Please don't hate me...Dog and Chicken problems

[Bonbon88]

So this is upsetting and I hope you don't hate me.

My partner's dog has now killed 4 of my neighbors backyard chickens. We live in a fairly urban context, three duplexes with back yards surrounded by apartments in Texas. Mind you, she had no interest what so ever in their adult hens who roamed freely in their backyard. Then a giant random raccoon killed two of their 5 bird flock so they purchased new babies. This was when our dog did some damage. First she killed two babies when our neighbor was unaware his wife left them outside that day, and I just let our dog out. So we reinforced our flimsy wire fence with more wire and zip ties, and our neighbors only put their babies out side in the newly constructed protective raccoon-proof coop if someone was outside. He even told me he really didn't think she could get into the new coop. But things happen, I didn't see the babies outside (I was looking for them in the wrong spot, and I wouldn't let her out if I saw them) and thought we had fixed the fence issue, and I assumed the coop was strong. Also discovered she hadn't gotten through a hole in the fence like we originally thought. She jumped the fence (which I didn't think she was capable of). So, now two more are dead. Ugh. I've found some hens of laying age to give them....but more needs to be done and I don't know what. I feel really stupid for underestimating her determination.

My dad always said to put the carcass in their collar as punishment, but...I hate listening to him regarding many things, including this. Just seems really brutal, and I know nature is like that but...there has gotta be another way.

She is a really really sweet dog and obedient when we give her directions.I'm wondering if we need to try to raise babies here around her so we can monitor and train her to understand they aren't prey. When the chickens are our neighbors property its harder to familiarize her with them, and make her understand they are off limits. We have talked about getting chickens before, but only got as far as buying some supplies to build a coop. A hoop house idea took precedence. Anyway, I'm hopping for some advice from those more experienced with such issues.

 

[TwoCrows]

I am so sorry for your losses.

And no one hates you.

So don't beat yourself up. These things happen and the dog was only doing what dogs do.

Unfortunately, most dogs see chickens as dinner. Putting the carcass in the collar isn't going to do anything. There are threads here on how to train your dog to get along with chickens. I have never read thru this thread in it's entirety, but this thread may be of help to you....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/829562/training-teaching-a-dog-about-chickens

There are others if you do a search here on BYC at the top of this page. Not all dogs do respond to this training, but some do and become wonderful protectors of your flock.

For now, make sure your coop and run are safe and don't let the birds out if the dog is on the loose.

Great to have you aboard and good luck with all your new adventures!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! It is always upsetting when animals get killed, we don't hate you and are glad you are trying to solve the dog problem. TwoCrows gave you some good advice and a nice link to start reading, training methods vary and it really needs to be tailored to the individual dog and situation. (The tie the dead chicken around the neck is pretty much never a good idea.) Unfortunately some dogs are never safe around chickens, especially if they have a history of killing them. If I understand correctly, your dog is getting loose and going on the neighbors property and killing their chickens. It is absolutely 100% you/ your partners responsibility to keep your dog contained. The dog should never be outside unleashed/unsupervised until the fence/yard is secure and there is no way she can get out. You could talk to your neighbor about going over there with your dog and doing some training with her around their chickens, if you can't get your own.

 

[drumstick diva]

Depending on where you live, your neighbor probably has every right to kill your dog the next time it visits their chickens.

It's really not a matter of looking to see if the chickens are out it's a matter of accepting your dog will KILL chickens. She should NEVER be allowed loose . When the dog isn't on a leash, it should be kept in a very secure run that is dig proof and has a roof. No flimsy chicken wire,

Chicks are fast and squeak when you bite them, so great fun for a dog - not any fun for the chick.
She hasn't gone after grown birds because they might peck the daylights out of her. Chicks are totally vulnerable.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

Wow a sad day for everyone involved and I hope the victim
was made right

I have lost many chickens to dogs over the years and it really
amazes me how upset the dog owners get when I have the
Deputy return the remains to the owner even though I really
don't want to as it is so up setting to the children involved but
the Law requires me to give the animal to the Deputy's and
to call in and make a report when I make such noise ,,,

The weird part is I have never had an owner pay me for losses
but always screams and carries on about their loss ..

Ya know the Bob-Cat's and Fox & Coyotes do not do anywhere
near the damage a domestic pet will do in one sitting

It is like having the neighbors kid braking in to ones garage
and steeling all the tools one needs to work on the car, I only
use that one because it happened here this last year

Anyway have a great day and I hope everyone learned something
in this unnecessary incident

gander007

gander007

 

[Beekissed]

Electric works well. Either invest in an electric wireless containment system that provides a double fencing system for you and your dog....and he can't jump over the electric boundary...and make your physical fence between you and the neighbor more sturdy.....wooden privacy fencing topped with electric charged wire and also electric at the bottom where he cannot dig out and he also cannot visualize the chickens.

There are all kinds of training methods one can use to train dogs on chickens but I don't think you are there yet in your dog ownership skills...I'd work first on obedience training and reinforcing your fencing solutions.

 

[petrel]

Invisible fence keeps my dog in the yard. However, all dogs will breach an electric fence if they want something badly enough. A real fence is the only solution then.

 

[Rainier]

That's a tough situation. Before I write more I want to make clear I am not defending the dog but rather trying to help the OP understand why this is not going to be easy to fix.

Unfortunately the dog was given a very powerful Positive Reinforcement when it killed the chicks. For your dog it was a "good" time and if given the chance he/she will do it again. Your dog has to be taught that even just looking at the chicks results in something bad happening, i.e. Negative Punishment (which does not mean hitting, yelling or hurting the dog). An example is when your dog jumps on you wanting attention and you ignore them, that is an example of Negative Punishment.

The OP didn't post enough information to say whether this is a lack of training issue, such as was the dog called and ignored the command? If so that is a whole different issue and basic obedience need to be revisited and worked some more.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Consistent obedience training and never allowing the dog to be outside un monitored will help with the situation.