problem

[Heather J]

I have an American Eskimo, and she got one of our chickens last year when they were probably about twelve weeks. She was so proud of herself and came up to us with it in her mouth. We shamed her and the next time I took her out near there I used the shock collar if she headed for them. Two medium grade shocks, and some shame-that was it. I've seen them walk right in front of her now and she doesn't look twice at them.

Still, she isn't a bird dog--which is bred specifically for catching birds, and I don't let her run around with the chickens without supervision. They are behind a fence (They have their own bit of pasture, above and beyond the secure run.). No matter how good she is, and how disinterested she acts, she isn't allowed near the babies, and if the situation was right, she might get playful and decide to chase one some day again. No matter how much I love her, she's a dog--I can't forget her nature, or I'll regret it some day.

 

[buckeye lady]

does that guy have a scar of EGDOL on his forehead. If not send him my way, I'll put it there. Don't hit the dog, just pen him when the chooks free ranging.

 

[Chicken Woman]

I agree ! I used a shock collar on my golden retriever for about a week everytime she went up to the run. I would watch her out the window and shock her so she knew even when I wasn't there she would get a correction.

She stays away from the run and even when I have them out of the run she keeps her distance. Of course I never trust her to be with them unless I am there or they are in there run where they are protected.

I love my chickens but I also love my dog and want to make sure that I set up a safe place for both.

Please do not hit a dog. They will only learn to be afraid of you ! They won't learn to leave the chickens alone. As I said in an earlier post all dogs have a natural instinct to chase chickens when they run and flap around.