Hi all. I've read a lot of posts about managing flocks with other pets and gathered a lot of great info. My wife and I currently have 6 laying hens and 6 ducks in our backyard flock and would really like to get a dog to be part of our family / 1/2 acre "farm". We've been watching the shelter and classified ads, as we'd like to adopt a dog, for younger pups. Figured it might be easier to train a puppy around an existing flock. Any thoughts on introducing a new dog, how old a pup is too old, training techniques, etc. We also have two cats that are great with our birds, just now don't want to have a catastrophe if we bring the kids a puppy and it eats their chickens. Thanks a bunch.
Hi
When we got our girls we already had two dogs. We let the girls into the yard, and the dogs just looked at them for a while, sniffed them and went back to lay on the deck. I was actually surprised of how relaxed the dogs were. If I didn't trust our dogs so much I would of had the chickens and ducks in a fenced area where the dogs could see them but not touch them. Just watch their reaction and see if they seem bothered by them. If not let them out into the area with the dogsand watch what happens. Hopefully the will be friends like my dogs and chickens ( I often find them snuggled up on the back deck and eating dinner together ) Good luck and I hope this helps
first of all the dog need proper recall training before you even try to let it near the chickens.... and another thing, never hold the chickens in front of the dog's face.
first, an older dog will often be easier to train than a puppy. Pups are babies. they are hyper and have short attention spans and sometimes get more interested in playing than staying out of trouble. Here is the method that I use to train my dogs. Also, an older dogs personality is set - you know if they are going to be hyper and how they are around small animals. It's easier to adopt an older dog with a calm disposition who doesn't chase birds than to train an over-excited puppy to not bother the birds.
Find the closest distance that the dog first notices the birds in the brooder. This might be in another room if he is one to constantly glance at the door. Put your dog on leash and get some extra special treats that he only gets for this work - bacon, grilled chicken (no spices!), hot dog chunks, etc. When the dog glances toward the birds, say his name and "leave it" If he looks at you, give him a treat - if he doesn't, give a light pop on the leash (think tap on the shoulder). When he looks at you reward him.
You can also teach him "watch me" the same way. You can practice this at random times though out the day. If you have a couple extra minutes while you're watching TV or whatever, just say his name, pause, "watch me" When he makes eye contact, then reward him. You can also (if you get in the habit of keeping a small treat in your pockets) catch him looking towards you say "watch me" and then reward. Or just praise him verbally.
Once the dog is reliably paying attention to you and the birds at a distance, move a little bit closer. If he absolutely blows you off, you're too close. Just back up a bit and begin again. Eventually you will be right amongst the birds. You can then start at a distance or with a long line (20' leash or so) and work from there. I never ever leave my dogs/chickens loose unattended together.
I don't even trust Rayden
I don't mean I constantly hover over the dogs when they are out with the birds, but I am in the area and aware of what they are doing. Think of it as a small child. Even though you've taught them not to play with matches, would you leave them alone in the house with matches scattered all over the floor?
The most important part of the training is to set the dog up to succeed. Don't give him a chance to chase the birds. Don't give him a chance to disobey.
ETA: The best thing about teaching "leave it" is that it works for everything. Drop something on the floor and don't want the dogs to touch it? "leave it" See dog running toward a snake? "leave it" Lots of training and work, but it pays off!
