Is introducing my dog to my chickens ever a good idea?

[nzpouter]

We always have our dogs with all our other animals.... it's their job to look after the property and everything in it.

 

[mfowlers]

We live on three acres and have "free range dogs" on all sides, including our own 10lb Chihuahua mutt mix. I was worried about our neighbor's young, high energy brittany spaniel...who loves my four kids and treats our yard like his own. We have a good relationship with this neighbor, and last summer, while the chicken were still babies, I (half)joked about training his dog to leave the chicks alone. I googled it, and came up with some tips from the dog whisperer guy from the Discovery channel. I spent a couple afternoons (maybe 3 hours total?) with the dog, next to the run, with the kids and chickens playing inside. This dog has been very respectful of our free range chickens and ducks since, much to it's owner's surprise! He's not above chasing my cats or stealing unattended hotdogs from the picnic table, though!