Rat Terrier that wants to hurt chickens

[Ceakmama]

I have a 15lb rat terrier. I know this breed is a natural hunter of small animals (rat is part of the name!). We've had him for 5 years already, so he's family. We've had chicks for about a month now. We got the chicks when they were 4 weeks old and my dog killed one on the first day! It was an accident that he was even near them, because he wasn't supposed to be. They are in the coop and run now, so they are much safer! My dog has a wireless boundary collar and his boundary line is about 10 feet away from the coop and run. He's been sitting at the boundary line, shaking and staring at the chickens. He wants to attack them, but he can't get close enough (and they're safe in the enclosed run). I'm hoping they'll be able to defend themselves against him when they're full grown. Is there any hope for my dog to accept the chickens? Or is his breed anti chicken forever? Is there anything I can do to help with it?

 

[sourland]

Given the nature of the breed, I doubt that he will ever be safe around the chickens. To hunt and kill is in his DNA.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You'll have to keep them all seperate. He'll kill the birds and they will be defenseless against him

 

[Ceakmama]

You'll have to keep them all seperate. He'll kill the birds and they will be defenseless against him

Yeah, separate is the plan so far. We were hoping to let them free range a little when they're full grown. I don't think it's going to happen unless I keep the dog locked in the house during that time. I know it's in his nature to want to hunt small animals, so I can't be mad at him for disliking the chickens. I wish it were different though!

 

[cassie]

To him chasing and killing the chickens would be the most fun he could ever have. No he is not safe around chickens or small animals, and no, he will never be safe around chickens and small animals. He doesn't dislike the chickens. He likes them a whole lot. As prey.

 

[addctd2plnts]

I have a rescue Rat Terrier too! She wouldn't be safe around my ducks either. We just keep her inside when we have them out loose. If it's more than you at home, it might be safer to crate him as a sign you have chickens out to other family members. Really poultry is never safe out free ranging. Many dogs can't resist the flapping and will kill them. So, maybe it's a good thing they are in a run. You could build a chicken tractor if you want them to be on fresh grass. Then, buy electric netting fence that is easy to move. That's what we are doing for our ducks. That way I can move them every day, and they are still safe from aerial predators. I got my electric netting at Premier 1 Fencing.