Introducing my dogs to my chickens

[sarahswank]

Long story short, I ended up getting a 3 month old and a 6 month old doberman. We are in the middle of building a new house on new property, and are renting a place that is 30 minutes from our current coop. I know I need to get these puppies sort of acculimated to the chickens, but I am not even sure where to start. Do I introduce them though the fence first?

I am not looking to make themprotective of the chickens or even where I can leave them 100% unsupervised with them, but I do want to try and get mild control so there isnt constant barking and outright trying to kill and eat them.

 

[cnicho05]

Hello,

I would strongly suggest you introduce your dogs to your chickens through a fence setting. I've had the best luck putting my dogs into a fenced area while I walked around with the chickens in from of the dogs. This shows them you are aware of the chickens and that they are not a problem. Next I would place the chickens into the fenced area and let the dogs get close to the fence, from the outside, to check them out a little more closely...as this will keep the chickens from running away.

Lastly, if everything seems to go okay I would leash your dogs and introduce them one at a time to the chickens. Most likely the chickens will run away from the dogs so you will want to make sure they wont be encouraged to give chase.

I hope this helps...

 

[Gayleyy]

Good luck! I know dogs and chickens can get along, I have seen it. How they did it I do not know. My dogs are now afraid of my chickens, they stuck their noses too close and got pecked by my Roo.

 

[Discodog]

Hi Sarah!

I've got a rescue dobie too, got him when he was 3, he's now going on for 9 and still acts like a silly little puppy.

Dobermans are very strong willed dogs, mine has a strong predator drive, but an even stronger will to please those he loves, family and friends included.

The first step to introducing any dog to what could look to him like a potential dinner that's fun to catch is to have him or her under control. Obeying a stop and then a down order, basically being able to cut an excitement short at any time.

When you have that mastered, take your doggies for a nice long EXHAUSTING walk, or even better, a bike ride. When they are nice and tired, introduce them to your flock through the fence, or even better on a leash, with or without an educative collar (that tightens when you give a short tug).

My dobie has uncropped ears, so it's easy enough to know when he's too interested in something, they turn into satellite dishes. Any excitement, whining, staring, tail out straight is something we don't want.

When they get too interested in the flock, fixating on the girls, say a big "no" or what ever you use to scold them, sharp tug on the leash, out of the coop, down and one minute time out.

Repeat as often as necessary, with my Disco it took a weekend, could be less, could be more.

When they start to stop seeing the birds as prey, leave them just outside the coop, and let them see you caring for the hens (petting them is a big plus).

Progressively, and as your trust in your new pups increase, you will be able to let the hens roam around them, the dogs staying down the whole time.

I've had my girls for three weeks, and my big boy ignores them completely. I would never trust him enough to leave them together when we are away, they both have their separate spaces for then, but last weekend everyone was happily sharing the garden and terrasse with us.


Good luck with your doggies, they truly are an amazing breed, and let us know how it goes along the way

 

[nzpouter]

put them on leash and walk them through the flock... they need to get use to the chickens and vice versa... a running chicken is an invitation to chase which usually started all your problems.

keep doing this when you're doing your chores around the chickens, correction when they show unwanted interests the usual whimpers, lip licking, tremors, tense muscles, etc.. keep them ocupied.

 

[dainerra]

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!
Of course, some dogs just can't be trusted off-leash.  Period.   They are just too focused on the birds.  In that case, just confine the dog when the birds are out.   

 

[ronmauldin]

X2 on the leave it approach. I have used it with all my dogs and it works great.

 

[sarahswank]

Thanks for all the great advice. it gives me plenty to work with to help set them up for success

 

[dainerra]

one important thing to remember - work on them 1 at a time until they are reliable. then you will have to work on them together. 2 or more dogs together interact with the world entirely different than either dog would alone

 

[Melabella]

I always left a short leash on my dogs when introducing them to new chickens. I sat with my chicks on my lap, and let each dog smell the chick. Anything that I observed to be heightened focus, or excitement was met with a quick correction or reminder their focus was on the wrong thing. The hardest to teach was my Cavalier, she is a spaniel and bred to flush birds out.. it took a while and I must admit a few strong leash corrections while I was always observing when the chicks were big enough. My LSGD is all about pleasing.. the second he saw me carrying them around, tending to them he accepts them as my property and it's his job to protect. The Chihuahua is always trying to get them to play... and they are actually afraid of him, he looks like a little fox with his ears straight up. Too funny...

Dobermans have so much exuberance. I agree that basic training must be established before you can expect to control them close to the chickens.

Good luck.. keep us posted! Jackson in the early days of learning it's his job to watch the chickens.

MB