Our Dog Killed the Neighbors' Turkey Poult

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

**I'm not sure what I'm looking for when writing this post. Maybe to just be able to get this off my chest or to see if others have had shared experiences. Maybe an attempt at catharsis. Any thoughts our personal insights are much appreciated. We are having a hard time with this.**

BACKGROUND OF DOG: Albie dog is a big, goofy, outgoing, sweet 8 month old GSD mix we have had since 10 weeks old. We immediately took to training him with our small backyard flock and our two cats to make sure he learned such animals are off limits. He has done amazingly well with the cats--never showed any kind of fixation or prey drive towards them though he does love them and *wishes* they loved him, too. Regarding the chickens: not great, but not bad. He's been off leash with them free ranging and would occasionally want to chase the ones that were startled and ran but he'd just do a playful pounce around them, and would stop upon command. He did fine around the neighbors chickens before--interested but then called off easily, or attention averted. The neighbors were fine with him being around when we'd come to their property to socialize. Sadly, we lapsed with the poultry training. It got crazy hot out, and we were very busy organizing a backyard wedding with close family that occurred last week. Albie fell to the back burner a bit in terms of training.

THE ATTACK: Albie LOVES playing with the neighbors' black lab, and they always kindly invite us up for playtime. Their lab happened onto our front porch yesterday evening and we let Albie out to play with him. They ran over to the neighbors yard, so we followed them up to chat with the neighbors. Albie was so amped up running with his friend and doing quite well with training cues. We relaxed. Only then to notice the neighbors pullets were out free ranging. He was ignoring them and sadly we did not think too much of it immediately. Then a turkey poult flew by and he got tunnel vision--wouldn't listen and instantly chased. He's SO FAST. By the time we caught up with him on the other side of the property he had the poor thing in his mouth. He immediately dropped it and she ran off--so I thought she was okay. But upon inspection she had some some puncture wounds around her wings--not much blood but you could see the skin was broken. After taking her into the neighbor's house for emergency care, it became clear she was slowly slipping away, struggling to breathe and flopping over. I kept hoping she'd pull through but she passed within about 10 minutes. I keep replaying it over and over again in my head and feel so sorry. She didn't deserve this. Beautiful, sweet, young bird.

AFTERMATH: While I was trying to give medical care to the turkey pullet my husband scolded the dog and put him in his kennel. We were horrified, embarrassed, guilty beyond belief, and so full of shame. Our immediate impulse was to give Albie away to a non-poultry family. I'm worried about him breaking out of his kennel and attacking our chickens now or the neighbors' chickens again. I'm also worried if this prey drive will suddenly include our cats, though he still seems to treat them like normal (which is sweet, calm, etc.). I know I should not act rashly and wait for the emotions to pass a bit, but I just feel so stuck about everything. For now, no off leash time when the chickens are free-ranging. In the kennel or out for walks/fetch off property otherwise.

The neighbors have been gracious though I know they are upset. They won't accept money or any compensation, though we will be getting them a hefty gift card to Rural King and a card with some flowers. They made a point of saying not to blame Albie, so I'm not sure they *want* him gone. But right now we can't bear to look at him. I'm worried we want him gone. He's amazing with humans of all ages/sizes and dogs (and for now, cats), but we live in chicken central, and he can't be trusted.

HELP?: Has anyone else had this happen? What should you/would you do? Any tips on getting through or moving past this in a way that is best for all parties? Anyone invent a time machine yet?

**RIP little turkey, I wish you could know how sorry I am and I wish I could bring you back. **

 

[orloffer]

I am so sorry you had this experience! It is hard for everyone, the neighbors and yourselves. Sometimes, the natural instinct of the dog comes forth at the wrong time. It is in his nature to go after birds and other small prey animals. I know it is difficult, but keep moving forward. Continue working with him and try to understand his perspective. And do not punish him, as he will not be able to relate the punishment to the action.

Albie is a very cute dog! I wish you the best of luck with him and his training.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I am so sorry you had this experience! It is hard for everyone, the neighbors and yourselves. Sometimes, the natural instinct of the dog comes forth at the wrong time. It is in his nature to go after birds and other small prey animals. I know it is difficult, but keep moving forward. Continue working with him and try to understand his perspective. And do not punish him, as he will not be able to relate the punishment to the action.

Albie is a very cute dog! I wish you the best of luck with him and his training.

Thank you for the encouraging words. We will do our best to keep moving forward with him. We do love him, but right now the emotions are high.

 

[orloffer]

I understand, it is very upsetting and unsettling to have this sort of thing happen.

 

[sourland]

He's a puppy. GSD are extremely intelligent, and he will eventually get the message. For now continue the training and keep him on a flexi lead.

 

[centrarchid]

Dog is a pup and will do such now and again, especially when a playmate is present. My dogs do not stop being stupid until close to 2 years old. Even when the dogs are good with my birds, they cannot be trusted with the neighbors flock. Keep better tabs on pup when it is out with birds. Dogs require a lot of oversight when they are young.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry!
Yes, back to training, and definitely back a few steps, on leash again. Two dogs are a pack, and pack behavior is not single dog behavior either. Too much freedom too soon!!!
Mary

 

[Mmanist]

Consistent training, and keep the dog away from the chickens, unless it's leashed. It happens some times. He is just a young boy and is still learning. Don't give up hope. My female pitbull has a high prey drive. At first she went after my chickens. Now she doesn't even pay any attention to them. Constant correction with her and me personally letting her smell a chicken in my lap. She got over them. But when I add new chickens to my flock. I have to integrate them with her also. If not she thinks it shouldn't be with the original flock and will go after it. She is a good dog. 8yrs old now, but I still keep up with the constant reinforcement of Good behavior and correction when she is being bad.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Dog is a pup and will do such now and again, especially when a playmate is present. My dogs do not stop being stupid until close to 2 years old. Even when the dogs are good with my birds, they cannot be trusted with the neighbors flock. Keep better tabs on pup when it is out with birds. Dogs require a lot of oversight when they are young.

Thank you. Good to know there is hope, with continued training and also (always) supervision. He's so huge I do forget his age often.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

So sorry!
Yes, back to training, and definitely back a few steps, on leash again. Two dogs are a pack, and pack behavior is not single dog behavior either. Too much freedom too soon!!!
Mary

You are right. So many things I wish I could do differently if I went back in time. Didn't know they were free ranging until the crazed beast was already at full throttle