puppy spurred!

[ozark hen]

We managed to received a three week old great pyr-mixed puppy a couple weeks back, mother dog abandoned the litter...anyway, I have been needing a dog to protect the flock and little house dogs as we are loaded with predators here.
I have been keeping the puppy in the coop inside a cage at night so he would get used to the chickens and they him. I keep him loose with the chickens as they free-range if I am with him during the daytime. He is now five weeks old and very rambunctuous (sp). Today he started grabbing some feathers to try to get them to play with him. I allowed it to happen as long as no blood was drawn...the chickens just jumped up away from him until he started harrassing my standard blue cochin rooster. At first, the roo threatened and then ran away but finally the puppy decided this roo was fun to play with and really started jumping at the roo. Finally, the roo spurred him enough to make the puppy, named Hagrid, yelp and run away to pout. I was so afraid the puppy or roo would get hurt but it turned out just as I had hoped it would. I am sure we may have some more encounters until Hagrid understands they are a force to be reckoned with and not play with them. I have gone through four dogs (I got them full grown)who just would not take care of the chickens but think they were "carry-out". Thankfully, I found them good homes and no chickens were lost. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Hagrid will grow up protecting them. When he is older I will let him sleep in the coop without being caged.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

good luck with your pup i believe after getting spurred he learned its lesson

 

[silkiechicken]

I know nothing about dogs but aren't you supposed to discourage them giving the birds attention like that if you want them to protect them? Like a hard disciplined watch but no play type of way?

 

[ozark hen]

could be but I am doing this as recommended to me since the other way didn't work. this is how he learned not to mess with the cats, etc. it is only common sense here. I will let you know if it works or not. see, some dogs are raised with the animals they are to protect and have no human contact what so ever. they learn from the school of hard knocks.

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Sounds like the school I'd be putting my animals though! Good luck with your pup!

 

[ozark hen]

THANKS, SILKIE

 

[justusnak]

ozark.....IMO...thats the BEST way for that puppy to learn. If he has to waite for you to correct him every time...he will just try behind your back! If he KNOWS that mean old roo wont take his crap...he will learn faster! LOL Sounds like your training methods are working out just fine! I do hope the pup is ok tho! LOL

 

[SpottedCrow]

Slifer, my crowing Brahma mix hen, spurred and bit the neighbour's cat that was going after Obelisk...cat hasn't come back in the yard since and it's been a year or so now.
They'll learn not to mess with the roo.

 

[ozark hen]

thanks you guys, I figured this has to be the best way. I want to keep this dog forever!! But I won't if he kills one single chicken. My sister kept telling me that I needed to start with a puppy and to keep him in with the chickens at night but safely in a cage. His being 3 weeks old at the time was an asset as the only "good" working sense of his was his nose. Now he is able to focus and can learn from the earliest time possible. He is going to be a big boy so I needed to start his chicken training fast! I hope the roo continues to "correct" him without anyone getting really hurt. I appreciate the support from all. Here is a photo of him with the poultry and kittens this morning.

 

[skeeter9]

What a cutie!! With his breeding he'll probably be a great protector for your chickens. Good luck with your training. I hope it works out for you!!

Lori