My male dog won’t protect but will eat my chickens

[Geena]

Anyone saying Cesar millans style isn't good doesn't know anything about dogs training.

Cesar Millian isn't all bad, but truly he's a joke in the dog training world.

 

[Chickens 4Ever]

Exactly, LGD are bred to think and act independently, that's part of what makes them so good at their job, that they have a mind of their own.
Chickens4ever, both puppies should be taught a solid come, sit, down, stay and leave it, at the very least, concentrate on that before you start any livestock training.

I read they think independently but he did not always kill chickens till one night I accidentally left a chick out. He has been to puppy classes and the trainer had done GP’s before it’s just the older he gets the more he ignores, but he does not go crazy and try to get in the coop it’s when they r outside

 

[bobbi-j]

He kows all of that but since he has gotten older he has slowly been ignoring most of the commands, and I’ve heard if he doesn’t do the command I want I walk away and ignore him.

To me, that seems like the dog wins. Like, "If I don't listen to my person, they will go away and then I don't have to do it."

Seriously - I know you're doing the best you can, but I think LGDs need some special handling. Start researching and then start training. I don't believe it's too late for your male. It may take a bit more, but the way he is now is no good for anyone. If he's chasing chickens, I wouldn't be surprised if he chases your larger animals, too. If they run, he may think it's a fun game.

 

[Geena]

He kows all of that but since he has gotten older he has slowly been ignoring most of the commands, and I’ve heard if he doesn’t do the command I want I walk away and ignore him.

At a year old he's getting to an age when he's going to test you and your commands. Walking away is absolutely the worst thing you can do, you're only signaling to him that he can ignore you whenever he wishes. Sounds like you could really use some help in knowing how to handle these issues. Best thing for you to do is find some good local basic training classes, they will teach you how to train your dogs. It's not really something that can be learned from Youtube, it's much better to have someone to evaluate you and your dog, and demonstrate the proper techniques in person.

 

[Geena]

I read they think independently but he did not always kill chickens till one night I accidentally left a chick out. He has been to puppy classes and the trainer had done GP’s before it’s just the older he gets the more he ignores, but he does not go crazy and try to get in the coop it’s when they r outside

His prey drive is kicking in. The same drive that makes him want to chase away/ kill predators can also be triggered when he sees a chicken, cat, or any other animal. That why is so important that you train and guide him. He doesn't know what is expected of him until you teach him. Keep going to classes, he probably won't be reliable until he's around 2 or so, just keep at it!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I know it’s hard to hear, but that dog will need LOTS of work. First off, no matter what people say, don’t fix him. It won’t change this behavior. You need to work on focus training. Put a leash on him. Look up how to get a dog to focus on YouTube. Do whatever it takes to keep him from killing anymore animals. Good luck!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

And what method is that you dont agree with? Bet you cant name any specific examples, probably because you haven't watched enough of this shows.

Anyone saying Cesar millans style isn't good doesn't know anything about dogs training.

Before Cesar got his show he was known as the go to person for dogs. And he make a killing doing thay because he was so good.


These other trainers teach you from a human perspective, Cesar does from a dogs perspectives.

I have had pit bulls that would come on my command while playing with other dogs. Unless you can do the same with such a stubborn breed your not quailfied to say who to use for dog training.

Like I said you can spend a lifetime trying to reinvent the wheel or you can follow the master. U will figure it out sooner or later!

Thank you for your assessment of my knowledge of dog training and behavior, I'll be sure to take that under advisement. Not subscribing to a particular method does not equate a lack of knowledge.
I'd prefer to respect OP and the post to engaging in such attacks and debates. I simply stated that I would not recommend CM. especially for this dituation/an LGD

 

[coach723]

To the OP:
I thought about this since yesterday a lot.....
First off want to make clear that nothing said is intended to be critical or judgemental of you in any way. I don't know you or your dog, and so can only speak in generalities. But as someone who has dealt with dogs with serious behavioral issues (and I would consider killing small animals to be a serious behavioral issue) you really need to get some outside, expert, objective help. It can be a bitter pill to swallow to realize that maybe everything you've done hasn't been right for this dog in this situation. I'm really good with dogs, I have had some amazing ones, but I was there with mine, it was hard, I felt terrible. But I knew feeling terrible about it wasn't going to fix it, and wasn't going to help things. I needed an expert. A good trainer will come in and assess your dog, your family, how you live and interact with the dog, and what your goals are, completely objectively. They will work with your dog, and they will work with you to give you the tools you need to move forward. Sometimes when you are so close to the issue it's hard to see what is really going on and what is needed, emotions get in the way. There are no bad dogs, just bad or inadequate training, and every dog is unique. I have asked for help at times and sometimes the technique is really simple and obvious and you just need someone who can look at the whole picture objectively to point it out. You will never regret getting the proper training, it's very possible that you would regret not doing it. It does not mean you need to turn your dog over to someone and spend $1000's of dollars, it may be much simpler than that, but it will be work and it will mean change in the way you do things with this dog. You need to start with basic obedience, and then for LGD training find an expert in that specialty. For now I would leash him and he would never be allowed near any small animals otherwise. Every time he practices the behavior it reinforces it, he must not be put in or allowed in a situation where he can do that. There are good trainers and not so good trainers. If you don't like the methods of one, seek out another. Training only works if you are comfortable and consistent with it. But be open minded and realize that you will be doing things differently than you are now in order to make the changes needed. I really wish you the best, this is a journey I took with my dogs, hard work, infinite rewards.

 

[Chickens 4Ever]

Thanks for the help guys, I will probably keep putting my girl with the chickens and try to work with the boy but I think he won’t be a chicken guard. He will be away where he can’t get to the chickens in the day but I will let him roam at night. He his very territorial and is very protective

 

[Chickens 4Ever]

To the OP:
I thought about this since yesterday a lot.....
First off want to make clear that nothing said is intended to be critical or judgemental of you in any way. I don't know you or your dog, and so can only speak in generalities. But as someone who has dealt with dogs with serious behavioral issues (and I would consider killing small animals to be a serious behavioral issue) you really need to get some outside, expert, objective help. It can be a bitter pill to swallow to realize that maybe everything you've done hasn't been right for this dog in this situation. I'm really good with dogs, I have had some amazing ones, but I was there with mine, it was hard, I felt terrible. But I knew feeling terrible about it wasn't going to fix it, and wasn't going to help things. I needed an expert. A good trainer will come in and assess your dog, your family, how you live and interact with the dog, and what your goals are, completely objectively. They will work with your dog, and they will work with you to give you the tools you need to move forward. Sometimes when you are so close to the issue it's hard to see what is really going on and what is needed, emotions get in the way. There are no bad dogs, just bad or inadequate training, and every dog is unique. I have asked for help at times and sometimes the technique is really simple and obvious and you just need someone who can look at the whole picture objectively to point it out. You will never regret getting the proper training, it's very possible that you would regret not doing it. It does not mean you need to turn your dog over to someone and spend $1000's of dollars, it may be much simpler than that, but it will be work and it will mean change in the way you do things with this dog. You need to start with basic obedience, and then for LGD training find an expert in that specialty. For now I would leash him and he would never be allowed near any small animals otherwise. Every time he practices the behavior it reinforces it, he must not be put in or allowed in a situation where he can do that. There are good trainers and not so good trainers. If you don't like the methods of one, seek out another. Training only works if you are comfortable and consistent with it. But be open minded and realize that you will be doing things differently than you are now in order to make the changes needed. I really wish you the best, this is a journey I took with my dogs, hard work, infinite rewards.

I will be looking to find a LGD trainer