My puppies wont leave my ducks alone

[Need_Not]

I had a little dog for 11 years and he died so I needed something on my property to keep animals away so I got 2 puppies and they have been fine but it seems today they are now brave enough to chase the ducks. It seems like now all day the ducks are forced to hide in a bush and now they are trying to grab the ducks and now one of my pekins doesn't have any feathers on their tale and another pekin is either hiding, ran away or dead.

These dogs are no bigger than my previous dogs i don't think the dogs are trying to harm the ducks bit they are not leaving them alone and I found the ducks escaped from the yard and booking it in the vineyard which they have never gone in so these ducks must hate it here now.

The dogs are so young and I feel like since it only started yesterday there is some way to stop them

 

[BelovedBirds]

I had a little dog for 11 years and he died so I needed something on my property to keep animals away so I got 2 puppies and they have been fine but it seems today they are now brave enough to chase the ducks. It seems like now all day the ducks are forced to hide in a bush and now they are trying to grab the ducks and now one of my pekins doesn't have any feathers on their tale and another pekin is either hiding, ran away or dead.

These dogs are no bigger than my previous dogs i don't think the dogs are trying to harm the ducks bit they are not leaving them alone and I found the ducks escaped from the yard and booking it in the vineyard which they have never gone in so these ducks must hate it here now.

The dogs are so young and I feel like since it only started yesterday there is some way to stop them

absolutely separate the dogs immediately from the ducks. It isnt wise to let them run together without a safe, slow introduction and training. It isn't worth the risk of losing your birds to rush this bit.

Puppies will be puppies, they're excited, they may never have seen poultry before, they need to get used to seeing but not being able to reach the ducks. And then gradually train them to leave.

Here is what I would do. Purchase or borrow a large puppy X pen (sometimes these arent very strong and you may want to find a more secure option) fix it to the ground securely and allow the dogs to sit inside it (with shade, food and water, and toys available). Keep a close eye on the pups during their outside time. Maybe sit with them. Allow the ducks out, and allow the puppies to get used to the birds being around, unable to get to them.

Do training with the pups daily, short 10-15 minute periods of training, as often as you can manage. Put the puppy (one at a time) on a lead, and walk around the yard, have treats to hand. As soon as the puppy takes his attention away from the ducks and onto you, say "leave" and give the treat immediately with lots of praise. Keep doing this, eventually when the puppy is looking at the ducks, begin commanding "leave", as soon as he looks at you, treat and praise.
You need to teach him that there is a boundary he can't cross.

Eventually through this kind of positive reinforcement training, the puppy should lose some interest in the birds, and obey the "leave" command. This combined with the puppies getting used to the ducks movements and sounds, should result in better behaviour. Eventually being able to be off lead under supervision, and eventually without.

If you want a video of this, I can find one and give you the link so that you can get an idea of what this training should look like. I'm not a dog trainer, or professional, but I have used this method with my dogs and it works well.

 

[Need_Not]

absolutely separate the dogs immediately from the ducks. It isnt wise to let them run together without a safe, slow introduction and training. It isn't worth the risk of losing your birds to rush this bit.

Puppies will be puppies, they're excited, they may never have seen poultry before, they need to get used to seeing but not being able to reach the ducks. And then gradually train them to leave.

Here is what I would do. Purchase or borrow a large puppy X pen (sometimes these arent very strong and you may want to find a more secure option) fix it to the ground securely and allow the dogs to sit inside it (with shade, food and water, and toys available). Keep a close eye on the pups during their outside time. Maybe sit with them. Allow the ducks out, and allow the puppies to get used to the birds being around, unable to get to them.

Do training with the pups daily, short 10-15 minute periods of training, as often as you can manage. Put the puppy (one at a time) on a lead, and walk around the yard, have treats to hand. As soon as the puppy takes his attention away from the ducks and onto you, say "leave" and give the treat immediately with lots of praise. Keep doing this, eventually when the puppy is looking at the ducks, begin commanding "leave", as soon as he looks at you, treat and praise.
You need to teach him that there is a boundary he can't cross.

Eventually through this kind of positive reinforcement training, the puppy should lose some interest in the birds, and obey the "leave" command. This combined with the puppies getting used to the ducks movements and sounds, should result in better behaviour. Eventually being able to be off lead under supervision, and eventually without.

If you want a video of this, I can find one and give you the link so that you can get an idea of what this training should look like. I'm not a dog trainer, or professional, but I have used this method with my dogs and it works well.

I will defiantly do this. The moment I got home and saw the the ducks yesterday I put them in my pool area which is pretty big and has some plants and trees for them must most of all if the dogs go after them they can just jump in the pool and so far I think the ducks are happier while while i find a better solution.

As for the pekin that was missing I have found him but in bad shape. His tail is also bald but he also has missing chunks on his neck. I tried to scare him from the bush into the pool with the rest of the ducks but I realized he is no longer even putting up a fight so I was able to just pick him up which is NEVER happened in the history of my ducks the ants have found him and are all over his cuts hopefully the water will clean them up.

It doesn't seem the duck has anything beyond missing feathers but the skin is very raw looking. I gave the ducks a ton of food and all I can do is hope the dogs train well

 

[BelovedBirds]

I will defiantly do this. The moment I got home and saw the the ducks yesterday I put them in my pool area which is pretty big and has some plants and trees for them must most of all if the dogs go after them they can just jump in the pool and so far I think the ducks are happier while while i find a better solution.

As for the pekin that was missing I have found him but in bad shape. His tail is also bald but he also has missing chunks on his neck. I tried to scare him from the bush into the pool with the rest of the ducks but I realized he is no longer even putting up a fight so I was able to just pick him up which is NEVER happened in the history of my ducks the ants have found him and are all over his cuts hopefully the water will clean them up.

It doesn't seem the duck has anything beyond missing feathers but the skin is very raw looking. I gave the ducks a ton of food and all I can do is hope the dogs train well

I hope he feels better soon! Poor guy. Are you sure theres no puncture wounds?

 

[Need_Not]

I hope he feels better soon! Poor guy. Are you sure theres no puncture wounds?

I can try and get some pictures later

I really don't think the dogs are meaning harm just they are soooo hyper I go out side and I cannot even walk because they are jumping all over me and these dogs are only 15-20 pounds each

 

[Folly's place]

They will be able to kill or severely injure your birds!!! As mentioned, training, no 'play time' out there with the birds.
Mary

 

[aart]

How many dogs?
You just got a bunch of dogs and let them run free with your ducks,
with no training?

 

[Need_Not]

How many dogs?
You just got a bunch of dogs and let them run free with your ducks,
with no training?

only 2 they aren't that big i didn't think it would be a problem but I guess I was wrong I'm now going to make a space for the ducks and dogs to help train them

 

[-Olive-]

only 2 they aren't that big i didn't think it would be a problem but I guess I was wrong I'm now going to make a space for the ducks and dogs to help train them

Don’t forget there are dog behaviourists who can help if you struggle with this. Yes they cost money of course, and make sure you check references/reviews/word of mouth etc.

 

[Need_Not]

Ok bad news I thought the hurt duck was going to eventually be ok since he did walk away and jump in the pool when I let him go but I noticed all he does is float all day so I went out there and he is just sitting life less in the pool of course he isn't dead since he is still upright but when I get the pull brush or net to try and scare him to move he'll try to dive under but then realize he can't I scooped him up in my net and took him to some shade and he doesn't even move he just sits there.

Everyone else seems to be acting perfectly normal. Although I do not understand why it's only the pekins who have gotten plucked. Perhaps they were the easiest to see in the bush