I have a serious delima here. My Aussie Puppy(5months old) tries to kill my chickens everytime I free range them. I have just been keeping them in the pen, but am getting terrible egg quality. I have tried chaining the pup up, but she is going to kill herself trying to get out. (she is used to roaming the yard). She almost killed one of my Bantams yesterday. How do I stop this behavior? Or will she always be a killer? She also tries to attack my big goat and my baby goat. I know she is a herder and its instinct to herd, but is it normal for her to want to kill? She gets a crazy ook in her eye. Should I just get rid of her? Is there a training method that will deter this? My kids are very attached to her, but I am afraid this terrible behavior might be turned to the kids (they can sit on her, pull her hair take her food away, even her favorite bone), and she has never shown aggresion towards them. I have four acres and no fencing. Please help! We love this dog, but dont want a killer.
2007-06-05 02:53:42 · 7 answers · asked by KtBaby 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I just read the title and you are insane. That pup will drive herself mad trying to round up chickens. Remember an aussie is bred to herd. its innate her entire goal in life is to make sure everything is in an orderly and organized pattern and those chickens well its chickens she'll never get it done.
2007-06-05 03:11:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is natural in any dog - she has a VERY strong prey drive. If someone were to have bought her as a herding dog and to perform that duty they would have to relocate her. She is useless in that capacity due to her strong prey drive.
You can have your animals and this dog cohabitat it will just take some time, effor and patience on you and your families' part.
Look around your area for a dog training instructor who teaches hunt training. Redirect her natural instinct into something YOU can control. The commands she will be taught will teach her how to track and locate (usually a dummy or a toy - which is a game your kids can play with her) and will teach her stop, and down commands from a distance. It'll teach her to respect her bounderies and take directions when you're not right next to her.
Also it'll expell TONS of energy and help refocus her behavior onto this instead of your animals. It's highly effective and easy to teach. These dogs are natural learners and very smart.
Good Luck
2007-06-05 03:03:58 · answer #2 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have had the same problems in the past with our labrador retrievers but after a lot of hard work- our dogs leave chickens alone. The very best way to prevent almost 100% of agitating dog habits is to monitor them. Just like you wouldn't leave a four month old baby in a crib with your fine china, you don't want to give your pup a chance to get to the chickens. Would the baby want to break the plates? No, odds are good they were just moving or playing. We figured out that our puppies were simply trying to play with the chickens and didn't realize that playing too rough will kill them. Granted- I don't know how your mastiff plays, but odds are good he's not an aggressive chicken destroying dog. Dogs have many differences from breed to gender, etc but one thing that is fairly true of all dogs is that they want to please their masters. So watch your dog- and be sure to use an unhappy tone when you him no. You shouldn't be cruel- just not "sweet and sappy" either. Good luck!
2016-04-01 03:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by Rebecca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From your description she is exhibiting prey drive. And that's pretty common in younger dogs. It's normal. However, you're right. If she gets in the habit of preying on your livestock she will be a nuisance.
People often forget that dogs - just like children need to be trained in good manners. And we all know that untrained children are a real challenge to be around. Same is true for a dog - an untrained dog is a nuisance - and even dangerous. Yet, we spend time training our children to behave in society, but expect dogs to just 'know" how to behave properly. Well, unless trained, a dog is going to act like his ancestors and prey on your livestock - or the neighbor's cats - unless carefully trained.
The answer is obedience training. I cannot stress this enough. I recommend a series of courses in obedience. This will require hours of training and drills but is well worth it. Speak with your vet about a good trainer - especially one who specializes in herding dogs.
I believe that once your dog is trained in obedience and has a reliable "leave it" command under her paws, she will be fine around the livestock. Until then, however, she shouldn't be allowed outside unsupervised. Build or purchase a sturdy pen at least 6 feet high with an inescapable latch on the door so she can be outside unsupervised. And whenever she is outside with you - she needs to be on lead - until she learns manners.
This will take time and committment. It will be up to you to teach her - not your children. Remember, as the adult in the family, YOU are the alpha dog. YOU are the one responsible for teaching her how to behave. Don't push this off on your kids as a "lesson in responsibilities" etc. You'll only be disappointed and the dog will be the one to lose out all around.
Good luck.
2007-06-05 03:46:45 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're going to have to tie the dog...it's in some dogs nature and there is nothing you can do...don't worry about the children, it's the chickens not the children that makes the dog kill,,,,my boyfriend had a Huskie that couldn't stop killing chickens, he did get rid of it, but didn't live on a farm...
2007-06-05 02:58:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either the dog has to go or the chickens have to go.
It will not stop any other way.
2007-06-05 03:55:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well theyre herding dogs.. They need something 2 herd..............
2007-06-05 03:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋