Our Dog Killed the Neighbors' Turkey Poult

[klsmith0807]

It’s not his fault, dogs are still animals and have instincts. Sometimes I have to remind myself not to cast expectations of human behavior onto pets. I can understand why you are horrified ( I would be, too). My pitty mix once ate a nest of baby mice and then vomited them up in the car. She was also ok with our cats though, and never bothered the hamster when he was in his ball running around the house.
Training will help, but if it turns out that he has a high prey drive I would keep him away from poultry and small animals in the future- it still won’t be his fault, he just will not be able to stop himself.
Would also be a bit concerned that his kennel is facing the chicken coop. It could be desensitizing, but could also have the opposite affect by allowing him to become obsessed by chasing them too. Is he in the kennel all day?
He’s still a pup and has time to learn and grow, I think y’all will be fine as long as you are diligent in the future.

 

[Naser]

I would say put an electric fence around him

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

It’s not his fault, dogs are still animals and have instincts. Sometimes I have to remind myself not to cast expectations of human behavior onto pets. I can understand why you are horrified ( I would be, too). My pitty mix once ate a nest of baby mice and then vomited them up in the car. She was also ok with our cats though, and never bothered the hamster when he was in his ball running around the house.
Training will help, but if it turns out that he has a high prey drive I would keep him away from poultry and small animals in the future- it still won’t be his fault, he just will not be able to stop himself.
Would also be a bit concerned that his kennel is facing the chicken coop. It could be desensitizing, but could also have the opposite affect by allowing him to become obsessed by chasing them too. Is he in the kennel all day?
He’s still a pup and has time to learn and grow, I think y’all will be fine as long as you are diligent in the future.

He's in there 3-5 hours a day, often broken up into intervals based on weather and such. We've been kennel training him and he seems to love it in there. We do spy on him through the window frequently when he's out there and he's always *not* looking at the chickens--facing the house, chewing on one of his toys, napping. Never trying to get out. He ignores their coops/runs entirely when out playing around the yard.

The real test will be the fall when my husband and I start teaching again. Still, longest he'd be in there unsupervised would be 4ish hours, and not that often since we teach alternate days of the week. Both his kennel and the coops/runs are Fort Knoxes (Albie's run has a concrete floor, 8 ft walls, and a metal roof). Still...so nervous...gulp.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Al

It’s not his fault, dogs are still animals and have instincts. Sometimes I have to remind myself not to cast expectations of human behavior onto pets. I can understand why you are horrified ( I would be, too). My pitty mix once ate a nest of baby mice and then vomited them up in the car. She was also ok with our cats though, and never bothered the hamster when he was in his ball running around the house.
Training will help, but if it turns out that he has a high prey drive I would keep him away from poultry and small animals in the future- it still won’t be his fault, he just will not be able to stop himself.
Would also be a bit concerned that his kennel is facing the chicken coop. It could be desensitizing, but could also have the opposite affect by allowing him to become obsessed by chasing them too. Is he in the kennel all day?
He’s still a pup and has time to learn and grow, I think y’all will be fine as long as you are diligent in the future.

Also, thank you for sharing your experience! It is very helpful for me.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

**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.

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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. **

Just be really careful in the future because sometimes one time a dog has killed, it will kill again. I would just suggest really cracking down on the training and never allow your dog off leash until you are completely sure that the dog will obey your commands and stop when it is told. Your dog is young so it may take another year or two, but you guys sound really responsible and I am sure that you will be able to work with your dog.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

He's in there 3-5 hours a day, often broken up into intervals based on weather and such. We've been kennel training him and he seems to love it in there. We do spy on him through the window frequently when he's out there and he's always *not* looking at the chickens--facing the house, chewing on one of his toys, napping. Never trying to get out. He ignores their coops/runs entirely when out playing around the yard.

The real test will be the fall when my husband and I start teaching again. Still, longest he'd be in there unsupervised would be 4ish hours, and not that often since we teach alternate days of the week. Both his kennel and the coops/runs are Fort Knoxes (Albie's run has a concrete floor, 8 ft walls, and a metal roof). Still...so nervous...gulp.

Well, before he goes into his kennel, maybe somebody could take him out for exercise and maybe a run for 30 minutes or so and that way he will be tired and just relax in his run for the four hours he is left in it alone. I have always started out with puppies that are very energetic and always would take them out at the beginning of the day for an hour to run and swim and then they would just be exhausted for the rest of the day. It also makes training sessions a lot easier if the dog is better able to focus because it has burned off it’s hyperactive energy.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Well, before he goes into his kennel, maybe somebody could take him out for exercise and maybe a run for 30 minutes or so and that way he will be tired and just relax in his run for the four hours he is left in it alone. I have always started out with puppies that are very energetic and always would take them out at the beginning of the day for an hour to run and swim and then they would just be exhausted for the rest of the day. It also makes training sessions a lot easier if the dog is better able to focus because it has burned off it’s hyperactive energy.

Thanks for your help on multiple threads now! I'm happy to report Albie has been doing great with his chicken training. He gets a long walk in the morning and then a run in the afternoon, with some off leash playtime in between (fetch and such). We've also started working him around chickens on leash and he's been doing great. He's gotten to the point that he can play off leash around them (fetch) without so much as batting an eyelash. He lets them eat treats off of him as he patiently waits for his own (once my bossy hen will even steal his treat from his mouth and then gave him a peck on his nose--I almost died, but he took it like a champ and just smiled at her).

Of course, we'll never let him be around chickens unsupervised--I don't think he'd ever intend to kill one, but I'm sure he'd get playful and could easily do so accidentally. But with us around, at least, he's a gentle (if somewhat aloof) friend to the chickens. He loves laying down by them while they free range

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Thanks for your help on multiple threads now! I'm happy to report Albie has been doing great with his chicken training. He gets a long walk in the morning and then a run in the afternoon, with some off leash playtime in between (fetch and such). We've also started working him around chickens on leash and he's been doing great. He's gotten to the point that he can play off leash around them (fetch) without so much as batting an eyelash. He lets them eat treats off of him as he patiently waits for his own (once my bossy hen will even steal his treat from his mouth and then gave him a peck on his nose--I almost died, but he took it like a champ and just smiled at her).

Of course, we'll never let him be around chickens unsupervised--I don't think he'd ever intend to kill one, but I'm sure he'd get playful and could easily do so accidentally. But with us around, at least, he's a gentle (if somewhat aloof) friend to the chickens. He loves laying down by them while they free range

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Aww...That’s great! I knew you could turn the situation around! I’m so glad you guys are putting in the work and the time that it takes to make the change and your dog looks very happy BTW!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Thanks for your help on multiple threads now! I'm happy to report Albie has been doing great with his chicken training. He gets a long walk in the morning and then a run in the afternoon, with some off leash playtime in between (fetch and such). We've also started working him around chickens on leash and he's been doing great. He's gotten to the point that he can play off leash around them (fetch) without so much as batting an eyelash. He lets them eat treats off of him as he patiently waits for his own (once my bossy hen will even steal his treat from his mouth and then gave him a peck on his nose--I almost died, but he took it like a champ and just smiled at her).

Of course, we'll never let him be around chickens unsupervised--I don't think he'd ever intend to kill one, but I'm sure he'd get playful and could easily do so accidentally. But with us around, at least, he's a gentle (if somewhat aloof) friend to the chickens. He loves laying down by them while they free range

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I am happy to read that Albie is doing so well with his chicken training. Keep up the good work. A good dog is worth it!

 

[kgallego]

**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.

View attachment 2255276
View attachment 2255278

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. **

I’m sorry but I didn’t read your whole novel, but the best anti-poultry killing dog training method that I have used is a remote shock collar. Works like a charm.