Puppy behaving badly

[moonshadowmama]

I have a complete hatred towards livestock, killing/ maiming/ chasing " dogs". I have three chickens left after losing a couple dozen chickens, countless chicks, and 8 guineas. Of Course this has happened over the several years but these deaths have all been at the paws of DOGS, mostly my neighbors, and brothers husky. Solution: husky is no longer allowed to come visit and neighbors dogs scared off by a well aimed, low powered bb gun.
I have dreamed for years of getting an Australian Shepherd. The time finally came that the planets aligned and we where able to bring home our baby Dash. He is the total package, everything I could ever wish for in a dog, smart, loving, loyal, and fantastic with my young boys. This winter when Dash was 4 months old, the above mention husky came for a visit. My baby Dash witnessed Thunder ( the Husky) killing one of my beloved lavender Guineas. Not sure if there is a correlation but now my Dash has taken a sickening fancy to catching our feathered babies and mauling them. He has only done it twice, one of which he fatally injured my last Guinea "Guinness". My heart is so broken now. I have never believed in beating animals but I came so close today out of sheer ANGER and FRUTRATION, when my sweet Dash attacked and defeathered my Bantam rooster Stew. I locked him out in his outdoor kennel a couple of ours ago so that I can calm down. I cant even bare to look at him I am so sad. I love him so so much, but I also care for all of my creatures I feed and nurture. Getting rid of him is not an option, and the same goes for Stew, Goldie, and Raina (my last remaining chickens). HELPPPPPP MEEEE!!!!!!

 

[Kevin565]

He needs Proper training. How old is he now? Is he given unsupervised with the birds? I would defiantly not consider this until he is properly trained. You should try the Other Pets and Livestock section for some help in training Dash.

 

[moonshadowmama]

I have been training since he first set foot on our farm. He is 7 mos old. I dont typically leave him unatended in the yard where the chickens free range, but I was serving my gents lunch and thought Dash could be trusted for a few minutes.....wrong. He is ussually at my side, but today he was bored, apperently. I ussually keep him really busy with the sheep, frisbee or walking the pasture, he recently injured his paw, so I have been trying to keep him quiet so it would heal properly. Everytime he does this, it is such a set back, and I dont want it to effect our relationship. He is still in his Kennel. I am fighting the urge to go out and hold him and let him know how much I care about him, but I dont want him to feel like what he did was at all ok behavior.

 

[luvmydux]

It seems once they get a taste for poultry......this might be something you don't want to hear....

 

[sourland]

It seems once they get a taste for poultry......this might be something you don't want to hear....

Not true. Continue your training and realize that many dogs and puppies especially should not be left alone with poultry. He is a herding dog, and his instinct is triggered by the movement of the birds.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Let me know if you decide to give the dog away. I wouldn't have any problems with training him to leave my birds alone.

Killing livestock is a behavior that is very quickly learned. Big mistake to let your pup out to kill birds with the husky. You might want to get tougher on your "no husky" rule.

At this point, your pup should never ever be unsupervised with birds. Not even for 2 seconds. What was an easy training job has now turned into a very serious and long training job. It's very easy to teach them to leave poultry alone. It is difficult to re-train them to leave poultry alone after they have killed poultry. You are going to have to put some work in.

 

[moonshadowmama]

I will not give up on my Dash. He is so worth the effort it will take to retrain him. As for the husky, he was banned from our farm after he killed the guinea. I love this dog and he will be a model Aussie.

 

[Ksane]

Just separate them. They don't *have to live together and sometimes it's just flat easier if they don't, I've got loads of dogs (and loads of chickens) but the 2 species don't mingle. Fences are a must. If your dog is loose in the yard while you're gone I'd opt for hot wire also (if you can).

 

[luvmydux]

Not true. Continue your training and realize that many dogs and puppies especially should not be left alone with poultry. He is a herding dog, and his instinct is triggered by the movement of the birds.

Maybe sourland can replace your poultry when the dog kills em.....

 

[sourland]

Maybe sourland can replace your poultry when the dog kills em.....

Ouch!