Possibly buying a puppy.... Advice?

[Lady of McCamley]

I agree 100% with @dainerra

Not all dogs should be bred. Responsible breeders do genetic and health testing on the parents before breeding and never breed poorly tempered parents.

GSD and Aussies are wonderful dogs, but generally not the best for first time dog owners as those dogs are too smart for their own good...and often yours. Unless you are experienced they tend to train you as they can be strong willed when they get the sense they know more about what is going on than you do.

The same can be said for Huskies who also add a primal energy with the ability to escape most enclosures.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I’ve gotten two puppies two years in a row - one in December and one in November. Shoot, I just got my chickens a month ago.

Yes, I guess it can be more challenging to take a puppy out in the winter months. But, it also can be a real pain in the spring when it’s wet and muddy. At least the ground is hard and not a mess when you come in. Oh and dogs love snow! It’s so much fun to take them out and let them play.

I recommend a long lead. Like at least 40 foot. That way when you have them out, you can let them run, play recall games, etc. and still be able to catch them. Most of these leads are nylon, so be careful because they can wrap around ankles - in the winter not a problem, but a bare ankle with nylon wrapped around causes much pain.

Work on recall, recall, recall. It has been great for my dogs who are now 3 and 2. We even have a safe recall word so that if they need to come back “right now!” They will do so.

Having a new puppy is like a newborn baby at first. It’s at least two weeks of crying puppy to go out in the middle of the night.
I recommend crate training as well. But, really look into it. You don’t want to use puppy pads unless they are going to be in a confined area for an extended amount of time.

Oh and we have a lab poodle mix and a golden retriever poodle mix - so both rather high energy dogs.
I will be back to comment more - got to get ready for work now!

Excellent advice here on recall, which is something to work towards as your puppy matures.

Cookie can be a good recall word when they have selective hearing. (Cookie refers to dog treat and not the sugar dessert). Their name with come is the regular command. Don't call and call but call once then guide with short lead then reward. Work up to longer lead as they perfect. Always begin recall work on leads in safe enclosures with little distraction...ie far away from chickens...that introduction comes much later in a controlled manner after basic obedience.

One clarification, since its been mentioned by several different posters, in the crate training I'm referring to, puppy pee pads are not used. The crate is purposely small like a den as you don't want the dog eliminating in it. The puppy should just have room to lay comfortably, stand up, turn in place and lay down. If it is too big, they will eliminate in a corner, which is something you don't want as it is also part of the potty training...which means for the first couple of nights to at most a week or so, you will get up at night to relieve the puppy. But almost all puppies soon have the ability to make it through the night if relieved at bed time.

Also feed no later than 6pm and remove water after 8pm. Avoid having them tank up before bedtime or you will have nightly potty runs or accidents.

This means you will block the back portion of larger crates or have several crate sizes to create the safe den effect.

LofMc

 

[igorsMistress]

Congrats on the new puppy, how exciting!!

Socializing is important, maybe the most important with chow in the mix. Not only taking your puppy places, but having people come to your home.

We had a lab, he lived to be 15 and NEVER grew up. He was an awesome dog.

He never ate chickens but he followed them around the yard and flushed them from the bushes and I'm pretty sure one died from the stress. Training your puppy around chickens will be very important as well.

Be prepared to be a hardass with any dog at some point. If you aren't the boss, well you aren't the boss. Some dogs are harder to train than others, and just like kids they'll test you.

Best of luck and post pics!

 

[Susannah4040]

Some great advice above...my advice is to research, research and still, more research...we have a variety of dogs - all pure breeds...at least you have some indication of the strengths and/or weaknesses of the breeds...it has been my experience with cross breeds, you really don't have a clear indication of what the pup will be like...if however, you know what breeds make up their immediate parentage, you can then research those breeds and work from there...positive reinforcement and being consistent with what form of training and discipline you choose, will also help you greatly in raising a loveable, confident companion...all my best for you and your new pup.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I'm what you would call a BYD (backyard dog) person. I've had many dogs in my life in a wide spectrum of breeds. I just love dogs and as my Mother always said..."I've been blessed with the St. Francis gene."

I was never a breeder nor a professional trainer...so no credentials...just an average peep that loves dogs.

Although I've never had chickens (before now), my experience with the dogs I have had, I'll offer up my opinion on which dog I feel would of been fantastic in the role of Chicken Protector / Companion.

Hands down, the Norwegian Elkhound stands out in my recollection of how intelligent, ease of training, loyalty/protection of family including other pets and the gentle nature to everything vulnerable (diligently watched over new born kittens and my infant son like they were his own). Although not an aggressive guard dog like the Dobes I've had, the Norwegian Elkhound's deep bark pared with fierce facial markings were enough of a deterrent to make folks cross the road to pass by the yard. Cons: They shed profusely...365 days/yr...and molt twice. Lol. But the birds love their downy fur for their nests.

The German Shepherd is a very close second with one slight difference. They tend to bond with one family member as their "master" which, at times, can be a pain in the butt when executing commands.

Samoyed...similar to the Elkhound in respects to family loyalty but very stubborn so I think the hunter instinct would be tough to overcome. Barks at nothing..all...the...time...

I do not recommend the Chow, Dobe, Rottie or any mixes with those breeds as they are Alpha dogs which comes with challenges in itself and wouldn't fit into the dynamics of what you want to accomplish.

Labs....well...that's tough. Fantastic dogs but...I've had few of them and the only thing they all had in common were they were perpetual puppies their entire life. One would go after any bird or small critter to bring back to me as a prize. One.. birds would sit on the edge of his food dish and feast and he could care less...and the one I have now loves to play with everything and thinks everything is a toy. So not sure how he'd be with my chickens. I have not introduced them yet. And...he's 9 yrs old so I'm not sure retraining in any form is viable. Having said that...I think training from a pup to protect the chickens and not play/retrieve them you would have a great chicken dog...but just be prepared for the energy level.

Beagles...absolutely not.
Scottish Terriers...absolutely not...ever.
Toy Poodle...just keep it on your lap.

I've had a few mutts too that would have made awesome chicken dogs but not sure of their breed mixtures.

Good luck with your adventure!

P.S. I recommend breed specific rescues when adopting.

 

[chickencheeper]

Please consider adopting! There are so many homeless puppies that are just as good as breeder dogs. https://www.petfinder.com/

 

[BYCforlife]

Socialize constantly. For a little while, try to take the puppy everywhere you can, and make every experience a positive one. Make sure the puppy is getting lots of gentle affection, playtime and treats everywhere it goes and from every person. Make sure it's constantly going to new places, experiencing new environments, experiencing old environments in new ways, etc.
Like if you usually go to the park at mid-day, mix it up. Go in the evening and after sundown too. If you live in a predominantly white neighborhood, spend time trying to walk through neighborhoods that are mostly PoC. If you live in a quiet suburb with tree lawns, take a trip to pet-friendly malls and business districts. If your family has no children, try to visit friends who have pet savvy kids.
And remember, your dog will pick up on your feelings about what you're doing. If you're feeling nervous where you are your dog will too. So try to make sure it's a good, positive experience for you as well.
If a dog experiences good things surrounding these area as a puppy they will be less likely to be scared of them as an adult when their fear can be dangerous or harmful. (Not even saying biting here. A scared dog may push people over, antagonize other dogs, or yank the leash out of your hands and run, maybe pulling you over too.)
A socialized dog is more likely to be a confident positive dog to own.

Very good info! I live on a quarter section in the country, so there's a lot of room to walk, and no loud distractions.
It well definitely be socialized with well. I will be the owner, so I'll do all of the hard stuff, and my family will do a lot of the petting.

 

[BYCforlife]

Where do you intend to train it to go?

I live on a farm, so pretty much anywhere off the edge of the yard.

 

[BYCforlife]

Puppies are naughty! They don't mean to be but they need a lot of supervision. I recommend crate training. Then puppy has a safe space where s/he can't get up to mischief (and won't go to the toilet because it's her bed) while you need to concentrate on other things.

Also, be aware that medium-large breeds don't mature mentally until at least 2 years old (especially with Lab in the mix). If you're like I was and you've only had experience with dogs, puppies are a whole 'nother ball game. But with consistent training you'll have a well behaved dog that's a pleasure to be around.

Very good to know! I will make sure to have a good place for it.

 

[BYCforlife]

Just make sure you get your puppy properly vaccinated before you go to public places where other dogs have been. Parvo is a very real and potentially deadly virus that affects un-vaccinated pups. Good luck to you and enjoy your puppy. It's been nine years since I've had a puppy so I'm no help!

It will have vaccinations when I buy it in 28 days, and it'll be staying on the farm most of the time.