She's killing them!!!!

[axion_lotus]

Also, another thing to understand about dogs, some breeds have a very high "prey instinct." They can't really help it, but they're natural-born hunters, and it can't be trained out of them. It's just in their genetic doggy makeup.

German Shepherds and Huskies (and most hunting dogs) are the worst possible breeds you could choose if you have livestock. I'm not saying they're not good, loving companions for humans, but you just can't trust them around other animals.

German Shepherds are very jealous dogs and will attack other dogs, and even attack horses and animals much bigger than they are. They're unpredictable; they can be just fine one minute and lunging for your horse's throat the next.

Huskies have a lot of wolf in them, they are very smart, and patient hunters, and will kill a cat in a heartbeat. They WILL wait when you're not watching to do it, too. It's sad, but true.

That, and German Shepherds have a stubborn streak and a mind of their own, and a lot pf people who own them get outsmarted by them all the time. They're not for everyone. They take an experienced and dedicated trainer to function in a household with other pets and animals, and they can never, ever be trusted around chickens. You can contain them in a kennel, but German Shephers are very strong, and can use their strength and large size to get out of any situation they don't want to be in (for example, if they don't want to be in a kennel, they can fix that.), if they're not very strictly trained. My mom's German Shepherd destroyed two of her windows on two different occasions to get out into the yard at her horse. He was jealous of the horse because she was paying attention to the horse at that moment, and not him. He was loyal to a fault, I suppose.

I'm not smack-talking these dogs at all, or dogs in general. I love dogs, but there are just some things about them that we can't stop, or prevent, or un-teach, and that's just how they are. A dog is a dog is a dog.

 

[dgaddis]

they'reHISchickens :

She is young and this might be one case where I'd be tempted to try the method of tying a dead chicken to her and making her drag it around until she hates it thoroughly. Make sure there is an immediate cause/effect though. You would have to catch her in the act and do it immediately.

This was my response also. The dog will hate (as will you) the smell and the effects of the chicken on it.​

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
My best chicken guarding dogs killed a couple chickens in their youth yet did great thereafter. She is going through the last part of her puppiness while she has near physical abilities of an adult dog. If you are to keep her penned, do not isolate her from flock. You may have to be consistently stern with her break killing habit. Several parties here have considerable experience with dogs and chickens and will can provide very sound advice. Those saying dogs not suitable are not speaking with sound experience. Do not to the chicken tied to dogs neck crap either.

 

[chkn]

I just learned with my sheps you just have to keep them seperated. They're great varmint dogs and keep the property clear BUT that includes chickens. So, maybe you pen her up while the chickens free range and vice versa.

 

[sab]

I put a shock collar on my 6 mo old goldendoodle. I tell ya - I held the thing and pushed the button - it wasn't bad. Certainly no worse than when I grab her by the nap of the neck and yank her back. So I let the chickens out with the dog who of course was just thrilled to see the birds run and she started after them.... PIZT... No more chasing birds. She just stopped in her tracks. I did the same thing with the Christmas tree - 1 time PIZT. On the lowest setting mind you. She stopped. Something about that didn't feel right to her so she stopped. I have since taken her out with the birds several times and each time, she hangs around them watching but doesn't bother them and I don't have to zap her. I praise her for behaving around the birds. Hunting stores like Cabella's has those collars and I've seen them at Lowes. I think the key is to use it very sparingly. When she hears 'no' - she doesn't know if a zap is coming. I rarely ever use it but when I do it effectively reinforces the 'no'. Over doing it would make them nuts - I am sure. And certainly not safe in the hands of a kid or angry person.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
It's as simple as that. We have two GSDs, trained to leave the chickens alone. Trained or not, the dogs are not left unsupervised around my chickens.

 

[allieloveschickens]

I agree with keeping the dog separate, or only having her in the yard under supervision, a shock collar would probably be a very useful training tool. I have a pit mix and he is good with the chickens, but I would still never leave him out with them unsupervised- you just never know. It is pretty funny to see him interacting with the girls though, he always wants to follow them around, and my smallest hen Dottie always chases him off and pecks his face! He know to avoid her that's for sure.
Good luck!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Shock collar, training, leash, separation and never leaving her with the birds. She is still a puppy, even at a year. It will take time for her to grow into the role you expect her to play in your "pack." As pack leader, you must make the rules clear and reinforce them on a consistant basis without emotion. Obviously you cannot have both the dog and the chickens loose at the same time. I would suggest that you put her on a leash whenever you are out with the chickens or begin training with a shock collar. A shock collar worked for my dog when I wanted him to stop wandering. He also learned to leave the chickens alone with consistant training use of the leave it command. I have never and would never leave him alone with them while they are freeranging because he is a dog (predator). Only you can decide if the time and effort are worth investing in your dog. If she is as good as you say she is, then you will eventually have a nicely trained dog when she matures.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

3 years of training, till mine are 3 years old I consider them puppies.. Even then some are NEVER to be trusted. She knows its wrong and has done it anyway, never ever trust her with them again. EVER or accept the losses ..

Good luck and love your pup anyways.
p.s we have a shock collar anyone ever shock themselves to see how it feels?.. LOL OWWWWWW

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Aggression is aggression. The target is not relevant. You dog is a danger to your children, your livestock, and those of your neighbors.

How you handle the risk is up to you and your comfort level between convenience and loss. Assess your risk appetite and take effective steps to constrain the risk level to your choice.

"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."