a big boy, 15lbs, and loves to kill mice and rabbits etc.

The other day the ladies were in their run with the door open while I was doing some cleaning. The cat approached the run and ALL 8 LADIES came rushing out like a crazy mob and chased the cat away!! It was hilarious

Love the bear dogs. Two of my shepherds stopped an argument between the roosters. They don't like when the girls squeal because the boys grab them either. They definitely want peace.

 

[Geena]

I gave 3 GSDs, all with different levels of energy--all with high prey drive. My dogs get a solid 1-1.5 years of training in the door. They are neutral to the chickens but they are dogs, they have instincts. For that reason they never have access to the chickens. It only takes a blink for a fatality. I also have a greyhound/husky. He is fast and he is and will never be allowed within 20 ft of the chickens in the enclosure.

My girl has an extremely high prey drive, no critters are allowed in her territory, not even big birds flying overhead, lol. But she has a good solid "leave it" that I used to teach her the chickens and turkeys are off limits. She does love to "help" me with the poultry, herding them this way or that when needed, and her favorite task, catching any escapees. She holds them down with her paws, completely unharmed, although often slobbered on, until I get there to collect them.

BUT Huskies tend to be more independent and less biddable than GSDs, so I'm thinking no access would probably be the best option for the OP.

 

[llombardo]

BUT Huskies tend to be more independent and less biddable than GSDs, so I'm thinking no access would probably be the best option for the OP.

I just envisioned a GSD stopping and giving a dirty look and a husky gone in the wind like I don't hear you...

 

[Birdsong 82]

One of my dogs a yellow border collie has wanted to be friends and play with the chickens very calmly since day one. My older dog who is a German Shepherd Collie mix who is the biggest sweetest love muffin in the world completely changed when she saw the chickens. I’ve never seen that look in her eyes and was surprised that I did. But it is natural instinct. After working with her for three years she really couldn’t care less that the chickens are there she just walks around them and she could be out playing in the yard while they free range without any issue. It just takes some training. I have enough acreage my dogs only go on a leash to go somewhere outside the house. But I pulled the leash out and in small amounts well able to hold the dog just slowly introduced her and made her watch me hold him and feed them and handle them. It took a while but after a while she realize they are friends and not food. Keeping them on a leash while training is there is a good idea. As far as shock collars I don’t think they are cruel depending on the use meaning not being Miss used. Some dogs have thicker skulls than others. But some with really really thick skulls ignore the shock. My friend had one of those. But I think you could be successful just working with the dog little by little. And I’m very sorry To hear about your loss

 

[Fishkeeper]

Plenty of cruel things are perfectly legal. Shock collars being legal doesn't mean they aren't cruel. They are an absolute last resort, to be used only when a dog cannot be trained any other way. It is far too easy to misuse them, they should never be recommended as the first solution.

Dogs are related to wolves, but they are not wolves. With proper training, you can put a raw steak in front of a dog and the dog won't touch it. If a dog loves you, the dog wants to make you happy. Most dogs want to make random nice humans happy. I'm not saying they don't want to chase and eat chickens, I'm saying you can teach them not to do it in order to make you happy. It's trickier once the dog has caught a chicken, but you can teach a dog to stop. They aren't mindless killing machines.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Plenty of cruel things are perfectly legal. Shock collars being legal doesn't mean they aren't cruel. They are an absolute last resort, to be used only when a dog cannot be trained any other way. It is far too easy to misuse them, they should never be recommended as the first solution.

Dogs are related to wolves, but they are not wolves. With proper training, you can put a raw steak in front of a dog and the dog won't touch it. If a dog loves you, the dog wants to make you happy. Most dogs want to make random nice humans happy. I'm not saying they don't want to chase and eat chickens, I'm saying you can teach them not to do it in order to make you happy. It's trickier once the dog has caught a chicken, but you can teach a dog to stop. They aren't mindless killing machines.

Yes definitely I would use shock collar as training for a very hardheaded dog and last resort. And you’re right where it is a natural instinct for them to chase and kill the chicken they can be trained to do otherwise. I’m sure it’s because they are domesticated unlike coyotes in such. I think the type of training really depends on what type of dog you have. I’ve never used a shock collar on my dog and really would hate to have to because I would hate to hurt them. But I had a friend who had a dog who is Skull was so thick The only option she had was the shock collar. And it worked well and after a few months she got to take the collar off because he was trained. Most dogs can be trained without it I think though. But they’re all different

 

[llombardo]

My dogs are raw fed. My older male GSD caught a baby bunny last year. He didn't try eating it but would not release and the dog knows drop it. I had to bring him into the house and give him a chicken leg quarter to drop the bunny. Normally would I do that? Nope, but I was only focused on that bunny. The bunny lived for an hour afterwards--I couldn't save the little thing. I was upset at myself, not the dog.he is always finding baby things but most don't make squeaky noises like the bunny. Mine don't really need to chase a chicken to eat because they actually get chicken almost every day.

 

[mowin]

We have a lab grayhound mix. When we get chickens, I'll definitely have to keep Leha away from them. Her instinct to chase is so incredibly strong. She blocks out everything's including my "NO's" that she always listens to....well almost always.