my own dog is the predator :(

[Madison Farms]

Ok,,, I've been reading for weeks and finally decided to join. I couldnt take it anymore when I read this post this morning!

Our German Sheppard did the exact same thing to our duck. Tore his chest apart and we found him alive. We had to put our duck down, there was just no putting him back together.

Gunner, Our dog, VERY smart, so smart that he's good with the chickens all day,,,,We can be inside the house, or in the shop, he will lay there amoung them and totally behave. The only time he misbehaves, is when he knows we are totally gone. So, now, we never leave him out.

The funny thing about his kennel is its only 4 ft tall. When he stands up on 2, he is about 6 foot tall. He totally respects his kennel, and that is where I would start with your dog. Make him respect his kennel. This way you dont have to worry about him getting out.

I'm sorry to hear your about your loss, I can totally relate. My whole family was in tears the night we lost our duck.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:
Welcome to BYC, glad you've decided to post with us.

 

[DTRM30]

So sorry to hear

- I wouldn't be able to sleep for weeks ....

But at the same time - the others are right - your dog was only doing what dogs do ....

I have a yellow lab and I KNOW she'll do the same if she ever gets the chance to. Not because she wants to kill them, but because she sees them as big squeeky toys - something to chase, catch and play with.

I'm more worried about her than the raccoons and hawks. But, my girls are very rarely ever out when I'm not out with them. You never know - a neighbors dog gets lose frequently and that would be ugly and even worse, devistating to my kids who love our chickens.

I hope your injured ones recover.

 

[Egg Lady]

Quote:
I totally agree...my GSD went thru a real killing spree when I first got the chicks, but with diligent training she is now thw best watch dog and helps me herd the chickens in the yard!

 

[mikesbigroo]

yes it is true as far as what happened with a dog i had owned, i even kept it chained up for 3 mts let it run around 1 day for alittle while while doing yard work, the neighbor came over and gave me the bad news, she went over his house and done his chickens in, keep the chickens locked up or the dog

 

[chickenannie]

Though it's a long, and slow process, I did read a lengthy article on line about how to teach a dog not to get chickens. I think I googled "training a dog not to chase chickens" .
The training involved taking the dog every morning and night to feed the chickens and ANY time the dog got excited by the chickens, or tried to snap at or bite or chase the chickens, the dog owner had to teach, at the moment, by discipling the dog that it wasn't allowed to exhibit that behavior.

OR watch this: http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com/2008/04/dog-training-with-chicken-reducing-prey.html

 

[kcfuerst]

I happen to have an Innotek training collar for sale right now. Worked great for my German Shepard.


Email of PM me if you are interested.

 

[Big C]

Instinct for your dog yes,,,
So basically it is a fault of keeping them separated which is yours.

You can do a search on this forum for your subject and it may help.
Best bet is to make sure that your dog (or anyones) has no way to get to and kill your chickens.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Have you thought about tying the dead chicken around his neck and letting him drag it around for awhile?? Everyone says it works, a freind ofmine tried it and his GSD never touched another chicken...............I'm sorry for your loss, but a dog is just doing his job, and a GSD does need a job. My shepherd hasn't hurt any, but I trained him to be like that

 

[Royd]

Quote:
I've learned that most dogs, if not corrected, immediately, for bad behavior, haven't got a clue, as to the scolding, or whatever means, is used.
Knowing this; and fruitless squirrel chasing, being my dogs' main entertainment, I knew that I had to figure out how to free range my chickens, with the dogs being present.

I've posted this before, but will tell it, again.
I have two dogs, and a neighbor dog, who visits, several hours a day.
This is how I solved the problem..... I would tie up two dogs, out of range of the chickens. Then, I would sit, with one dog, at a time, with a long leash, with the chickens roaming around.
Invariably, as I knew would happen, the dog would make a go at the chicken that got close enough.
At that moment, I dealt with the dog, with extreme predjudice, I.E. a beat down. It only took one time, per dog.

Now, the dogs still chase squirrels, while blowing through the flock of chickens, as if they are nothing more than yard art.