puppy chicken killer

[Lucycollie]

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Well, if you think about it, Australian Cattle Dogs are bred to nip (and often bite hard) the heels of uncooperative 500+ lbs animals (armed with hooves, tough hide &, if not horns, at least very hard heads) to get them to move where wanted. Without training to cool their jets, ACDs can even be too rough on sheep. Chickens are a lot smaller & more fragile than cattle or sheep.

I'm not saying that an ACD can't be helpful in herding your little chicks, but keep in mind that they are bred to be very forceful on stock. When excited, a young immature dog will often operate on its base hardwired instincts - which for a ACD would be to chomp hard at the back end/heels of an animal. A nip that would barely get a cow to flick its ears could likely kill a chicken. I would be cautious and make sure all interactions are supervised and kept low key until the dog is mentally mature - IMHO that's 2 years at the very earliest.

Note, I'm not saying it won't work. ACDs are very smart & biddable dogs and with proper training, can be terrific farm dogs. It's just a reminder not to set your dog up for failure (IOW, don't do something like leave a adolescent ACD alone & loose for the day with a dozen chickens).

 

[aBRG2far]

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Thats what I've always heard to break a dog from killing chickens.

 

[2boxers]

I wasn't jumping on JJ, and if it was percieved that way then I am truly sorry. It was not my intention at all! I used to be one of those people who would hit my dogs. I've learned better and consequently, I have better dogs as a result. (Though when we had a biting problem with my current boxer, I did bite her. Boxer does not taste so good!)

JessieJames, I hope you can resolve your problem. I tend to agree with what Jammo said, though. Once the dog knows that chickens are yummy food, your chickens will be in danger from that dog. I'm sorry.
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Oh man, I am so with you on that! Yuck!

 

[AmyRey]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with advising a dog owner simply supervise their animals when they're around chickens. He asked for suggestions and this, in my opinion, will work 100x better than "kicking the crap" out of the dog in a bag, tying a decaying carcass around its neck or putting it in a barrel and rolling it down a hill. (I honestly read these things and think that they can't possibly be things that people have actually done.) Again, I know I'm new here, but if these things are being condoned, then I'm probably not at all a good fit for this forum.

Call me a softy but even when I fuss at our girl and she rolls over onto her back in fear (just from my harsh tone of voice), it breaks my heart. I can't even imagine doing any of these other things.

In my opinion, anyone who feels as though they need to resort to such drastic measusres to train their dog from pursuing chickens should probably just find the dog another home.

 

[HennysMom]

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Not true... sorry. Dogs can be rehabilitated. Again, its up to the owner to watch their dog. If you have chickens first and then get a dog - its your job to watch the dog and teach it. If you have a dog first and then get chickens - same thing applies - you teach - you dont hit, beat or..as you suggest... kill the dog because the owner is too lazy to train it. Another suggestion would be dont get a breed that tends to favor birds - i.,e. a hunting breed.

Bottom line is whether it is a dog, coon, owl, cat, skunk, whatever... chickens are going to get hunted if you have them, they are prey to certain predators and it is our duty to protect our animals from any prey. Protect means ensuring they are properly housed, secure, and tended to - for some, it does mean shoot to kill, yes, but... that should be a last resort, always - after all else has failed. You wouldnt get a horse and not fence it in right? Noooo.... no moreso than you would a cow, goat or a pig. You'd tend to it, ensuring it was properly housed - same goes for a chicken (or a dog... leash laws, fencing...ect). How many people on here have lost chickens due to someones neighbor letting their dog run free? Its not your fault your chicken died if your chicken was in your yard and the dog got it - however, it becomes equal fault if your chicken was wandering about off your property and the neighbors dog got it because you werent responsible for housing your chicken nomoreso than the neighbor was for housing their dog.

In the end, it still all comes down to the owners responsibility. How they do it - is totally up to them, but when you ask for opinions on a public forum on what to do and then list about "beating your dog in a bag with a chicken" - that is going to ruffle some feathers no matter what, sorry.

JesseJames - I'm sure you'll find your pup will learn not to bother the birds once you teach him they are not play/chew toys - just remember it takes time and perserverance, but it can happen if you take the time. Are there some dogs that will continue to attack no matter what? Absolutely - yep. But right now - you are at an optimal age for teaching - yours is a pup so...teach him/her the rights and wrongs, just like you would if you had a baby with your dog - no biting, no chasing, etc. He/she will obey their master, trust me

Hugs to ya!

 

[rebecca100]

There is a chance even though slim that since it is a puppy that it will out grow killing chickens. I keep my ex-killers on a chain around the ckickens until the are used to them being all around them. That is for adults though, but it may work with a puppy once it's not excited by the chickens it's not as likely it will get one. If it still tries after a month while on the chain then it probably is a lost cause.

 

[rebecca100]

Also, I think that having your dog kill a chicken in your yard is not the sign of an irresponsible owner. Accidents happen and I think if everyone here admitted to their mistakes there would be much worse that has happened. I have lost several chickens to my own dogs and looked for a way to solve the problem. And that was the best I could find. This is embarrassing but I once had my son's beagle wipe out 3 of my chickens because she had never hurt them before and I chained her in the corner of the pen because i had a possum getting in some unknown way. I think stupid crap like that happens to everyone. Not just with dogs-incubators, chicks, there is a whole list of ways to accidently kill a chicken. You just feel bad about it, learn from your mistake do your best to fix it and go on. No one here is a perfect owner of anything, it is impossible! How do you get to be wise? Ask questions and learn from mistakes.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

First off, you can't tell me that my dog is not capable of felling guilt.

Secondly, I have gotten two dogs to stop killing chickens. Both were more than a year old at the time we got them. A puppy that would attack our ducks three times it's size was never able to be trained to leave them alone. That was a Belgian Malinois female.

Third, I guess this site is no different than any other blog. There are a lot of people that feel they are the reason the earth spins. If I want to feed live chickens to my dog, or put a shock collar on a dog, or beat him in a bag with a chicken, or give my bed over to my baby chicks, that's just the way it is. Your ancestors most likely did things that would make your blood curdle, and you know what, that's how you got here. Offering alternatives is wonderful, but jumping all over someone is unnecessary and just pompous.

 

[horsejody]

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The best dog around poultry is one that seems to completely ignore them. Herding can lead to chasing and nipping. Of course chasing and nipping leads to chickens running and squawking. Running and squawking leads the dog to thinking they are great squeaky toys to grab and shake. It would be better to encourage the dog to ignore them. The dog will still learn they are "part of the scenery" and protect them, but they won't mess with them.

 

[Cheery Cluck]

Hi peeps... listen...we can be better then this. We're all kind people who are above harmful practices with our animals. JJ, your dog knows that you love him and your chickens know that you'll take care of them. You have a duty to both, and might I say you are doing great. You show respect to your animals and in turn they will learn to show respect to you. Best of luck!