my dogs and other predators

[Ga Chicken Mom]

The AKC sanctions earthdog competitions where many breeds perform the functions they were originally bred for. There are certainly dogs with loads of prey drive in the US. Many of the dogs get conformation titles before they compete in earthdog trials. Dachshunds are like any other breed, some dogs have a lot of prey drive and some don't. Yours have shown a tendancy to kill chickens. My son's mini doxie attacked and wounded one of my girls. The dog went into a killing frenzy and would have have finished the deed if I hadn't interviened. I don't think that particular doxie could ever be rehabilitated to the point he would be able to be trusted anywhere near the chickens. I would suggest close supervision, always on a lead near the chickens and a strong, tall fence with the bottom buried in case the doxie gets out by mistake.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
They may not have quite the same prey drive as they use to but it is definately still there. I have a friend who breeds and raises Dachshunds, there is a man down the street from him who uses Dachshunds to run deer. Dachshunds were never "badger-killers," they were only used to flush animals out of burrows, hence why they are diggers. I think you may have "misinterpreted" my advice, I was not trying to discourage her in any way, merely provide an explanation as to why her new babies may be so intent on the capture of chickens.

As for the training comment, I realize people have different views on training and I respect yours. I didn't post to have my personal advice be criticized, I posted to help using my personal experience. If you wanted to criticize my ownership you should have done it privately either to me or to the person I provided the advice to, not publically and off topic. I agree trainings and beating are two different things, beatings are something an animal recieves for no good reason.

Thanks,

-Kim

 

[GAhen]

Yeah two of my dachshunds killed my baby goat last Sunday.
They pulled him under the gate some how........I was devastaed...still am.

I love doxies but they are NOT to be trusted around anything that they were not raised with.

My DH is now putting up another fence to keep them completely away from my goats.

I have done dachsund rescue in the past, I have a foster doxie now and just love the little guys, but they have issue.....and sometimes lots of issues!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
That is hilarious!

I wish I could have seen it. Broose and Gumpy would have gotten treats after I could breathe again. Wonder what a Dachshund/duck cross would have made?!?! (A Duckshund!!

)

-Kim

 

[Cara]

Quote:
They may not have quite the same prey drive as they use to but it is definately still there. I have a friend who breeds and raises Dachshunds, there is a man down the street from him who uses Dachshunds to run deer. Dachshunds were never "badger-killers," they were only used to flush animals out of burrows, hence why they are diggers. I think you may have "misinterpreted" my advice, I was not trying to discourage her in any way, merely provide an explanation as to why her new babies may be so intent on the capture of chickens.


As for the training comment, I realize people have different views on training and I respect yours. I didn't post to have my personal advice be criticized, I posted to help using my personal experience. If you wanted to criticize my ownership you should have done it privately either to me or to the person I provided the advice to, not publically and off topic. I agree trainings and beating are two different things, beatings are something an animal recieves for no good reason.

Thanks,

-Kim

Firstly, my response was far from off topic. The OP wanted to know how her dogs could co-exist with her birds. Suggesting she hit them is not a solution, and I don't want anyone else to fall into the same trap. Hitting animals she has just acquired would not be a good start to a trusting relationship. Patience and time brings results, not anger.

 

[petlove]

My dachshund goes after my chickens, I scold her and tell her no, make her go to her bed, distract her with her toys. Nothing works, she is crazy for the chickens and she DOES want to kill them. I have tried to get her acclimated to them, it's not working. My lab and rhodesian are doing great with the chickens. I will keep working with the doxie, but don't hold much hope. She has the hunter instinct quite strongly.

My dachshund, as well, is a voracious hunter. She is 12 and still very good at catching mice and moles. I am sure I will have trouble with her and the chickens. I will have to keep them separated.

 

[chcknrs]

My dachshund goes after almost anything. She LOVES grasshoppers! Crunches 'em up and eats 'em. She'll chase any bug or animal that comes in our yard, including much larger dogs. She is also a miniature, so I guess that doesn't breed it out of them either! Sigh, I was so hoping she'd want to mother the chicks! I think that may be done by the lab, who also has hunting instincts, but respects his alpha mommy's wishes! lol

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
My dachshund, as well, is a voracious hunter. She is 12 and still very good at catching mice and moles. I am sure I will have trouble with her and the chickens. I will have to keep them separated.

There's nothin wrong with having to keep them seperated. Just pick your battles! My father has a dog that loves to chase anything smaller than her, birds and rodents alike! I tease her and call her a cat because she once caught a blackbird as it flew low through our backyard! She is a terrier mix we rescued, she is quite something else!

You can always teach an old dog new tricks! Might take a little bit more time to do it. I think it's great your doxie is still chasing rodents even at the ripe age of 12! It keeps her in shape and gives her a purpose, you'll just have to let her know there's a difference between those nasty rodents and those cute fluffy chicks you'll be carrying around and snuggling!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
Our australian shepherd(a previous chicken eater) was very protective over the chicks we hatched in the house! After they hatched, they spent the first couple weeks in the house, and Crannie(Aussie) stayed at the foot of the table with the brooder on top and made sure that the cats stayed out of the room. When we would ask Crannie to leave the foot of the brooder, she would walk to the door of the room and plop down and watch us mess with "her" chicks.

It was such a pleasure seeing her go from chicken killer to chicken momma! We have Anook, Crannie, and Niche, our three dogs that follow our chicken flock around the yard all day and keep the fox and hawks at bay! Crannie has claimed the chicks and Niche has claimed a particular rooster.

-Kim

 

[yoonymoony]

All of these are great ideas. I have a cat that use to attack the chickens when they were little and almost killed one...untill I screamed at the top of my lungs.He looked at me as if I were a bit out of my mind. Since then, I took a few minutes every day and sat down with him while the chicks were out. Now he just sits there and watches them lazily while they are like a foot away from him!!! I guess I'll try that with my dogs, one at a time, the way someone recommended. I'll see how it works out...:/What are your opinions on getting your chickens' wings clipped? Is it bad because it is unnatural? Would it be okay to do so?
Thanks.
Yoonymoony