PLEASE HELP!! My small dog won't stop chasing my chickens.

[madgabmomma]

We got a lhasapoo puppy last July and she was always so good around all our other animals. About 3 months or so ago she started chasing and terrorizing my chickens and ducks. She doesn't try to eat them or even kill them I think she just likes the chase. I'm sure she could and would hurt them given the chance but I don't think that's her intent. I don't know how to get her to stop doing this. I always free ranged my chickens and now I can't have them out when little dog is out. IT'S A HUGE PAIN!! I do have a dog run that I put her in but I feel bad b/c we love all of our animals and we're big on letting them have access to the land the majority of the time. Maggie (dog) loves to run and she can run and run and run, so she needs to be able to do that. So please if anyone has some advice on how to train her to stop. The chickens are pretty much mine and the dog is my husbands dog. Although we all love her my husband is the most attached and would never let me rehome her, so that's not an option. We are also thinking of getting a great pyrenese pup soon for protection of the goats and poultry so any advice on how to train a big pup would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[bobbi-j]

Well, either chickens are in when the dog is out and vice versa, or you need to spend some time training your dog. There is lots of helpful information out there on that. Some on here will tell you that you must get rid of either the dog or chickens, but I believe you can have both. It will just take a little extra effort.

 

[bgates1970]

I would invest in a shock collar which you can purchase pretty cheaply at TSC or Petsmart. You could even try a pinch collar and teether a long rope to it. When he/she starts to chase you give a jerk on that collar.

I spent about 6 months training my dog (Vizsla) who has a very strong bird drive. She now knows that chickens are off limits. I still hunt her every fall without any problems. I even let her roam freely outside without the shock collar and she still doesn't chase. In fact, when I'm cleaning out the run she will usually come in with me and just lay down and watch them.

Good Luck! Once a dog gets those feathers in their mouth it's pretty hard to stop them.

 

[schellie69]

Lots and Lots of training you need to let her run some energy off before working with her. I have a dog in training right now and it takes time patience and lots of work. Good luck.

 

[hippiehen]

Lots of training and lots of patience. You need to be an experienced and confident trainer before you get a pyr, that's for sure! There's a great book/dvd called "My Smart Puppy" that might help. We used a lot of the techniques in there on our very dominant pyr mix and hard headed GSP as pups. Now we have fabulous dogs that are complimented all the time on their good behavior. An obedient dog is a happy dog!

 

[sourland]

Discipline and training. She will continue to chase until you convince her that is not allowed. Absolutely do not get a Pyr until you learn how to control this small dog. At this point in the game, a strong willed dog is probably beyond your capabalities.

 

[madgabmomma]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm gonna try just taking her out with me on a leash and correcting her everytime she miss behaves. She's so fast that I have no control of her once outside otherwise. She is great inside and well behaved. She knows several commands and listens well but once that door opens she's like a different dog. Though I love her I don't particularly like her. Big dogs are more my style. Kids adore her though and as long as she's inside she's great. I'm Finns try to work with her though.

 

[madgabmomma]

Quote:
Yea I wont get another dog period until we get this girl under control. My other dog (Basset hound) wasn't even raised with the poultry and he never bothers them. And bassets are the ultimately hard headed dog! Just different personalities I guess. Lol

 

[secuono]

Quote:
What do you do when her fur is too thick for a prong collar or the shock collar? And she's already killed birds before....

 

[Okie Amazon]

Quote:
This is as common as rain.
Training the dog to maintain the focus on you and your commands through any type of distraction is what it's all about. I don't know that I'd go with an e-collar on such a small dog. Some Shis are big enough, but I personally wouldn't use one on a dog under 18 pounds or so.


Edited to add, there is no way her fur is too thick for a prong collar. I train German Shepherds, some with very thick coats and undercoats. No way a Shih Tzu won't feel a prong! If so they are way matted.