How do u train your puppy NOT to chase chickens?

[HeatherRoss]

I have a 7 week old Weimaraner and hes started chasing my chickens and ducks. He dont really try to catch them but he runs after them until they fly off. Im afraid as he gets older and bigger though he will kill them. Does anyone have any advice on how to traing him not to chase them? Thanks!!

 

[cassie]

Get a shock collar. You can find them very reasonably on eBay. Meanwhile, keep him from chasing the chickens. The more he chases the harder it will be to break him of it. You might try a throw chain. A large metal choke collar will work. Throw it at his rump when he is after the chickens. Make sure he doesn't see you throw it. He needs to think it is a result of chasing the chickens and not caused by you. Don't let him see you retrieve it.

 

[windtryst]

Every day from 8 weeks, I took Wyn on a leash to the coop with me to feed & care for the chickens. She followed me around while I did my chores, and sat while I gave the chicks their treats, ( she did not get any ) . She was never off the leash in the yard till she was 9 months old. Now we have 2 acres in invisible fence and she can run around and is fine with the chickens. She thinks they are Pez dispencers ( loves to walk behind them & eat the poop

It was a lot of work, but worth it.

 

[Luna_Chick66]

I wouldn't recommend a shock collar. You can do more damage with those things than good. I don't even think shock collars should be on the market for the general public because they are so misused.

You probably need to start at the beginning with basic commands, etc.

I am a member of APTD (http://www.apdt.com/ and did a 4 year dog training apprenticeship.

Also, there is a great deal of popular literature and tv dog shows related to training dogs that is full of mythology and pseudoscience. pennies in jars, shock collars, throwing things at the dog ridiculous.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Luna_Chick66, there are a lot of very obedient dogs that will still chase chickens.

What would you do if you have an otherwise wonderful obedient dog chases chickens?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Must be a day for chicken chasing, huh Brindle?

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Quote:
Alot depends. What kind of dog is it? Some dogs have quite a prey drive. My female Leo is one of them and I will be dealing with this issue myself when my chicks go outside. I have managed to integrate quite a few cats in myhouse, so I know it's not impossible. It did take TIME and PATIENCE, tho, and LOTS of supervision and rewards when I got my desired behaviors I wanted.

I do not recommend shock collars. period. Only people who understand how dogs learn should use them (if at all). They were developed by a trainer that used them on his hunting dogs to stop them from chasing dangerous animals like cougars, etc. If you use a shock collar to get your dog to stop chasing chickens you could make your dog WORSE... your dog can become fearful and more aggressive towards your chickens. Dogs learn thru association. Your dog will associate the chickens with getting shocked.

 

[ducks4you]

Stop worrying about your birds and train your dog to L I S T E N to you! I have had to retrain my 50 pound border collie mix (Rose) NOT to grab the horses by the tail to stop them!!!! It IS possible. First, I agree with the post about leash training. Next, train your dog to sit. My 2 dogs will sit when I tell them to, as when someone is driving in or out of the driveway. (NOBODY wants to run over your dog!) Next, train your dog to stay. Loyal dogs want to run back to be with you, but if a busy road is in the way, they'll be hit and killed. e o s (end of story, for those who didn't know)

Your dog will think the training is playtime with YOU! My (other)dog, Pygma will go outside before I'm dressed for chores and wait for me. It's the same game every day--She dances around me and says, "Pyg loves you, Duck!!! C'mon, Duck---play with your Pyg!!" As your dog gets older, the training sessions can get longer and longer. If you persist and do lots and lots of verbal rewarding, everybody is gonna wonder why they didn't get your breed of dog.

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Stop worrying about your birds and train your dog to L I S T E N to you!

B-I-N-G-O!

 

[Brindlebtch]

If you persist and do lots and lots of verbal rewarding, everybody is gonna wonder why they didn't get your breed of dog.

I tell people all the time that they don't want an AmStaff. Mine are trained well enough I have that exact problem.