New Puppy! Introducing to flock

[Jacquie Button]

How's the pup doing with his new friends? I had chickens and dogs years ago..it was funny how the chickens would sit in the dogs and one of my dogs would actually always carry one chick in her mouth everywhere. Never hurt her. The dogs would eat the chicken food and the chickens would eat the dog food. Crazy little things!

 

[The _Chicken Guy_]

I hope it goes well with the training, I agree on the waiting to introduce the chickens until the dog is older and at least knows and follows basic commands well.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Thank you all for the replies! It WAS going pretty well! I take Kona on leash with me to collect eggs and that seems to be normalizing the chickens to the pup, but the chickens are TERRIFIED of her and all her energy. They aren't as afraid of our other dogs on the farm. Unfortunately, yesterday the backyard gate was left open and the chickens got into Kona's space in the yard and she went CRAZY chasing them about. She didn't hear a word I commanded at her, so my daughter and I worked together to get the hens out of the yard. She was in big trouble for chasing them and almost catching one of my sweet older hens. I would love your thoughts on how to adjust now that she knows what a joy it is to chase after the hens.

I plan to keep working on obedience and leash training around the hens. Any other tips? Thank you all! She's a great pup and learning a lot and so are we! Constantly adjusting our training methods. I found a GREAT website called thehappypuppysite.com, so I'll be using those tips too!

 

[Kathy Golla]

Boy @Lady of McCamley did you say it all sister.

Chxladycass You didn't mention if you have had German Shepherd Dogs before but if not it's worth some intensive reading to educate yourself about the breed and what drives them. And how they react to small prey animals.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Thank you all for the replies! It WAS going pretty well! I take Kona on leash with me to collect eggs and that seems to be normalizing the chickens to the pup, but the chickens are TERRIFIED of her and all her energy. They aren't as afraid of our other dogs on the farm. Unfortunately, yesterday the backyard gate was left open and the chickens got into Kona's space in the yard and she went CRAZY chasing them about. She didn't hear a word I commanded at her, so my daughter and I worked together to get the hens out of the yard. She was in big trouble for chasing them and almost catching one of my sweet older hens. I would love your thoughts on how to adjust now that she knows what a joy it is to chase after the hens.

I plan to keep working on obedience and leash training around the hens. Any other tips? Thank you all! She's a great pup and learning a lot and so are we! Constantly adjusting our training methods. I found a GREAT website called thehappypuppysite.com, so I'll be using those tips too!

I'm so sorry you've had this set back. The good news is she didn't catch one, so all she got was some silly puppy exercise from a visual stimulus rather than the prey reward.

It is imperative that she absolutely cannot chase the chickens again. She also shouldn't be able to see them from her yard and fixate on them as it will reinforce all those fun memories.

Stay the course on leash and obedience training as I listed in my prior post. Work up to drag line recalls. Go slowly! I would be very, very careful about any work around the chickens at this point. She needs to first learn to listen to you even when there are distractions, and until she learns that, she shouldn't be around the chickens even on leash as she is merely learning to ignore you then. Also, I highly recommend if she isn't on leash, as in the house or yard time, she is on dragline, or you may have some escalating poor behaviors with other stimulation (wild birds, squirrels, house cats) very quickly.

She sounds like the assertive type rather than the more sensitive type, so consistency and loving but clear leadership is crucial. She will learn to out think you if you let her.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Boy @Lady of McCamley did you say it all sister.

Chxladycass You didn't mention if you have had German Shepherd Dogs before but if not it's worth some intensive reading to educate yourself about the breed and what drives them. And how they react to small prey animals.

Ah, I hear another GSD experienced owner talking?

They are fabulous dogs when trained correctly. Or they can be the worst of nightmares. Way too intelligent and driven for their own good if not channeled correctly.

Lofmc

 

[Kathy Golla]

I have volunteered for a spca shelter in the sf Bay Area for 5 years in working with dogs with special behavior needs.
I consider myself an expert in pit bull behavior (I have one) since that and Chihuahuas are mostly what we see.
But in the last year we have seen a lot of GSDs. I have learned a lot about the breed and their behavior.
They are a dog happy when working! They are happy with boundaries and direction. When not trained they can be quite a challenge, esp when young.

 

[barn206]

I recently brought home an 8 week old cattle dog. The first thing i did was introduce him to the chickens. He’s with us now for about 3 weeks. I have absolutely no problem with him and the chickens. He does like to nip ( heeler ). Part of teaching him is letting him know when he does something wrong. A simple “ No” and eventually he gets it. He’s still a puppy but he’s picking up quickly. Praise and reprimand , time and training! Your dog will do fine.

 

[3riverschick]

Just to interject. Smooth collie from a herding, performance strain.
Best,
Karen