i never thought my own dog would fall into this category (UPDATED PG.8

[agnes_day]

Quote:
no its just a pirate chicken LOL

oh! im sorry!!

 

[Emzyyy]

He's just playful its any dogs natural instinct to chase small animals, especially if they run or fly.

 

[thechickenchick]

Quote:
no its just a pirate chicken LOL

oh! im sorry!!

Hey! Don't feel bad, that's what I thought too!!

 

[BellLisamo]

darn it i figured everyone would think it was homer. ughhh

=O( i need to change it. lol.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

are you sure you want to give the dog the boot? do you want to try training him - especially if he is so young.

the thing with 'one chance' is that he doesnt have a way to figure out not to do that again. we have a heeler mix. she is a pain, stubborn, grumpy and has a bad attitude. and she grabbed one of my hens. once. that was it. and yes it was A Very Sad Day To Be A Dog. but she never has done it again.

my two shepherds - about 8 months... that seems to be some turning point then again at 2 years - got 2 of my hens.. really they were just playing and it wasnt predatory. but i worked with them and now they really are a huge help.

give Mr. Hen Grabber a job to do with the hens like, sit over there while you get the feed. it can be anything just so he is involved. have him go around the hen house or do a perimeter of the yard . tie his leash to your belt and have him come with you every time you go out and correct any interest in the hens other than rounding them up or finding a lost one.

my dogs are invaluable to my work on the farm. they do everything from help me find lost chickens, warn me about hawks, and keep the geese in check.

most working dogs - like heelers really just need a job to keep out of trouble. as we say here, a tired dog is a quiet dog and you should exhaust him every single day with work work work.

just some thoughts - good luck!

 

[lil'chickies]

I have to agree with ohiofarmgirl. Give the pup a job to do. They are very intelligent dogs and love to work. That advice sounds awesome and plan to use it with my 4 month old german shepherd. I let her meet the babies and when she tried to nibble I thumped her nose. Not hard, just enough to let her know that it wasn't acceptible. Then she would come in from outside, go stick her head over the side of the brooder, look at them, then come lay down. She just checked on them. Heelers will learn fast with guidance.

Good luck.

 

[greathorse]

I do not think it is necessary to include in the ad that he is a known chicken killer. Let folks looking for a heeler call. Let them know of his attributes and see if you have interest. I think you should let them know after contact has been established and they begin to seek more information.

Odds are folks looking for a dog wont have birds on the place. YOu dont want the ad to come off looking like he is a mean dog unless of course he is.

JMO

 

[BellLisamo]

Quote:
Cowboy follows me to each pen and watches intently. The minute they fly up he trys to snap at them through the wire (im always in the inside when he does). My husband has tried numerous times to make him stop. I guess we will have to chain him up after he does it.

Any suggestions on how to change this behavior? I cant have free range chickens with him around. If im around and the boys are free ranging he wont do it. But the minute i turn my back..... this happens.

Hes SOOOOOO stubborn and he doesnt care when he gets disaplined, he still comes right back. I figure once a chicken eater, always a chicken eater? Maybe thats harch but i dont know what else to do

 

[BellLisamo]

Quote:
yeah thats what i was thinking. hes a real sweetheart to people and other dogs. not chickens.... he wouldnt harm anything else.

 

[lil'chickies]

He's still in the puppy stage. Have you tried spraying him with the water hose when he snaps through the fence? It might work. At least get his attention.