Surviving Minnesota!

[eastbethel]

He's a border collie/aussie mix. Super duper smart, but I just cannot channel that intense smartness to do what I want, yet. I would rather he want eggs instead of the chicken. LOL! But I know what you mean. We have chickens for their precious eggs and I do love finding them.

 

[holm25]

I would put a shock collar on the dog. It may seem cruel but it will save lots of heartache. Every time he goes for one give him a zap. Thats what we did and the dogs live in harmony with them now.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Chickens are very easily trained. With food reward.

East bethel put in dog training in the search bar. You'll need to put in the work to find what method works for you. I think I've touched on that topic more than once training a dog to chickens. Seperation. Consistency. Leasing. Firm non excitable commands. Handling and closeness to the birds in non excited " birdie" state. Research research research. Time with the dog. That's the hardest part. And not many people want to invest in the time.

Jerry how disheartening to have that crap happen. Our kindergarten hatch is down to 10 eggs out of 24. These were picked up at the breeder. Gently carried to and fro cars. And still stuff happens. Ugh people. I'm learning as well...about all that can go wrong but some people have no understanding. Cold and misting up here today.

 

[Siggie]

He's a border collie/aussie mix. Super duper smart, but I just cannot channel that intense smartness to do what I want, yet. I would rather he want eggs instead of the chicken. LOL! But I know what you mean. We have chickens for their precious eggs and I do love finding them.

I agree with Holm25 - shock collar , I also have a border collie and 2 Aussies so I feel your pain!! I am also going to be doing the shock collar thing because I am afraid mine will go after the chickens because they go into the horse pasture, bark like crazy, chase and pull on the horses tails!! We can feel bad (not real bad though) together about putting the collars on them! It's for their own good, mine especially because they are going to get kicked one day and I will have to decide whether to spend the money on the vet or a bullet! (

ok, not really....it would be the vet, but I wouldn't be happy about it)

 

[duluthralphie]

I agree with Holm25 - shock collar , I also have a border collie and 2 Aussies so I feel your pain!! I am also going to be doing the shock collar thing because I am afraid mine will go after the chickens because they go into the horse pasture, bark like crazy, chase and pull on the horses tails!! We can feel bad (not real bad though) together about putting the collars on them! It's for their own good, mine especially because they are going to get kicked one day and I will have to decide whether to spend the money on the vet or a bullet! (

ok, not really....it would be the vet, but I wouldn't be happy about it)

I am still betting you really have saddle broke moose!

The dogs must really have to jump to get the moose tails..

 

[eastbethel]

I agree with Holm25 - shock collar , I also have a border collie and 2 Aussies so I feel your pain!! I am also going to be doing the shock collar thing because I am afraid mine will go after the chickens because they go into the horse pasture, bark like crazy, chase and pull on the horses tails!! We can feel bad (not real bad though) together about putting the collars on them! It's for their own good, mine especially because they are going to get kicked one day and I will have to decide whether to spend the money on the vet or a bullet! (

ok, not really....it would be the vet, but I wouldn't be happy about it)

My husband is thinking the same. I'll continue working with him, but I would have thought the past 7 weeks we've had him with the chickens he would show less interest, but it seems to have increased as he has gotten older! Shock collar will be coming in the near future I suppose.

 

[eastbethel]

Chickens are very easily trained. With food reward.

East bethel put in dog training in the search bar. You'll need to put in the work to find what method works for you. I think I've touched on that topic more than once training a dog to chickens. Seperation. Consistency. Leasing. Firm non excitable commands. Handling and closeness to the birds in non excited " birdie" state. Research research research. Time with the dog. That's the hardest part. And not many people want to invest in the time.

Jerry how disheartening to have that crap happen. Our kindergarten hatch is down to 10 eggs out of 24. These were picked up at the breeder. Gently carried to and fro cars. And still stuff happens. Ugh people. I'm learning as well...about all that can go wrong but some people have no understanding. Cold and misting up here today.

Thanks for the feedback. Just spent another two hours with him to make him less excitable with the chickens.

 

[Siggie]

I am still betting you really have saddle broke moose!

The dogs must really have to jump to get the moose tails..

after 10 years, I'm still waiting for them to grow their antlers.......

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Eastbethel. I have a labrador I've trained just recently. It was relatively easy with her. But she is a labrador, albeit challenging in other ways. Training dogs to do something they don't wish to do is exhaustive and frustrating when there are days with set backs. But you having the upperhand. (Leashing) and using calm assertive energy. is the key. I think that breed of dog needs a job. So one of those weight vests or a yard full of obstacle course training....whatever. I would exercise that dog first before I do any chicken training so it is in the right mind space for learning. Then you sit down with your calmest chicken and let the dog look at it. But it cannot be in an excited state around it or it gets a swat on the nose in a low stern voice reprimand. "Mine. Leave it." Then remove the dog from the bird. Come back in an hour later. If nervously licking or not able to redirect it's behavior. Remove again. Low stern commands.

 

[holm25]

The Marsh Marigolds are everywhere here!
A Snipe hiding on a Muskrat dam.
First Leopard frog I have seen this year.