Training a puppy to guard chickens

[rvr350]

We brought home an Anatolian puppy and hoping he will be able to protect our flock of chickens from coyo. He was born in a farm, and learned from his parents, both livestock guardian dogs as well.

He has been very calm around chickens and we brought him into the pen where we raise the young chickies and he was very relaxed. We also do leash training and basic recall training. We let him off leash during the day with all our free ranging chickens and he did superbly well for a week or so. But today we found him nipping at a hen’s tail and broke skin. He didn’t seem overly excited but we are trying to formulate a plan forward to train him better with chickens. Any advice is appreciated

 

[cavemanrich]

Let me offer an opinion. BTW, never had LGD's
I think you are doing well ,,,,,training him to be around chickens. When you see him doing something inappropriate, scold him with a loud NO NO, No.
He will get idea that did something wrong.
When he is gentle among the hens, reassure him with a fine pat.
Remember that, the way he protects the chicken flock,, is to drive the predator away.
Beautiful dog BTW.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Anon112]

The people at Deer Run Farm have dogs who protect their chickens, and at one point it was in their newsletter how they trained them. You might reach out to them or search on their website.

My memory is that they had the dogs on a tether so that they could not physically reach the hens.