Introducing Dogs to chickens

[Beekissed]

I leave my pups alone with the chickens right after their initial training on them. How else will one know what they will do when left unsupervised with the chickens if you don't give them the opportunity? Each pup I trained on chickens took about 15-20 min. of training on "leave it" when it comes to the birds and that's all it took. They've been completely trustworthy since that first training.

First, the dog actually has to care if you are displeased about a certain action. If you can't get the dog to a state where he's eager to please the master, then the chances of being successful are slim. If you can't get a dog to mind you in other things, it's not likely to mind you in the face of such tempting prey.

 

[daleandtina]

Well German Shepards really can't be trusted with small prey until 2. I learned this the hard way even though I read it a few times. My other dog is a lab and is by nature a bird dog. I didn't start with small pups because we didn't get chickens until later.
My position as a leader entails I will not allow things. Dogs understand this. For instance putting the dog in a position to kill chickens unsupervised can and does prolong training if they aren't ready. Again I learned all of this after reading and researching, and then the hard way by not taking the advice of what I was reading.
Once the dog is over 2 and fully understands what I want without a doubt, after many months of being corrected for just prey staring, I will let the dog think it's unsupervised by keeping an eye on them from the window because any mishaps need to be caught in the act and sharply corrected. All this sends the message that they are off limits and belong to me.
Now we can leave for the weekend and I know my hens and goats and even cats are well protected.

 

[Beekissed]

Prey staring? There could be your problem....I don't allow any staring at the chickens during training. None, nada, no overt and prolonged attention towards the chickens with that certain alertness dogs show towards prey. Staring at them excites them and they are not allowed to show even mild excitement towards the birds.

I corrected a young GSD on chickens when it visited my place and it took two mild corrections to go from chasing them and trembling excitedly, to lying calmly, avoiding even looking at them. That dog would never even set foot on our land again, giving it and the free range chickens a wide berth each time it passed by...completely unsupervised each time. They are smart and can respond appropriately with the right training.

 

[daleandtina]

Yep that's what I said, I gave appropriate corrections when they even "prey stared". I had no problem. If the chickens made a noise and they looked I didnt correct that but yes prey staring got a stern verbal correction. And yes my GSD was an angel when I was around and for a few days after training. I think being a breed with a high prey drive two corrections isn't going to snap them out of what's in their blood permanently when they are young and excitable. Lol. THAT was my problem! I also thought my GSD had gotten it after too short of time. And I don't want anyone else to make the mistake of being too lenient and trusting too soon as I did. I'm also not alone everything ive read on the matter backs what I'm saying up. But people shouldn't give up on their dog no matter how difficult it seems because they are definitely able to be worked with enough to become trustworthy.