[Kayos and Havoc]

Not my dogs!! A work mate has a lab that is killing his chickens and would like it to stop. Dog in question is a pup and it is his daughter's pup and I doubt it is well supervised.

I guess the chickens free roam and the dog has access to them. So I told him to contain the dog away from the chickens and correct the dog whenever it shows interest in them.

Also suggested the chickens be kept in a secure coop that can be moved on the property.

But other than that I have never dealt with this before and really have no solutions.

Any ideas?

 

[lmkersnick]

This was on one of the "dog whisperer" episodes, when the dog in question was owned by the guy that wrote "marley and me"...
If I remember correctly, the solution was pretty much what you suggested, contain the chickens, train the dog to leave them alone

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Thanks!! I have Cesar's second book and he describes this too. I plan on re-reading that section tonight. I am at work and the guy just asked the question a bit ago.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I can never fathom these problems!

If the dog can't access the chickens, they can't kill them. So unless they are outside and supervised, trained with a good, positive leave it, or on a lead/line, they aren't near the chickens.

A crate or kennel not an option? I see you have suggested that.

They can also give the dog positives for ignoring the chickens while the dog is under control.

That would be like me leaving my all dogs uncrated when I leave the house then being all befuddled that they killed one of my cats or each other. They. Are. Animals!

Kathy-sorry-I got a little ranty there.

 

[big_dog7777]

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAAN They. Are. Animals!

Kathy-sorry-I got a little ranty there.

How dare you for using common sense!!!

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Sorry. I will try to keep it to a minimum.

And believe me, I call my dogs babies, treat them like little furry kids, (bet you all guessed that!) but the whole time, my logical brain is doing the other stuff-providing structure, limits and setting them up for behavioral success. I have found I can do all the kissy kissy stuff as long as I maintain a high level of control.

Not to say that sometimes they don't take over just from sheer numbers...little guerillas! Never the GSDs though-it's the

therapy dogs!

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAANSorry. I will try to keep it to a minimum.

And believe me, I call my dogs babies, treat them like little furry kids, (bet you all guessed that!) but the whole time, my logical brain is doing the other stuff-providing structure, limits and setting them up for behavioral success. I have found I can do all the kissy kissy stuff as long as I maintain a high level of control.

Not to say that sometimes they don't take over just from sheer numbers...little guerillas! Never the GSDs though-it's the

therapy dogs!

You can rant all you want........ as far as I am concerned you are right. I mean- this is a dog and a lab and the chicken is a bird. I think there might be something about labs and birds???

Honestly I think this is a management issue. I also know positive reinforcemtn would be lost on this guy which is why I suggested managing and supervising and then correcting.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Labs.
Birds.

Hmmm...something IS ringing a bell with that.

Thanks, Kathy. Before I decided to adopt Mariele someone with chickens contacted me-she wanted Mariele to be out and good with chickens without doing anything. I told her that Mariele would love chickens-to eat-she's probably part Finnish Spitz which I had on her profile, also a bird dog! Then again, Mariele seems upset by dead things, so maybe not.

 

[valb]

You know, "back in the day" the cure for chicken killers was to
tie a dead chicken around the dog's neck and leave it there
for WEEKS. Smelled to high heaven, but worked.

This is just an aside, I'm not suggesting anybody do it!

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Ummmmmmmm actually this guy already tried that. It did not work.

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: valbYou know, "back in the day" the cure for chicken killers was to
tie a dead chicken around the dog's neck and leave it there
for WEEKS. Smelled to high heaven, but worked.

I always thought this was funny. Everyone knows most dogs LOVE the smell of dead things!

 

[WiscTiger]

This might be of interest and maybe helpful.

Lou Castle has an Article on Crittering and eCollar.
http://www.loucastle.com/critter.htm

Note: not endorsing, just getting info.

Val

 

[dbailey]

my gsd 7mos. old killed one of our chickens also. We tried to correct her around them but she always showed too much of an interest (especially after she killed one) so we ended up having to build a coop for the chickens and keep them totally separate from the dogs.

 

[arycrest]

I've had a similar problem since moving here in 1995. First with Niki and then with his nephew Mac; both very effective chicken killers. The only difference in my situation is that the chickens trespass in my yard and my neighbor refuses to try to contain them.

I get extremely upset when one gets killed, it's a very gruesome death, but I don't know how to stop it unless I sit out back 24/7 watching for one to come into the yard. I check the back door before I let the dogs out the front door and still have chickens come over after I let them out (my neighbor has a Dobe and Aussie so the chickens think dogs are their best friends).

Good luck in resolving your problem though I personally think separating the two species is the only sure fire guarantee that the chickens will be safe.

 

[LouCastle]

I'm not a big fan of management except for using it to control the problem until training takes effect. Management always breaks down. We're only human and it's a matter of time until we slip up and leave a gate or a door open or the dog finds some weakness in the system.

Thanks Val for posting the link to my crittering protocol. It's never failed as long as the owner did his homework.

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

Good article! But I think turning this guy loose with an e-collar would be like really bad news for the dog. This guy took a dog (puppy)to the shelter for chewing a few years ago, ummmmm...... puppies chew....... He and I had some hard words over that and I am actually glad he asked my advice on this. i will show him the article tomorrow tho.