Teaching dog not to kill birds?

[Verboten]

I would also like to second what rimshoes pointed out - punishment or reward should be immediate.

 

[phalenbeck]

Quote:
---This is where I let my alfa dog into the coop, under strict control (held, then sitting). Did this many times.

 

[griswolfy]

If I caught her in the act, believe me she would no she did wrong. Ill wait a bit before trying to train her not to kill them because she has 9, 3 week old puppies and she may be a little irritable.

 

[mlmadura]

I have a 19 month old lab who will just lay and watch my chicks if he's bored. I once saw him pull a baby mockingbird out of his water bucket and sit it on the ground in his pen - he then barked until we came and took it out. He's a great dog...

Now my 6 lb poodle...is a whole different story - I have not been able to acclimate him to ANYTHING!!!!! - Just when I think I have him trained and can trust him - He does something awful - he killed a baby chick - he killed our 20 lb rabbit!!!!etc.
I think either his instinct is just too strong or he is jealous and feels threatened by the other animals. ( My friends poodle is the same way)

 

[griswolfy]

One of my other dogs when we had chicks in the house he got in the room and knocked the chickens down and I found him in there with all the chicks slobbered on but none dead and he is a 150# german shepherd. Caught him in there again but he just laid down next to them looking at them.

 

[jlbpa]

.45acp and 12 gauge....... sorry but I've lost too many chickens and turkeys to roaming dogs.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Quote:
This is why it is so very important that you have a trained dog that will actually protect your flock. A smart dog will know that the flock is both and extention of his master and a fellow animal to take under control and protect. You will never get a dog to become less than alpha with the birds, but you can train them that they need to pay attention and protect, just as a good, smart dog would do for you.

When you punish a dog and then show them you love them without remorse, they gain a respect that is not seen with any other animal. Dogs will love you even if you treat them like a red headed step child. It is those times when they are beaten and then shown how to act or respond that some finally get the picture.

If you use positive reinforcement at every turn, you will get a confused and independent dog. A dog should know that YOU are his world, no one and nothing else. YOU are alpha and YOU WILL give harsh, yet a supporting punishment if they go down a wrong path. This is a proven pack mentallity in dogs. They should never be independent or ignore you at ANY time.

When you see a dog with its ears up, head up and looking for the next move you make, this is a good dog, you are his world.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

Our dog (border collie mix), liked to chase and catch our chickens. They would emerge wet and slightly chewed. The worst injury sustained was a bit of a bloody wing. We would stop her from doing it, but she didn't seem to really 'get it'. So anyway, eventually she popped one. I went out and she'd jumped the fence, and carried it out to play with it, and had killed it. I freaked out, and screamed and screamed, and threw some sandbox toys at her. She hasn't bitten anyone since (4 months) and doesn't chew or chase them anymore, although occasionally she lays down on our buff orp... which is weird...

 

[griswolfy]

I tried it and she doesn't kill them, at first she wanted to run around them and now she doesn't even care shes a great protection dog like I said haven't lost a bird since we had her.

 

[hollyk]

Several have pointed out that good training is key, but you can't fully be sure a chicken attack won't happen. Even if the "attack" started as just having fun. My chickens free-range with my lab and spaniel who are trained bird dogs for hunting. We swatted their noses when they came to check out the chickens and said "NO" They are smart dogs and know the difference between the birds we hunt and the farm animals. I do keep a watchful eye on th e dogs.

I have been told by some old timers- if your dog does kill a chicken, tie the dead bird around the dogs neck and let it get nasty. They will never kill again. I will try this if we ever have a slip from the dogs.

I will also never have ducks- this would just be too confusing for a hunting dog.