I don't know what to do with my dogs!

[nursebay]

I'm about ready to loose my mind. My stupid mutts that I just got has killed half my flock! Now it would appear they found away into the coop and no chickens just feathers! I've tried beating the dogs with the dead birds. I am going to get shock collars, but I don't know what to do. I am so ticked. Any advice? My kids really want these dogs, but I am about ready to shoot them.

They are 1/2 dalmation 1/2 english setters.

 

[KellyHM]

You need to build a coop that is predator proof. If your dogs can get in I'm sure that other things will be able to also.

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

You need to contain those dogs first off. Then, please read up on expert dog training as soon as possible. Beating your dogs with the bodies of the chickens is wrong and won't accomplish anything.

 

[Just-Like-Hatching]

I have an invisible fence around my coop and yard and it works great...

 

[FarmerDenise]

As frustrating as it is, beating the dogs isn't going to make them play nice with the chickens.
Our dog doesn't intentionally kill the chickens, she likes to pull off the fluffy stuff and get the squeaker out as she does with the other toys. We had to make sure she couldn't get to the chickens and that the chickens couldn't get out.
It is a dog's nature to chase what runs, it is up to us to keep the chickens safe. Good fencing is the only way I know how.
Sorry about the loss of your chickens.

 

[ChickenTender63]

The chickens need to be kept in a predator proof run and coop. A dog will be a dog and kill the chickens.

And with the dog being 1/2 dalmation, you might have your hands full of more than just trying to train it around chickens. Dalmations are known to be aggresive and tempermental around children.

If they have killed the chickens, and have been beat with their bodies afterwards, I sure wouldn't let the children alone in the yard with them now, because they have been taught dangerous behaviors.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth with dalmations, sorry. You really ought to consider getting rid of them.

 

[nursebay]

That is what I was told to do by a trainer was to beat them with the dead carcuses. They said if that didn't work to try tying the dead chicken to thier necks, and if that didn't work get a shock collar and give them a shock if they go near the coop/chickens.

The dogs are very sweet and loving around the kids. They let the kids lay all over them, and don't flinch. If I felt they were dangerous around the kids, I'd have them put down immediately.

I am so frustrated. I thought my coop WAS preditor proof! I hate tying any animal up, but I think its time to buld the dogs an outdoor kennel. We live on a ranch and I hate tying the dogs up. We have another enlish setter and various other dogs (not my dogs buy family memebers that live on the ranch too) and they have lived harmoneously with the chickens running free for over a year.

Is there any other teqniques that will work?

 

[ChickenTender63]

Please be careful with those dogs around children and do your research. Yes, dalmations are sweet, most of the time.But, they are known to snap in a split second around children.

I speak from experience here. A friend didn't head the warning and had a 4 year old that lost a leg because of it. The dog was put down, but it's a little late when you have a toddler that can't walk.

They are very well known to do this around children. They aren't the sweet disney dog everybody thinks they are.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
This is really NOT true. Dals got a bad rap when they were being so badly overbred after the 101 Dalmatians movie, but a lot of those problems are gone now that the fad has mostly passed.

However, dals ARE very energetic dogs. So are English setters. I bet the cross of the two has produced pups with LOTS and LOTS of energy, as well as lots of prey drive.

These guys need something to keep them busy! Toys, training, exercise, runs. The saying is "a tired dog is a good dog". It's true! And when I say "exercise" I don't mean just running around the ranch at will. I mean taking them out and running with them, or biking while they run. I mean throwing a ball for hours at a time. And so on. Remember, a bored dog is a dog that is going to be looking around for something to get into.

Good luck! I personally don't think that you'll ever be able to really be able to trust these dogs with the birds, but giving them lots of work and exercise will at least make it easier for you to control them!

Oh, I forgot -- edited to add, I own a dal and she absolutely ADORES children. The other dals I know are basically the same. The key with children is also training, training, training!

 

[nursebay]

THanks for the info on the dals. My brother-in-law who is a vet said each dog has its own personality. He personally has an english setter and he's the most sweetest dog I have met. He doesn't bother the chickens either. My daugher does play with the dogs for hours upon hours.

Im hoping to deter thier behavior with some of the suggestions on here. I feel like I let my chickens down by getting puppies for the kids. My husband is not helping making me feel even more guilty. sighhhh.