Ugh, dog has got to go...

[SpottedCrow]

yeah...You still did a good thing...

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Omgosh, Spotted your dreamcatchers and things are gorgeous! I just might have to buy something sometime!!!
I love the terra cotta pendants!
And the Backyard Chickens dreamcatcher! So cute

And you're not that far from me either...

 

[WisconsinChick]

Shock collars ARE cruel to use on a barking dog because the reason they bark is because they are bored and need excercize to tire them out. I do think its ok to use it in a time like you described-when chasing your chickens. It gets the job done quickly.

 

[hwerner]

Quote:
Thank you, when I first posted about our training using a shock collar, I think I neglected to mention that we ONLY use it for bad behavior. Keep in mind the dog using it on is an almost 5 month saint Bernard weighing in at 65 pounds. We use it to detour her from my free ranging flock, jumping on people, and for playing to rough with our oldest daughter's miniature pinscher who weighs 4 pounds. I used to think this was cruel to animals; but vet said to try it out for training. Dogs the size of Roxie need good training or they can turn into overgrown terrors. We didn't try out the collar until a few days ago after losing a few chickens to her, and her almost killing the min-pin due to playing to rough. I am a responsible pet owner, and only want to train for bad behaviors, and barking is not a bad behavior as you stated. All in all, I'm just saying that if used correctly and for the correct reasons a shock collar as training method is not harmful or bad to an animal.

 

[FarmGirl01]

I would just like to say something. I have a very nice assortment of animals. I treat my animals very well and everyone is doing great. The best thing I have going for me is the fact I don't have any dogs. I lost my beagle a few years ago. Even though I miss her greatly it has been so nice not to worry about my own dog killing or harrasing my animals. Wouldn't it be nice to have a way to easily fix the dog problem. Just wishful thinking , I know. I have considered getting a LGD. Soon I will join the ranks of the puppy stage. Its just not easy to keep them from hurting the chickens. Maybe someone will come up with a way to easily handle the problem. Good luck to all. And to the puppy owners, its got to get better.

 

[rooster0209]

Quote:
Thank you, when I first posted about our training using a shock collar, I think I neglected to mention that we ONLY use it for bad behavior. Keep in mind the dog using it on is an almost 5 month saint Bernard weighing in at 65 pounds. We use it to detour her from my free ranging flock, jumping on people, and for playing to rough with our oldest daughter's miniature pinscher who weighs 4 pounds. I used to think this was cruel to animals; but vet said to try it out for training. Dogs the size of Roxie need good training or they can turn into overgrown terrors. We didn't try out the collar until a few days ago after losing a few chickens to her, and her almost killing the min-pin due to playing to rough. I am a responsible pet owner, and only want to train for bad behaviors, and barking is not a bad behavior as you stated. All in all, I'm just saying that if used correctly and for the correct reasons a shock collar as training method is not harmful or bad to an animal.

Exactly. I only use mine when the dog is outside when I am taking care of the chickens. He has not learned to completely leave them alone. I used the shock once when he chased the guineas off. He no longer chases them. Now I just use the warning beep to get his attention and to leave the chickens alone. I have not had to shock him again. He does not wear the collar unless I am working with the chickens and he is outside

I would never use a barking collar. Barking is what dogs do.

 

[SterlingAcres]

Even if you're rehoming her, you still did a great thing by saving her. We're looking into a radio collar for our pup. She just roams and roams and roams... not safe.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I'm glad someone said this... I had been thinking it but forgot to type it out when I was making my replies...

I have two other dogs, a 6 year old black lab who is my retired service dog, he is the best dog you could ever ask for, loves every single living thing, has never gone after anything, he rounds up my birds for the night when they have been out ranging.
I love Reese to death and I feel like I'd be lost without him riding in the back of my tractor cart or snoring on the cold stone hearth. I literally have never had a complaint about this dog, he was a dream to train, housebreak, never ate things he wasn't supposed to, etc.
Then I have Gryffin, my 8 month old bronze Newfoundland. He's gorgeous and my plans for him include are showing and breeding as well as taking over for Reese as my service dog (I'm disabled) but it will be a loooong time before he's of any use to me. He's in the heavy throes of puppyhood and all awkawrd and long and lanky lol He trips over his own feet, chases his tail, and barks at his own reflection. Cute kid, just not so bright

It'll get better with age I'm sure.
When Reese was younger he used to get the "zooms" whenever he got excited and would literally take out a coffee table with his tail. But once he hit 3-4 he started to calm down considerably. It was like I woke up one morning to a different dog.

 

[hensonly]

Quote:
I know those Newfie puppy-uglies well! I've had Newfs for the past 15 years. I love them dearly, bet there is that stage when you want to put a bag over their entire body before you take them out in public! But he'll make a fantastic service dog! The very very best of luck!