OK, Sandy killed another chicken. She's been tied up outside for about a week - chicken was tied about her neck and she managed to eat a bunch of it. It's time to bring my dog back inside - what do I do next? I know that she needs a bath - big time. How do I treat her? Does she get love and cuddles and I missed you? (I haven't spoken her name or even looked at her for most of the time she's been outside) I feel like the cruelest person on earth. I love my dog and I love my chickens. I can't shoot Sandy - whick many local farmers have suggested that I do. There is nowhere for her to go. I have to make this work Thank you kindly for your feedback. Karen
so, I don't think I understand you post fully.... Sandy is your dog, who kills your chickens? She was tied up and still killed a chicken? Do you have to tie her up on the yard? can't bring the dog in the house and take her out on a leash? Teach your dog a command to "leave it" (practice with a piece of meat or something) and only let her off leash if she can behave around the chickens on a leash and only if you are present. I guess it would depend on the dog though. Mine does great with the chickens, but she is pretty relaxed and very well behaved off leash. Good luck, I hope others have better advice than I and love your dog, even if she is killing the chickens, it's an instinct not really bad behavior in her eyes. Please bring her inside and love her until you can figure out how to train her that it is wrong to eat the live chickens
Sandy, is my dog. She has killed 5 chickens to date. She has the freedom to run inside a large fenced in area - that also contains our large chicken pen - no other choice.. I looked online for solutions for her instinctual behaviour and most people wrote about tieing her up outside - dead chicken securely tied around her neck - and to have as little contact with her as possible for about a week. I didn't see anything about what to do at the end of the week - other than giving the dog a bath. I will put her on a leash and take her into the chicken pen and work with her to try to get rid of the instinct to kill the girls. Just need to know how to treat Sandy now - at the end of the week outside - before and after her bath..... so that I don't undo whatever has been done/learned?
Unless Sandy is caught in the act and punished at that time, punishment is not effective. Punishment done after the fact makes no sense to the dog - what they see is just punishment and it can have the adverse effect of making the dog fearful of you. Definitely love her and treat her well. When you are outside with her and see her preparing to chase a chicken, tell her to "leave it", and get her to sit and look at YOU. You can reinforce with a treat and tell her she's good. By getting her to focus back on you with positive reinforcement will make your commands to her more effective over time. When she starts to get focused/prepared to chase again, repeat. Consistency and repetition is key. It is very hard to break a dog of high prey drive. It truly is not the dog's fault - they are wired that way, some much more than others. Even more curious is the high-drive dogs who will not chase or bother indoor cats (the dogs have learned the house rules) yet any cat seen outside is fair game. Those instincts go deep. Be fair and patient with Sandy - she sounds like a nice dog who ultimately would like to please you. Good luck!
Thank you so very much for your help. I didn't understand how tieing a dead chicken around the dog's neck would help - I at least know not to punish if I don't catch them in the act. However, it was the only "advice" I could find. Sandy is a wonderful little dog... mostly Red Healer ... who actually listens to me and comes when she's called. She always "follows" birds flying overhead with a great deal of interest and excitement. I will take Sandy into the chicken pen - on a lead - and work with her. Her instinct was to try to kill the baby kittens we'd rescue, as well. She now plays with them and doesn't (often) hurt them. She's a very intelligent dog and I know that she can/does learn. Again, thanks and hugs Karen
Sure way to break one, know alot may think its cruel. Shock collars, let her get near the chick ,then shock her. After a few times she will think when she get near a chicken, the chicken will hurt her. I had a GS when he was a pup, he went after a chick, but mother was a gamehen with spurs. The gamehen attack him in the face, same thing the 2nd time. After he grew up he still respect the chicken even let them eat his food.
I hope everything works out with your dog. If my chickens get out of their pen, my GSD---who is loose outside all the time----will kill them. The chickens have pretty much learned not to fly out of their pen. I did not punish my dog in any way, but if I catch her chasing a chicken that got out, she is a good enough girl that calling her and telling her "No" will stop her in her tracks. Good luck with your girl.
Quote:Yes dogs only understand you are punishing them for what they are doing at that time. One thing drive me crazy is when a person whos dog run away ,calling them back then punish them. Dog just got punish for coming to them. Not for running away. Oh think the chicken around the neck,is just a old wives tell, if not why use sometime that takes weeks, when most could be train in a few days.
Have you tried craigslist to re-home her? I see that you love your dog. I am only asking. I'm not sure that I would be able to do that myself. Another idea is to build her her own kennel. One away from the chickens and completely inclosed. I know that might get expensive too. I found my kennel pieces at rummage sales or from friends. Our kennel is 40x40 now. Brand new can run into the hundreds or even thousands. Also try craigslist for that. Or even your local newspaper. Good luck.
