It happened again!!!

[darbella]

Quote:
I agree, I would be nervous of thast dog around the baby too. if it kills chickens, it might go after a toddler running around. She better keep an eye on those dogs.

 

[Royd]

Sounds like it's time for a serious dog beat down, or a couple of dead dogs.
I learned that lesson, early in life. Dad, being raised on a sheep ranch, any dog, regardless of ownership, if caught running the sheep, was dead.

 

[wohneli]

The dog growled once at my daughter when she started crawling. Once.
I think she learned that time that she is lower in the pecking order than my daughter. We have also trained her to go away into the other room when the baby gets near (thank you Caesar Milan).
Thank you all for the input.

 

[ChickenCat]

OK, here are the gals with Cooper...he is more interested in eating their poop than eating chicken!!! LOL

Oh my God! You just broke my heart. I lost my dobie girl "Jade" 2 years ago, at age 12. How beautiful Cooper is. Jade was a fantastic dog, I could imagine her in the position Cooper is. Protector. Give that dog kisses and hugs from me Please.

 

[mypicklebird]

Some dogs have incredible prey drives and some don't. I have two dobermans, both were mildly interested in the chickens when they first met. One chicken was killed by my first dog, I disciplined him about 20sec after the fact- he would not look at the chickens for a week, and would not go near them for longer. They have low prey drive, and are now completely trustable with the adult chickens. The chicks are more interesting to them when they jump around, but so far I have not had to intervene. I have taken care of some terrier types- and they had very strong prey drives, and just about strangled themselves trying to get to the chickens. I would not keep a dog like that as long as I or my neighbors chose to have chickens, as it would be a recipe for disaster. I think in this case, if a really secure separate area cannot be created for the chickens- either the remaining chickens or the dog(s) need to find a new home. Too dangerous for the animals +/- the human relationship to have a shared chicken/dog area.

 

[farmerkel]

Wow, that is AWFUL!!! Not having a good time of it over there.... well, except maybe the dog... he/she seems to be having a blast. I have 2o dogs, both rescued am staff terriers, one 10 and the other 10 months. The 10 yr. old actually gaurds them from the hawks!! But I had to pull my oldest hen out of the pups mouth one day, luckily (miraculously) no harm was done. I bring the pup around them everyday now(leashed while they are free-ranging)in hopes of desensitizing her, but she still goes wild when she sees them. I NEVER let her out alone when they're out. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to trust her.
If your dog jumped a 6 foot fence to get at your flock Im not sure WHAT you could construct that would protect them.
Good luck to you!

 

[SurprisingWoman]

NILIF (Nothing in life is free) is without question the best way to train your dogs.

Caesar Milan and all the alpha rolling and things he recommends is just garbage.

Here's a link or you can google NILIF

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm

 

[darbella]

Quote:
Just saw this reply! He is the love of my life and I will be happy to give him hug and kisses for you! He is a sweetheart and everyone that meets him wants to take him home, even ones that dont like dogs!

 

[mrstiffanymayer]

Quote:
having watched dogs meet each other for the first time or just interact with the ones they are accustomed to, they bark/bite/growl/stare/posture lay down the law.

Also, all the behaviors suggested on that link make the human the alpha. The alpha makes the rules, decides who eat and when, etc.

There are many levels of correction that can be used (dont abuse animals - I am in no way advocating that). Dogs are pack animals. I have very strong opinions - like you do SurprisingWoman and would love to discuss in further detail on another thread.

Sorry for the hijack!!!

I agree with the sentiment that another expressed about your wife not having the same level of interest with your chickens.

I would talk with your wife prior to getting any more chickens, to see if it is something she is willing to support you on. Or maybe she is really absentminded? If so, work out a system to beef up the security of your run (if you can afford..).

 

[MIKE555444]

Sounds like you won't be satisfied until you get to raise yoru chickens. I have come to terms with the fact that my chickens would have to live to 40 yrs old and produce 364 eggs a year to pay me back for my expense/efforts. If you really want to raise the chickens you will have to make a sacrifice like I did to make a secure place for them. I still have plans of running a electric fence around mine for a final step of security.

I keep telling my wife I am almost done building and improving but she is starting to accept that caring for these chickens is an ongoing hobby that is never quite "done".