We have a seven year old lab that still thinks she's a puppy. One of our large concerns was how she would be around the chickens...the last thing we wanted was for her to think they were a new toy and start chewing on them!
To make sure this didn't happen we started to introduce them one at a time within the first week. We started by holding them and letting her smell them, also making sure the chicks weren't too scared (we wanted them to be familiar with our dog too).
Eventually we let them sit on the floor with her but kept close watch.
It was amazing how quickly the chicks and dog became friendly...
in no time they were climbing on her back....
and sitting on her paws.
Now they are outside and we use her if we need to get them back in their coop...she helps herd the chickens and keep them together.
They've become great friends and I'm happy it worked out this way!
To make sure this didn't happen we started to introduce them one at a time within the first week. We started by holding them and letting her smell them, also making sure the chicks weren't too scared (we wanted them to be familiar with our dog too).
Eventually we let them sit on the floor with her but kept close watch.
It was amazing how quickly the chicks and dog became friendly...
in no time they were climbing on her back....
and sitting on her paws.
Now they are outside and we use her if we need to get them back in their coop...she helps herd the chickens and keep them together.
They've become great friends and I'm happy it worked out this way!
