Touchy situation

[Quadog]

My sister is an adult. She lost her husband, her only son (15 y.o.) & now has lost her home due to loss of husbands income. Our parents have already passed on & I am her only living relative & I have no children , so it's just me , my wife & her. With that said, be sure to have more than the minimum coverage on your insurance policy. She has agreed to rehome the dog but I am sad to have to do that. I know she really wants to keep that dog. We are trying to get her back on her feet. There is a lawsuit pending but who knows when or what the outcome will be. I am trying to find a solution. For now I just don't let the dog out when the birds are out & vice versa. I am fencing an area for the chickens but I know they will get out on occasion. This is really a small problem looking at the bigger picture but this is the right place to get these kind of answers.

 

[Dar]

wow that kind of changes things... she is old enough to be responsible for the dog and keep it under control.

 

[JenEric Farms]

What a sad situation. I'm very sorry for her losses.

Have you thought about a dog run? It's very cheap and solves all problems listed...

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Is there a chance you could replace the dog with a breed that is known to be friendly with chickens? A puppy, new life..... How sad for your sister and for you losing your nephew

 

[goobhen]

The dog in my picture is Jake. Jake was a rescue, his previous owner dumped him beside the interstate, out in the country I have taught him to not attack or chase my chickens. Jake kills moles, chipmunks, whatever he can catch. In the picture, he is helping me watch over my 6 week old chicks. We had two hawks flying around that day. He loves me, so he obeys me. (he does like to eat their poop. ) I only have only one other dog that I trust to be around my chickens. I tell her to drop, she lays down, I know if she could, she would chase the chickens. While you are training the dog, can you make a mini dog run? You are doing a wonderful thing! God bless your family! Theresa

 

[onthespot]

if it was me and you didn't mind cutting a small hole in a wall somewhere, I would make the dog a small pen inside the home, with a doggy door leading to a very secure, predator proof outside area where he can do his business. The rule is she keeps the dog on a leash at all times, or in the pen. Period. She can sleep with him if she wants, but his leash must be tied to a bed leg or something. That should keep him out of trouble and still let her be connected to dogs. They say the loss of a dog that a person is very attached to can be almost as emotionally tough as the loss of a spouse. I would think about five times before asking her to re-home the dog. Just put the dog out of harms way. I wouldn't bother trying to teach it to be good around the chickens. Terriers are bred to kill stuff, period. That is their job and that is what they live for and they are good at it.

 

[Quadog]

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I agree but that's not the case. I feel sorry for her but she is very irresponsible. She has never been on her own & is kind of immature. I am trying real hard not to sound mean. Like this thread is titled. Touchy situation. I have to give her some time but she has to take control of her life.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
I agree but that's not the case. I feel sorry for her but she is very irresponsible. She has never been on her own & is kind of immature. I am trying real hard not to sound mean. Like this thread is titled. Touchy situation. I have to give her some time but she has to take control of her life.

sorry i did not mean to come off as brash... (please see disclaimer in my sig line).. maybe this is a good time to learn.. but move slowly.. start off by making sure the dog is leashed at all times... is this dog not house broken?.. if not thats #1

 

[Quadog]

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I have a 2 y.o. German Shepherd that I raised from a pup with chickens & he doesen't bother them. The Yorkie is 4 or 5 years old & I don't know if he will be able to be trained or not. I got on him pretty hard when he cornered one in the barn & was able to intervene in time to save the bird. Maybe he will learn to leave them alone.

 

[Quadog]

The dog is not as housebroke as you would think it would be considering it has lived inside at my sisters house.

He would be outside if it were completely up to me even if it is cold. He could snuggle up with my German Shepherd. My wife is too compassionate & I am up against her & sis on this.