Training Dog - Progress

[srutan23]

We have progress! My 2 year old Olde English Bulldogge killed 2 birds in the first week we had them. I was devastated because (1) So excited about the new chickens (2) Absolutely love my dog. Didn't want to have to decide between the two. Well husband said that his uncle would beat the dog with the dead chicken. I was appalled by even the thought of that. But I was willing to try it. I couldn't do it myself so husband did it. This was about a month ago. Dog has been around the chickens with me outside with him and is monitored everytime I let him out. I've become a freak about keeping tabs on the dog. Today, my aunt came to my house to clean and said that my dog was outside when she got there. She called me at work. Apparently the latch on his cage opened up. Immediate panic set in and I asked her to go to the coop to check on the chickens. We replaced the 2 dead with 7 babies (yes, chicken math) who are only 2 1/2 months old and have 4 hens and rooster. All was good, so apparently the dead chicken beating worked on some level. I still wont ever trust my dog 100% with the chickens but it is progress.

This was from the other day when I was soo proud of him. Bulldogs are a tad stubborn at times.

 

[klohman]

My dogs looove to chase our birds, and have done a bit of damage (minimal) once or twice. If the birds are new to your house, I know it isn't easy, but just let the dogs get used to them. The more they are around them, they won't mess with them as much. Mine still chase them, but it is all fun and games to them. We also have an inground fence, and we ran it around the chicken coop. So even though they all cohabitate when they free range, the chickens know where they can go to be safe. I would make sure there is a way your chickens can get away and into the coop that the dog can't follow.

 

[srutan23]

An underground fence is a good idea. That way both can have access to the 2 acres but chickens can have a safe place. Makes sense. Thank you.

 

[klohman]

If you are interested, we used Innotek to purchase ours. We live on a little less than 2 acres and it costs us only $200-300 to install and purchase everything. I was expecting a lot more. And once it is in, you are worry free!

 

[TalkALittle]

I have an honest question. How does your dog act towards your husband since the beating? My worry is that the dog would be more likely to associate the beating with your husband than with what it had done to the birds.

 

[nzpouter]

.... a beating is just that, a beating... What training have you given it prior to introduction?

 

[DesertBrahma]

The only thing a beating does is hurt your dog. Plus the dog doesn't understand why it's being beaten. Please don't beat your dog. He was doing what was natural. He saw prey acting like prey. He's a predator acting like a predator. I have a hunting dog around my 7 wk old chicks with no problems because I socialized him with my chicks. He understands they are part of the family because I showed him the right way to behave around them. Would I trust him to be around them without me there? No because I know what he is. Yes this is going to be a life long lesson for him and them.

 

[centrarchid]

The only thing a beating does is hurt your dog. Plus the dog doesn't understand why it's being beaten. Please don't beat your dog. He was doing what was natural. He saw prey acting like prey. He's a predator acting like a predator. I have a hunting dog around my 7 wk old chicks with no problems because I socialized him with my chicks. He understands they are part of the family because I showed him the right way to behave around them. Would I trust him to be around them without me there? No because I know what he is. Yes this is going to be a life long lesson for him and them.

Drop the "what he is". I trust fully my dogs (German Pointers) without supervision all day with chicks and flock (most free-ranging now with dogs). If your "what they are" comment was accurate such would not be possible. Otherwise you are correct.

 

[srutan23]

I was just happy that we have made progress when I thought all hope was lost and wanted to share it with the community or anyone that may have almost given up hope. I won't be debating methods and opinions.

 

[DesertBrahma]

Would you be opposed to putting an electric fence around your chicken coop? I know from personal experience they work for keeping coyotes and assuming dogs out of my front yard, and away from my children. The coyotes around here are vicious during the dry summer, and cold winter. I had one come up to my front yard while I was outside with my young children. He didn't leave here alive. I was so scared for my babies I almost peed my pants. I now make sure it's on before I take my boys outside to play. I would rather deter a potential predator, than kill it.