My dog just killed my chicken :(

[Woodbury]

When training dogs to ignore things like chickens it really is something that can be taught and the best age is at about 4 months or sooner. A mechanical collar works very well. They do not choke but the pinch is very unpleasant for the dog. When they pull on the leash as you approach the birds and you jerk it short the links of the collar close pinching the skin. It doesn't harm the dog at all but with that and a harsh NO a short sessions every day for a week and then a few times a week the dogs will respect the birds. Pups like labs are by nature bird dogs and its in their nature to go after chickens often times not killing the bird and will catch it let it go and repeat the chasing of the bird until it is exhausted or worse and DO NOT just stop doing it only getting so your chickens are ruined.

If the bird survives and remains still the dog usually give up...that's rare, pups should be started even before they show any aggressive behavior, they learn quickly. Lead the dog slowly toward the chicken the haul it up short when it stresses the leash. It works.

The collar looks like something devised during the dark ages of witch burning and the drowning pool but it does no harm to pooch. They learn quickly that it can be a bad experience to approach the chicken. Labs are smart, I don't know about Weiner hounds but they are hunters also, and hunting dogs all have that gene, its important they learn for every action there is a reaction.

 

[Mortey]

I have a 3 year old very excitable Boston Terrier that once attacked my chicks and almost killed her... we ended up nursing her back to health but my dog would still just sit and shake and lunche towards the chickens. I always kept him tied up when the chickens were free range and they tied to me around the chickens. By the next summer he is ok to be around them and totally ignores them when they run around him.

 

[chkn]

I learned that the only way to keep the killer dog from killing the chickens is to just keep them separated.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

I learned that the only way to keep the killer dog from killing the chickens is to just keep them separated.

X2. Although some training may work, best way is to keep them apart.

 

[heby]

I am having trouble with my 6 mon old Boston Terrier chasing my chickens. In the past he has never messed with them. All of a sudden in the past few weeks, he has been not only chasing them but grabbing them and pulling out feathers. He had my rooster all the way up to the rooster's thigh one day just chewing on him. The dog never growls or acts like he is being vicious but yesterday he hurt one of my hens by grabbing her by the neck. She is alive and I doctored the wound but it was terrible and my kids just go to screaming.

 

[mg15]

I have spent 3 years with the German Shepherd to train her. ( I posted earlier on this thread about the massacre) I used to rehab wild bunnies, adults, juveniles and pinkies. She never would go after them or near them. Now, they were in the house with us. And they would jump out and get loose. Never a problem.
Then one week ago Sat. she killed 9 of my chickens. I was not here and expected her to put them in like she is used to doing. BUT... I was not here.!
So now SHE WILL NEVER GET NEAR THE OUTSIDE CHICKENS AGAIN.
But....I now have baby chicks in the house. They are in a swimming pool with all the necessary things for the little ones. The German Shepherd looks at them but does not touch them. Even when I am not here.
It has to be something about being in my house with my animals, that she respects.

 

[farmboy22]

Is your dog kept outside?

 

[mg15]

Is your dog kept outside?

She is an inside/outside dog. during the day she goes outside and then comes in for dinner.
If it is rainy, too hot or too cold she is inside the house.

 

[tcmstalcup]

I know my method won't work for the original poster but it has been good for me. I always keep a few older hens around for "trainers". They teach young chickens how to eat, drink, forage, run for cover, go in at night etc. They have always been good dog trainers for me too. I start taking my pups to the chicken pen when they are little. If they go in the coop or step out of line those old hens will flog the daylights out of them. A few good floggings and they usually have the lesson. I always have herding breeds mostly Australian shepards. Even my pups that have killed before have lost interest by the time they graduate from puppyhood. Of course, this is a mini farm and as much as I hate to lose a chicken, its not devastating like a pet.

 

[llgarner]

Sorry, your dog did that I caught a possum in my coop, going after the eggs, We trapped him and took care of the problem! Again, sorry for your loss