training tips on dogs and chickens..

[sunket77]

I have been watching training video after training video! I just have a couple of questions for you dog owners with chickens. Like what NOT to do with the dog. Like not to play fetch or tug of war, things like that that will not teach a dog chasing behaviors... but yet it will chase off predators???

 

[tackyrama]

One thing I can say for sure is NO squeeky toys! Sound too much like a chick. I had two young chickens killed last year by my 1 yr old dog. I believe it is folly to punish a dog for something you know he did but did not witness. All they know is they're getting punished but don't have the slightest idea what for. The second chick I caught him in the act. It was just a toy for him, tossing it in the air etc. By the time I chased him down the chick was dead. I grabbed a paint brush which was all I had time to grab in my dash after the dog. I scolded him severly and gave him a sound beating (not to severe cuz he's a small dog). He absolutely knew what the punishment was for. He has not bothered a chick or chicken since and my chickens free range and are intermingling around the dogs often during the day. My dogs will bark at the chickens if they think they are after their bone or something they are eating. That's all they do is bark although my older dog thinks it is great fun to run by the chickens full speed and hit them with his shoulder and send them flying! I guess it's his way of showing them whose boss. at any rate it's harmless and hilarious to watch.

Dogs CAN be trained to leave chickens alone. It's like any kind of dog training - Time and patience.

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

What type of dog do you have and how old is it? Is it showing any interest at all in the chickens right now?

 

[mamaKate]

Many dogs can be trained to be trustworthy with chickens. This is not always possible. I'm pretty basic with my animals. They learn early on that I'm in charge and "no" means "no." When I had to introduce adult dogs to little Banty chickens, I took them out on leash and firmly corrected any chasing behavior. Then, off leash , I still had to smack a switch on the ground to get my mini- beagle's attention. I have a rescued coonhound/ Rottweiler? that isn't even going to be trained. He will always be leashed around the chickens. His prey drive and level of excitement are so intense (he literally freezes and trembles) I'll never risk it. There are more severe methods of correction that I choose not to use--don't get me started on shock collars. What kind of dog do you have and how old is it?

 

[sunket77]

We just got her, she is a German Shepherd- collie mix she is 10 mo. old and we are still working on whos boss before we start on chickens

 

[sunket77]

We take Presley (formerly "sammy") out around the run while I feed and water them and hold them in front of her but she still gets very excited when they start running around. She also chased my cat for the first time the other day. Any tips on teaching not to chase? or is there any hope?? She is still a pup, perhaps with more persistent training she may calm down?