My Puppy...

[Omniskies]

I have a two month old roadkill puppy. Someone tossed her out of their window onto the highway in front of me when she was a month old (according to her teeth).

A few days ago we had severe flooding and a sudden hailstorm that killed a young pullet in the yard. She went missing and I couldn't find her anywhere.

Last night the puppy found her for me and proudly brought half of her back. The pullet smelled dead, so I know the puppy didn't kill her. However, I'm worried she'll repeat this on live birds when she gets older. Right now she has a very healthy respect for birds after being chased around the yard by one of our old turkey hens and plays (way too roughly) with any babies we introduce her to. I'm guessing the rough housing is a phase since she's so young.

My question is how can I ensure this won't happen? I'd like to train her to herd our birds and protect them/the yard from predators (she looks like a German Shepherd cross of some sort).

Does anyone have any tips?

PS: The Indian Runners I ordered to train her to herd with arrived today. I planned on raising them around her so they wouldn't be spastic when they were all old enough to begin training. Argh.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

I wouldn't necessarily believe that you have a problem with the puppy. She didn't chase the hen down, nor kill it. Sounds as if it hadn't been 'played' with, either.

Carla

 

[Omniskies]

I don't know whether she played with the bird or not. We let her out to roam the yard and when we went to let her in she was sitting on the porch with the half eaten pullet. It was pretty obvious that she ate the lower half of the bird.

It's still good to hear that this might not be a huge problem. If it comes down to her or the birds she'll have to go and I'd rather not get rid of her.