Our new dog, Maverick, killed our three chickens! We are afraid that if we don't get rid of him, he will kill othere chickens. Should we get rid if him? PLEASE HELP!!
2007-07-09 14:15:28 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hi! you have a fixable problem :)
First off, your new dog SHOULD be supervised- all the time right now!!! This is your best opportunity to teach Maverick what is and isn't acceptable and what is expected of him. YOU are the Alpha dog: That has to stay the rule! This doesn't mean negative re enforcement- dogs respond much better to gentle, firm repetition. Being a pack animal with a strong social structure, he looks to YOU for guidance, or he should be taught to do so.
I recommend getting a book by the 'Monks of New Skeet'(no kidding!LOL). It was unbelievably helpful for me and my dog! It teaches pack philosophy and how you should assert yourself as Alpha -dog, etc. - Amazon has a bunch:
The Art of Raising Your Puppy; I and Dog; How to be Your Dog's Best Friend. *********They're all great!*********
Once YOU'RE trained, you can train your dog and correct almost ANY behavioral traits. Remember- your dog is a genetically evolved wolf!
My dog goes for birds, woodchucks and rodents (she learned the hard way that Skunks aren't worth the chase!!!). The first time she caught a baby Woodchuck, she brought it to me. That's what pack-subservient dogs do. I was shocked out of my mind! There was no blood- she much have shaken it. I knew that my reaction was critical (and I had never experienced anything so freaky before!). First I thanked her, then put her on leash and walked her over to the area that was there den and repeatedly pointed and said a sharp, "NO!!!". We did this many times over the weekend. She now doesn't go near that area at all. she also will chase the birds, but stops short of catching them. She gets praised for stopping... get the picture?
Your dog is going to be just fine- you have to work with him. I disagree with others impulse to "get rid of him" . Your patience, knowledge, and training will pay off with your new guy!
Sorry this answer was so long, but this is SO important! You can build the most uniquely special relationship with Maverick- give it a fair try... he'll pay you back his whole life!
Mich
2007-07-11 05:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by Michele in CT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will kill other chickens. Why shouldn't he? You can't blame the dog for following his instincts and exhibiting natural behavior! A dog who kills a small animal is not vicious, it is simply a normal dog doing what any dog would do. Dogs don't automatically know what is an isn't acceptable behavior - they need to be taught. You should have made sure the dog did not have access to the chickens. If you are not prepared to either train him to leave them alone or keep him away from them, then make sure he makes his way to a family that will accept or control his natural behaviors.
2007-07-09 21:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by Mandy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a Golden that is sweet, gentle, and also a small animal and bird killer. He will not hurt a cat or small dog, but nearly everything else is prey. I simply keep him away from other animals.
It is possible to teach a dog to ignore his nature, but it is very stressful, once they are adults. Maverick WILL kill every chicken that he can get hold of. Accept that fact. He may also torture chickens, if they are caged, beyond his reach. You can't even let him see or hear the chickens... If you can't keep them separated, you have to give Maverick to someone who doesn't have chickens... You might be able to get another dog, or a younger puppy that is easier to train to leave the chickens alone... Sorry.
2007-07-09 21:30:04 · answer #3 · answered by hanksimon 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Keep them separate. A dog will hunt, a chicken cannot defend itself. Either get a chicken coop the dog cannot get into or keep the dog inside. You'll have this problem with any dog (except ones that a chicken could defend itself against, like a toy dog)
2007-07-09 21:23:50 · answer #4 · answered by Katie D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't get rid of your dog!! Try and train the dog to like the chickens or I would try keeping them apart
2007-07-09 21:35:04 · answer #5 · answered by gymnast6394 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when I was growing up my mom had a dog named tiger and a pen of chickens. Tiger never harmed the chickens because they never went near him. But one day an injured goose came to our house and we took care of him till he was better, but he was cocky and he would lay in tigers water dish (it was one of those big metal things) anyways, after so many of times the goose doing that Tiger got him and killed him. We also had a bunch of cats he never bothered them and they never bothered him. So I don't think you have to get rid of your dog. Just teach him to not get the animals. I taught my new dog to not chase the kitties. and he doesn't go near them. So just separate your chickens from Maverick. I think after a little while Maverick will get the hint.
2007-07-09 21:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by bekapv_219 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Acctually no I don't think you have to put him down because in some dog breeds it's just an instinct to attack animals like birds maybe your dog was bread for hunting.
Believe me if I put a chicken in my yard with my three dogs wich are a JTR, Dogo Argentino and a Dalmation Mix they would hunt it down and kill it.
Just make sure your dog can't get to the chicken.
Hope this helps.
2007-07-09 21:30:34 · answer #7 · answered by Shaqo_Wyn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to either pen Maverick up or pen the chickens so they can't hurt each other. If this is the only thing he's done, I would give him some more time. However, it's obvious that Maverick cannot be trusted with the chickens so you will have to find a permanent solution to that particular dilemna.
2007-07-09 21:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately dogs are predisposed to chase chickens as they would be part of the dogs diet in the wild. At this point you have two options, you can keep the chickens penned up and away from the dog, or you can kennel your dog indoors and only allow him to go outside supervised.
2007-07-09 21:26:48 · answer #9 · answered by oh_shotdown 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
KimbeeJ is right... its in most dogs genes, its what most dogs were bred for if you have a hunting breed that it. Which is not the case for my jack russell because shes in the terrier and she killed one of my parakeets... anyway just keep the dog completely away from the chickens, or make sure the chickens are secured well
2007-07-09 21:23:19 · answer #10 · answered by woosh* 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋