just when i thought i was safe

[ChooksChick]

I'm so sorry for all of you with horrible stories!
I consider myself lucky, because it's never been an issue for us, but I would also like to think it has something to do with 'inoculating' my dogs against the temptation.

We spent a ton of time while brooding our birds hanging out with them, with the dogs right there. We brooded them in the house and spent close to an hour with them each night, with the dogs laying down in the room with us. It was made very clear to the dogs with this daily integration that the birds were part of the pack, and that any movement toward them in any aggressive manner was unacceptable.

Any prey drive was worked out of them by the time the birds went outside, and we've brought many more in- my dogs protect them and otherwise disregard them.

 

[2boxers]

ChooksChick, it looks as if your dog is saying, "See? See the kinda stuff I have to put up with?"

 

[AHappychick]

it might be anoying but can you put a bell or collar that jingles on the dog, this way you will be able to hear him better and so would the chooks, although they may be to dumb to care or realize what the bell sound means. silly chickens...

 

[deerman]

Not to come down on you, but thats the trouble so many have with neighbors dogs, they just got out. and started killing our birds.

Most say accident happen, guess what my birds never happen to get out.

You dogs was lucky he didnt get into someones chicken,who would have shot him.

Sorry I just dont feel bad for people that cant keep their dogs under control. I have just lost to many birds and animals from dogs that just happen to get out.

You want to train him get a shock collar, everytime he gets near a chicken give him a shock, before you know it he will be scare of chicken. Those shock collar are also used on the under ground fence.

 

[Judy]

You said the dog is a pup in training. Any chance you will be able to teach him to leave the chickens alone?

I have 4 dogs who pay no attention to my chickens. They are rescues of various ages and breeds. They seem to be doing a great job of keeping fox, etc. off the property. They don't mix with the chickens but they don't bother them either. It really didn't take a lot of training; they know what "no" means and they know that includes chickens. One is a known cat killer but never bothers my cat. Two others actively hunt and kill rats and mice.

I know people have their chickens killed by their own dogs with some regularity -- but there are plenty of others who can allow them together with no problem.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
Actually… I heard that in Bambi when I was a little kid and I never forgot it. Thumper’s the rabbit’s mother said to him…”Thumperrrr…. what did your father tell you?”

Thumper: “If ya can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all”.

I am very sorry for your loss and heartbreak.

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
Yeah, but it was because I woke him up so I could see his face in the pic. It's his sleepy, "Huh?" face.

 

[kcfuerst]

I have a great shock training collar for sale if you're interested. Only used it three times. That's all it took to train my dog. Good up to 300 feet. Send me a message if you're interested.

 

[skeeter03]

Sorry about your leghorn!
You mentioned he is a pup in training - if you have time could you possible train him to leave the chickens alone - easier said then done I know - in the process of training my 1.5 year old mutt to leave the chickens alone. I dont think its going to happen though. so he gets kenneled when the girls are let out for some freeranging and only when they are in their pen is he allowed back out.
Then thing with the shock collar is you have to bust him in the act. which can be tricky - my dog wont do anything with me watching him directly but as soon as he thinks i am not watching he gets into all sorts of trouble.
right now I am doing the choke-chain thing with my dog put right next to the pen and if he so much as looks at the chickens funny its a sharp pull, smack down on the nose and NO. I "think" I might be getting through he can now be around the pen and ignores the girls rather then trying to lunge at them - next step is to let them free-range around him on his choke chain and me supervising REALLY well.
Good luck

 

[deerman]

Ok here the way to break a dog with a shock collar, you stay out of sight. have a chicken in a cage. When he get near the chicken u shock him, then he thinks the chicken hurt him.

My friend broken his coon hound going around cars at night.(sure it save their lifes) He tied his dog next to the road at night, shock the dog when a car came by. His dogs would not cross a road at night if a car was coming.

Yes sound like it maybe cruel, but in both cases could save the dog life, hit my car or bullet. Only takes about 3 times they learn fast.

Dog are very smart animal , and almost all can be trained.