My dog killed my chicken :(

[centrarchid]

It appears we are under estimating the mental abilities of animals. And under estimating that other humans as well.

 

[barred2rock]

It appears we are under estimating the mental abilities of animals. And under estimating that other humans as well.

It depends on the individual & situation. My dog hasn't got a clue why she's being punished, unless it's something like a trash bag she tore up (she likes tearing up the end of the trash bag that hangs out on the lip of the dog proof trash can, if we forget to push it into the can before we leave) that can be brought to her and told "no".

 

[Geena]

Exactly. Dogs read us, and some will react based upon previous discipline. I have owned LOTS of dogs and only one (German Shepherd Dog) might have intrinsically known the difference between right and wrong.

Me too, Sourland, lots of dogs, over many years. My current GSD, the one in my avatar, is amazing. She has an insane prey drive, but I've channeled that into helping me with the chickens. She will herd them back to the coop or catch a specific one for me when I need her to. All without ever harming a feather on their heads.

 

[sourland]

I have only had one GSD, and he died over 40 years ago. I still tear up when I think of him. I swear he could read my mind. I thought/think more of him than many of the people who have been part of my life. He was a scary, eerily intelligent creature.

 

[Geena]

You have to either catch them in the act or better yet reward them for the behavior you expect of them. If I catch my dog even staring or focusing on my chickens I tell him to " LEAVE EM " . I want him to totally disregard them .It took some time but it worked and he pays little or no attention to them now

Exactly Suzi, I teach all my dogs a solid "leave it" by the time they are 6 months old. Then you can extend that to anything you don't want them to touch in the future, including chickens.

 

[sourland]

For me there are two essential commands that my dogs should know. 'Come' and 'leave it' are always taught at a very young age.

 

[Geena]

In adding to the above post....set your dogs up to succeed! Don't place them in situations where they are going to get themselves into trouble. Train for the behaviors you want FIRST. Not- wait for bad behavior and then discipline.

Similarly to children, you don't leave knives and scissors all over the floor then scold them when you touch them. You keep them out of reach and teach them that sharp things are ouchie but x,y,z (toys) are fun and safe to play with.

Yep! So many people are reactive instead of proactive with their dogs. It truly is so much easier, on you and the dog, to show them what you expect of them before they have a chance to screw up. It's easier on the chickens as well!

 

[centrarchid]

I have had lots of dogs over many years. Dogs mostly for hunting and free-range chickens present. Dogma is getting in the way of true understanding.

 

[Geena]

It appears we are under estimating the mental abilities of animals. And under estimating that other humans as well.

I don't think so, Centra. There is much variation in the mental abilities of animals and humans. Some might be slower than others. When I first started reading on this forum I was surprised at the number of people mentioning the Koehler method of hanging a dead chicken around a dog's neck until it rots off, as a means of teaching a dog not to kill chickens. Yeah, that might work, I have no idea and don't want to find out, but we've learned much more effective and humane ways to train dogs over the past 60 years. Yet there it is, some people STILL employing such archaic methods.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I have only had one GSD, and he died over 40 years ago. I still tear up when I think of him. I swear he could read my mind. I thought/think more of him than many of the people who have been part of my life. He was a scary, eerily intelligent creature.

It's funny how we underestimate the intelligence of many of our domensticated animals. Perhaps they really do learn from us, especially if they are pack animals. Althought, I had a cat and a mean husband years ago (always yelling, the husband, not the cat). When the husband would starting yelling at me, the cat would sneak into our bedroom and Poo on his bed pillow. He never harmed the cat, but was p/o'd everytime it happened. The cat and I shared cookies and milk almost every night as I read what ever novel I was reading (ok, I am a bit strange). She did not like many people and hid from most she did not know. Once I left that SOB and began dating my current husband, she would come and sit in his lap. The cat had better sense than I did. God rest Mandy's soul, My husband and I have been together 20 happy years.