Our dog was naughty--She's at it again :( :( :(

[Peeplperson]

I have an old, arthritic, submissive, wouldn't-hurt-a-flea Golden Ret. who ignored the chicks in our garage brooder.

Since the chicks moved into the coop & run, I like to sit on a lawn chair and watch them (as many of you do judging by all the chairs in coop photos). My sweet dog likes to join me there, and I noticed that her nose seemed to be running. Upon closer inspection, I realized that she was DROOLING! Also licking her lips and repeatedly swallowing with her nose 1/4 inch from the hardware cloth. Usually with a bold BO directly on the other side giving us both "the eye".

The first book I bought about keeping chickens said that 'dogs kill chickens'. They aren't bad - it's just who they are in the food chain.

My dog would make lunch out of any chicken she could catch as will most dogs eventually. We love our pets so much that we want to think that they have human understanding.

Now I'll step down off my soapbox, and say that I'm sorry about your birds, your dog, and your family's loss. I hope something can work out.

 

[sparkles2307]

Quote:
I do realize what Dachshunds were bred for. I am not just someone who gets an animal because its cute. I read books and books and books BEFORE making any decision about adding another animal to our hobby farm. For example, I wanted a Great Dane more than anything, but I know what that breed needs as far as space, excercise, etc and knew that at the time it was not an option, so in spite of wanting one SO bad I could taste it I put it on hold till I was able to provide what Duke(my old dane) would need. I got him when I was prepared for him. As a child my parents ALWAYS had dachshunds...and they NEVER attacked any of our free-range ducks, chickens, turkeys, geese, etc. I wouldnt think of a rodent hunter as a bird dog. Dachshunds are bred for digging into the ground after rodents (badgers, weasels, things like that) I realize that all dogs have the instinct to hunt and predate upon smaller food sources, however I find it to be completely unacceptable for her to be ignoring these birds for as long as she did and then suddenly take after them. She has plenty of food, even outside of her food dish because there are plenty of mice (which she loves) and rabbits that she takes great pleasure in chasing and capturing. Poor Emma is still tied up, DH doesnt know what to do. He doesnt want her to go but he doesnt want to make the ducks miserable by taking away access to their huge swamp by locking them up. Emma does a darn good job of warning us if Foxes, Raccoons, etc are sneaking around...we cant NOT have a dog, but can I have a dog that now has the taste of duck in her belly and is FULLY capable of burrowing under/thru the barriers we have in place to keep things out of the coop/pen?
I posted the original post because this is a community where we celebrate each other's victories and cry over reach other's losses. What I do with my dog is my decision I didnt post to ask permission to handle it in the best way for our INDIVIDUAL family and situation. I needed a shoulder and knew that everyone here would understand the loss.

 

[LA~Poulet]

We raised mini dachshunds for years when I was growing up, we always had at least 1 or 2 around. We raised them alongside kittens, chicks, quail, ducklings, baby raccoons (don't bash, lol!), baby squirrels, etc. We never had one kill another pet.

Out of probably 10 dachshunds that we had over the years, only one had to be rehomed to a kid-free home for being aggressive, and he was one that we had adopted already fully grown (he snapped at my 3 year old brother's face). The others ALL happily coexisted free ranging with our other pets. We had a golden retriever (best dog ever) who would kill ANY neighborhood cat that came anywhere near our property, as well as any bird he could catch (he even took an owl out of the air one evening). He left OUR cats, kittens, and birds alone and died at the old age of fifteen.

Don't bash OP because it definitely CAN be done, and we weren't expert dog trainers, but our pets knew what was expected of them. Our Doxies would tree any squirrel or go after any wild rabbit or other vermin around, but they knew who was 'family' and were perfectly compatible with them. We even had two pet rabbits at one time we let loose to be free in the yard, and they were also untouched for years.

 

[sparkles2307]

Well Poor Emma decided that 2 of my pullets looked too good to pass up yesterday and we came home at noon to find two piles of feathers and guts. And her dang belly was so full she could barely roll over. She's not going to stop now, so she is going to my dad's house where she can be spoiled rotten AWAY from access to ANY birds. Poor girl, I feel bad but I cant put my other animals in harm's way like that.

ETA: we still arent sure how the pullets got out! We have looked over their run and pen several times and its a mystery.

 

[LA~Poulet]

I'm sorry about your pullets. It sounds like Emma & your chickens will be better off with her going to live with your dad.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

OMG. You just aren't catching any breaks with that dog. I am glad your father came up to visit you when he did so he could take Emma with him. I am sure she will be a spoiled, happy little girl there.

I am sorry about your pullets.

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

sorry about the ducks. i also have a dachshund, and he loves the chickens. he once almost ate one of my barred rock chicks that escaped, but he was just trying to play with her. buddy wouldnt hurt a fly, but i hope he doesnt turn on me

 

[AmyRey]

Having a doxie myself, I know they do quite well being spoiled rotten. She'll enjoy being doted on. (Thank goodness ya'll didn't kill her!

)

 

[sparkles2307]

Oh no kidding! When we got home yesterday afternoon and saw what she did with a couple of hours of not being suprevised DH was about DONE. His temper, I think sometimes it will get him into trouble one of these days.

 

[AmyRey]

Our doxie would love to be able to "play" with the chickens unsupervised, but we aren't dare brave enough to trust her. She's allowed to be around them unleashed, but never without someone around to maintain the peace. If she gets a bit too vigorous, a quick verbal correction calms her immediately. But gosh... if we weren't there, she'd run them to death if she didn't all out bite them.

I'm afraid your girl just couldn't handle the temptation any longer.