Neighbors dog messing around my coop

[LoneCowboy]

I went out this morning to collect eggs, and the neighbors dog, Cloe, ran away from the coop. I chased her off, but I'm not happy. She's been over before with her owner and just was very excited about the chickens, but my dog was out there, so I wasn't really worried. Besides I build my coop and run to be Fort Knox. But now that she's venturing on her own over here, I'm a little upset. I've really never feared the neighbors dogs. They aren't like some of yours, they are just big sweet dumb animals. But I really don't like them coming to visit on their own.

There are just some things in the chicken world that I'm willing to not have experience in and dealing with predators is one of them.

 

[okiechick57]

Get a BB gun.....make an aim right at hind quarters of dog......that should do it !

 

[LoneCowboy]

Yeah, that's what I need. My dad had a pump gun, and could put how ever many pumps in it that the dog required.

I wish I had that gun now.

I have tons of guns, but they would all kill the dog and I'm not interested in that.

DH has vowed to kill anything that hurts our chickens. He's a wonderful man and loves animals but has no tolerance. And since we are the only ones in the neighborhood that makes an effort to keep our dog in, he has even less tolerance. I just prefer that it never comes to that.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Let the neighbor know that their dog was over and you would appreciate it if they kept it home. That way you at least can say you talked to them about the problem before you have to take action.

 

[kimberrrr]

I agree that first you need to make your neighbors aware of this and ask them to keep their dog or dogs on their own property. A BB gun should work, but if necessary, borrow someone's paint ball gun and shoot the dog. That will let the neighbors know that this is still going on. Surely they can figure out where that paint came from, right?

The BB gun should work though. Boy, it would sure keep me away. Just hearing the BB's rolling in the gun seems to scare most dogs off after being hit.

Good luck,
Kimberrrr

 

[LoneCowboy]

I just noticed that this neighbor seems to have another dog over there. I hope she's just dog sitting and not there forever. It's a Collie, It's in the back yard, I hope it stays there.

Cloe can climb the fence like a ladder so there isn't much keeping her in. Lately she's been on a cable in the front yard. Not sure why she isn't on it today.

 

[picklespickles]

even though she's a good dog, it's not good she's visiting on her own. i have a neighbor dog i visit, but she's not allowed to just show up. i take my dog over there to play everyday but don't allow her over here because i don't want to set up a bad situation with the prey animals. she runs loose but she's learned the um, hard way, not to venture up my driveway.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'd talk to the neighbour first and tell them that their dog's been wandering...
After that it's up to them...
A strand of hotwire can work wonders too.

 

[gila_dog]

I use a slingshot (like a wrist rocket, only homemade) shooting marbles or small rocks. One pop with that and the dog stays away. Maybe a BB gun would work too, don't know. Or just throw some rocks at her and yell at her. Dogs hate having rocks thrown at them. If she ever tastes chicken, tho, she may not be able to stop killing. Then you and your neighbor are going to have serious trouble. It's best to stop this problem now before something bad happens.

 

[Mountain Man Jim]

I hear that even intermittent positive reinforcement is a very power motivator. Hence, if the dog should get a chicken or chicken feed or any other positive reinforcement from its behavior, it will continue to try its luck, even if it encourages some negative reinforcement at some point. What all that theory stuff means to me is that you need to nip this in the bud. Would like to borrow my paintball gun? First, you might want to warn the neighbor that their dog many return home with come paint marker, but it’s OK, we’re just training the dog.