When to Introduce Puppies

[Serenity06]

A few days ago our believed to be American Pitbull Terrier mix had puppies by our Great Pyrenees. I was wondering at what age should I start introducing them to the chickens and goats so they'll be used to them when they're older. Our Pyrenees is wonderful with them now, but killed our ducks when he was younger. The Pitbull is okay as long as the chickens don't get out, but the goats hate her. Soooo, how can I teach the puppies or puppy to not chase the chickens from a young age? Any questions are welcome.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think you should start young and put them where they can get used to the sound and smell of them for a while each day. Eventually you could let them play where there's a fence between them and they get used to seeing them too.

As the pups get older you will see some ignoring the other animals and others will perhaps focus on them and can be identified as ones that will be more trouble. You could correct or redirect pups by noise but I wouldn't recommend it until older, after 8 weeks, as you don't want them developing any unreasonable fears, so mostly I would go the route of making them familiar with them so they aren't a big deal.

Puppies need to be exposed to many things before 8 weeks in a gentle non threatening way to make them better adults. Puppies not handled or exposed to children or things like the sound of a television will be more shy and harder to socialize later on. So expose them to many sights, sounds and smells for the best chances for them to develop into great dogs.

 

[Serenity06]

I'll start taking them around them once we get their vaccinations, as long as their mom is okay with it. I'll look for the ones who ignore them most and hopefully give the others to homes without chickens. Thanks for the advice.