Let's be friends!

[tls_ranch]

Here's a pic of Eva my yellow lab pup and her new friend Daisy the Easter egger. Today I caught my 3 year-old son sneaking into the coop WITH my two labs Fergie 1 year-old and Eva 12 weeks old. I was so lucky I didn't loose any chicks. My two labs were standing in the middle of the coop with all my chicks running around and underneath them. So, I decided a little puppy/dog socialization training would be prudent. I also am buying a padlock for the coop because my son apparently can't resist playing with the chicks no matter how much I scold him.

 

[NancyP]

Awww, what a cute picture.

 

[nwgirl]

I agree!

I sure wish I could trust my Lab to be that close to my chickens so I could get a cute photo like that, but I'm afraid all I'd capture is a dog with a chick in his mouth!

 

[tls_ranch]

LOL When I took the picture, my other hand was just out of camera range. I was ready to grab the chick or puppy if she tried anything. I was shocked that the dogs didn't chase or bite at the chicks when my son let them into the coop. They just stood there wagging their tails! I originally assumed that my labs (being bird dogs) would definitely be chicken killers. I now have hope that with some more training and some chicken/dog socialization that I can avoid a massacre some day. I still don't think I would ever trust them completely.

 

[Vikkisrooster]

Alot of times if you teach a dog how to be gentle with a baby,you then use the same thing with a chicken or chicks and you would be surprised at their gentleness!! I have 3 dogs and 3 cats (2 that love to catch birds ) but they don't bother the "babies".