Oh no. They got a pup!

[Revelle]

My family that I'm moving to in a couple months got a pup when they know I'll be bring chickens with me. I wonder if they thought that it would help protect the girls? Dunno! But I'm worrying.

It's a rottweiler pup, my boyfriend (it's actually his family

) THINKS its 6 months old, but isn't certain. I'm worried that the pup will be too old to learn to protect, not eat!, the girls when we get there in July.

Does anyone have advice on what do to?

I'm worried silly with this now.

 

[Tala]

Ask them.
Just ask them.

Ask them what they were thinking about containing the dog, separating it from the chickens, how much obedience training they are doing, etc. etc. etc.

Ask them what they think should be done if their big ole rotty kills another dog. Then ask them what they think should be done if their rotty kills a cat. THEN ask them what they think should be done if the rotty kills one of your chickens. (Don't just ask about chickens, because while us chicken people equate chickens as pets, MOST other people Do NOT Value chickens the same as they do cats or dogs) IF they think the punishment for killing a bird is less than the punishment for killing another dog, I would NEVER move in with them.

I personally don't think I could own a chicken-killing dog (because DH isn't responsible-enough to keep the critters separated

) but if MY dog did kill a bird it would be MY fault -more than the dog's fault, so I would give him a chance and rehome him to a place without birds. A stray or un-contained dog would be shot. See how they feel about THAT.

On the other hand though, my aunt has a Rottie and free range chickens. She's had broodies and raised chicks, the whole nine yards....it CAN be done if you train the dog to obey you first, then training other stuff is cake.

 

[Katy]

If you're moving to their house I guess they can get any kind of pet they want. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if someone was moving into my home I don't think they'd have any say over what pets I had.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
While I agree. I kinda got the impression from the OP that she is moving in with a boyfriend, and the chickens were ALREADY invited over before the pup was even thought about. Unless I'm misreading, it sounds like the birds were "there first" even though they haven't actually moved in.

I think if you are going to be essentially family living together, then yes the boyfriend is going to have to take the birds into consideration when he gets a dog.

If he can't do that, then maybe the OP should get a more-chicken-friendly boyfriend!!!!!!!!

 

[Revelle]

Oh, I'm not trying to tell them that it's crazy they're getting a pup when it's their house! I'm just worried about training it, since me and the girls won't be there til mid July and that might be too late for easier training. I figure I should probably train to keep it away or not hurt the girls, since they're mine and technically guests and not the family's responsibility.

I can't talk to them much, since I don't have a way to contact them. xD I've been talking to them through their son, which I have to talk to through phone/IM. Gotta love military.

They're really good people, so I hope they're going to take the pup to classes. I've already told bf to tell them that. Bossy, yet it's one of the things I think should be for every pup! Especially rottweilers, since their reputation seems to precede them. 0_o

 

[Revelle]

Quote:
While I agree. I kinda got the impression from the OP that she is moving in with a boyfriend, and the chickens were ALREADY invited over before the pup was even thought about. Unless I'm misreading, it sounds like the birds were "there first" even though they haven't actually moved in.

I think if you are going to be essentially family living together, then yes the boyfriend is going to have to take the birds into consideration when he gets a dog.

If he can't do that, then maybe the OP should get a more-chicken-friendly boyfriend!!!!!!!!

Oh, boyfriend is very chicken friendly! He's super excited for the chicks. But, his family is in Utah, while he's stationed in Virginia, and I'm in Illinois! As expected, communication is very... confusing!

 

[ranchhand]

You're moving into their house and their family. I doubt you can train the dog to leave the chickens alone.

I'd suggest showing up with a dog proof run.

 

[Revelle]

Quote:
Most likely wouldn't be able to. Bf even said the pup might not like us for a while. The run might be a problem, since it was going to be a project over there to rebuild a coop since it would be tough transporting one a few hundred miles. Was going to keep the girls in a makeshift coop til then, but have to find a way to build and move a coop knox with me!

 

[ranchhand]

What about getting a place for just you two?

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Most likely wouldn't be able to. Bf even said the pup might not like us for a while. The run might be a problem, since it was going to be a project over there to rebuild a coop since it would be tough transporting one a few hundred miles. Was going to keep the girls in a makeshift coop til then, but have to find a way to build and move a coop knox with me!

To me it sounds like none of you (the bf, his family or you) know much about dog training. Seems like a 6month Rottie is a big responsibility for someone who doesn't know much about training dogs.

If I were you, I'd build a dog-proofed place BEFORE you brought the birds over. That's what I'd do.