my German Shepherd killed 3 of my hens

[surprzchx4life]

Help. I need advice. I have 9 mo old German Shepherd who has been around chickens since 8 wks old he went on a rampage when a family member was out with him and cornered 3 sweet little free ranging hens in barn and killed them.. He did not eat them. Don't know what to do. If it is possible to train this out of him. Willing to try anything. Suggestions please!!

 

[cncottle]

So sorry to hear about your hens. We also have a Shepherd and he has on occasion been aggressive. We try to reward him when he is calm around the chickens. Our Vet said that theyhave a hearding and protection instinct that can take over and cause problems. The Vet suggested a training shock collar (on a very low setting) to give a correction from a distance... when he thinks he isn't being watched. So far our dog has not had any further issues. I hope our info is helpful.

 

[surprzchx4life]

So sorry to hear about your hens. We also have a Shepherd and he has on occasion been aggressive. We try to reward him when he is calm around the chickens. Our Vet said that theyhave a hearding and protection instinct that can take over and cause problems. The Vet suggested a training shock collar (on a very low setting) to give a correction from a distance... when he thinks he isn't being watched. So far our dog has not had any further issues. I hope our info is helpful.

 

[WildfireSmitty]

Tie one of the dead hens around his neck where he cant reach it. Shock collars do work, but you might not always be around to push that button. Shock collars can also induce agression in some breeds.

 

[surprzchx4life]

I was wondering about shock collar and if people have had luck. How would I administer shock? At the point he is actually chasing my free range chickens? Thank you!

 

[surprzchx4life]

Tie one of the dead hens around his neck where he cant reach it. Shock collars do work, but you might not always be around to push that button. Shock collars can also induce agression in some breeds.

it is all said and done now. Would it benefit tying the chicken around his neck after the fact?

 

[cncottle]

The one that we looked at had a remote control. Try having supervised time with the chickens and see how he does. If he gets that look in his eye...( I'm sure you know the Shepherd stare I'm talking about) give him a little shock. He'll eventually associate the chickens with a bad sensation and leave them alone. Best of luck. Oh, we saw the training collar at Tractor Supply.

 

[WildfireSmitty]

it is all said and done now. Would it benefit tying the chicken around his neck after the fact?

It helps to creates a bond (yeah she may be dead) if constant exposure to your hens is not working.

I did this with my dog once, all it took was one day. He had this chicken following him where ever he went around his neck. Now he is way over protective of them. He hears the hens singing, and he runs over every time to make everything is ok with them.

 

[TalkALittle]

 It helps to creates a bond (yeah she may be dead) if constant exposure to your hens is not working. 

The point of the chicken around the neck technique isn't to form a bond between the dog and chickens. It is to make the dog associate chickens with unrelenting unpleasantness such that a strong negative association with chickens is formed that deters the dog from interacting with chickens in the future.

 

[WildfireSmitty]

The point of the chicken around the neck technique isn't to form a bond between the dog and chickens. It is to make the dog associate chickens with unrelenting unpleasantness such that a strong negative association with chickens is formed that deters the dog from interacting with chickens in the future.

It works both ways.