I LIKE my Rooster

[Chickassan]

I'm back to liking my rooster. He went to nip my ankle and I bent down to football him but ended up just sticking my fingers in his armpits. He made this weird little cluck and hopped around in a circle, he used to do that as a chick it's still cute.

 

[Eggsakly]

Awe that's so sad!!
Stinking dog!!

It was sad. I felt pretty bad for two days.

The dog's a trip. She is close to 21 months old, half great Pyrenees, and half Karelian bear dog. OMG!!!! She is the worst dog I've ever had, and back in April I came very, very close to getting rid of her. I even called the animal shelter and talked to them about her, crying all the time.

But, after sleeping on it, I didn't do it. And she started being a much better dog. The Karelian is so primitive, so very wolfy, and she has been very difficult. I have really had to grow as a dog mom.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

View attachment 1121158

It was sad. I felt pretty bad for two days.

The dog's a trip. She is close to 21 months old, half great Pyrenees, and half Karelian bear dog. OMG!!!! She is the worst dog I've ever had

At 21 months she is still in her puppy stage. Some remain in it for about 2 to 3 years. Give her time, patience and lots of love. Work on reinforcing good behavior.

She is very pretty. How is she with the chickens?

 

[cutiepie960]

I was telling a lady I know that we finally got chickens and she told me if I got a rooster I should be prepared to kick it across the yard to show it who's boss. I was horrified.

The minute I suspected a roo in my flock I started reading about how to handle it. I've learned so much from the experts here on BYC and I'm thankful. Because I like my rooster.

I love hearing Emmet crow in the morning, which isn't too early either. He's so sweet to the girls. He calls them for treats he finds, lets them eat first, and keeps a watchful eye for predators. He's a wonderful escort for them and they all seem to like him. No bare backs, he has never hurt anyone while mating.

We've had our moments of learning and he's beginning to understand the rules. Crowing is ok if he's across the yard, no mating in line of sight. He's been goosed on his fluffy butt and chased off and kept away from the girls. Shades of @Beekissed and her excellent advice. And she's right, it's FUN! I keep him guessing...some days I don't give him an inch of slack, some days he might get a break.

I have learned too though. I don't sit with the girls on the edge of the patio any more because he started his little shoulder drop dance. I put myself in a bad position before I even thought about what I was doing. We have a picnic table where the girls join me now instead, but he's not allowed up there with me.

I've taught my kids how to handle him and the grandkids are never allowed out to see the girls without an adult.

We seem to have an agreement , he still eats from my hand, but at arms length. I'm not afraid to turn my back on him, but I do keep an eye on him. So far he keeps an eye on me too but hasn't decided to attack. View attachment 1062327

Awwww yes my roo Henry is also a Handsome boy he treats his girl heather with the utmost respect & even spoils her by watching over her & calling her when he finds a juicy bug or worm LOVE HIM!!!

 

[FrankHomestead]

View attachment 1121158

It was sad. I felt pretty bad for two days.

The dog's a trip. She is close to 21 months old, half great Pyrenees, and half Karelian bear dog. OMG!!!! She is the worst dog I've ever had, and back in April I came very, very close to getting rid of her. I even called the animal shelter and talked to them about her, crying all the time.

But, after sleeping on it, I didn't do it. And she started being a much better dog. The Karelian is so primitive, so very wolfy, and she has been very difficult. I have really had to grow as a dog mom.

Awwww yes my roo Henry is also a Handsome boy he treats his girl heather with the utmost respect & even spoils her by watching over her & calling her when he finds a juicy bug or worm LOVE HIM!!!

I think it's wild that roosters do that and not greedily gobble them up first like a dog would lol how sweet

 

[Eggsakly]

At 21 months she is still in her puppy stage. Some remain in it for about 2 to 3 years. Give her time, patience and lots of love. Work on reinforcing good behavior.

She is very pretty. How is she with the chickens?

Hi. She's awful. Not the worst, but they have to be safeguarded from her at all times.

When the chicks first arrived as two-day olds, I actually had them in living room on the floor, with a flimsy but visible barrier that she easily could have gone over. She never tried to even look at them for a couple of weeks! Her interest has grown as they have.

 

[FrankHomestead]

Hi. She's awful. Not the worst, but they have to be safeguarded from her at all times.

When the chicks first arrived as two-day olds, I actually had them in living room on the floor, with a flimsy but visible barrier that she easily could have gone over. She never tried to even look at them for a couple of weeks! Her interest has grown as they have.

I know your frustration (kind-of) I had a dog once that I think may have ruined all other dogs for me. He was absolutely perfect, he was my child before I had children. Then I got a second dog with him that was absolutely rotten despite my relentless training sessions, got rid of him without ever looking back. Now I have 2 new pups that are so very sweet but so very destructive when my back is turned. I'm still working with them and giving them time before they are rehomed.
Do not feel bad if you need to rehome that dog. You need to make a decision that is best for you and honestly if you are not seeing eye to eye or have the dog/human owner harmony going on, it's probably best for both to cut ties.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have a couple of terriers. One just wants to sniff the birds, but otherwise could care less. The female is a serious critter getter. I NEVER thought I would be able to call this dog off if she got out with the chickens but I did. Blew my mind.
Big dogs seem to stay puppies longer so it could be lack of maturity. She might respond to training. Have you tried taking her out on a leash to start?

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I love my roos. I have one who's basically satan, he doesn't live here though he lives at a family member's home- I've had him 6 years or so. He really only likes me and even then he's turned on me before. He's huge and it hurts. He has a special pen with trap doors so he can be fed and cared for without attacking said family member.

I have a group of 5 here and they are tiny bantams and so sweet. A couple are pretty big for their little britches but no one has ever gotten crazy with me.

 

[Eggsakly]

Do not feel bad if you need to rehome that dog. You need to make a decision that is best for you and honestly if you are not seeing eye to eye or have the dog/human owner harmony going on, it's probably best for both to cut ties.

The Karelian in her is a tough breed, and the Pyr is slow to mature. She actually does her job very well. I live on a couple of heavily wooded acres next to several undeveloped acres in rural Alaska. There is lots of wildlife around, including moose, the occasional bear, foxes, eagles, etc. I also live alone, am a woman, and a retired senior in my 60s. She is a guardian dog, and she works hard at it. She is always on the job. Prior to her I had a beautiful wolf-dog that was world-class protective. I couldn't have chickens at all with that wolf-dog!

I occasionally hire people, almost always men, to deliver heating oil, cut trees, deliver wood for the wood stove, remove stumps, repair some things, and other stuff I can't do or easily do. A protective dog makes a big difference in my life.

She is also very, very loving, even hilarious about it. But I will never get another spitz breed, and I wouldn't if I had another fifty years in me.