[mushroom]

We have 2 labs and one of them wants to kill our chickens. They both want to kill any new cat that comes into the yard...but they are fine with the old cats, for some reason.<br><br><br><br>
Anyway, we have to keep everyone apart and our dogs end up getting less attention, because they can't be right near the house anymore.<br><br><br><br>
Our little pug used to chase our chickens, but they fight back now, so he quit. It's pretty funny to see him run away from them!<br><br><br><br>
Any ideas?<br><br><br><br>
Thank you.

 

[LadyFaile]

in terms of the cats i'd say it's a territorial thing. when i had a dog he eventually got used to our cat but any time a neighbour cat would wander into the yard he'd freak out and chase it off barking like a maniac.<br><br>
as for the chickens, it's like a dog chasing pigeons or squirrels in the park. they're natural prey to them. i don't think there's anything you can really do except keep them seperated or maybe try introducing them for short periods at a time while on a leash so you can control them, they may eventually get used to the chickens.<br><br>
i'm not really sure, i knew someone who lived on a farm and her dogs (3) always just ignored the farm animals but if a strange animal came onto the property they'd recognize it as a threat. i think it's something that depends on the breed and whether or not they were raised among the other animals

 

[Thalia]

I think my aunts former dogs learned to respect her rabbit by being allowed to be closer and closer it while it was in its cage, with training from the humans not to bark or jump. And eventually they got used to the rabbit but I don't think she left them alone together (just in case).

 

[mushroom]

I spent ages 10 - 16 on a farm and our dogs (2 labs and a daushound) allowed our chickens to walk on them while they napped. They ignored the rabbits in their hutches, while they chased wild ones in the woods. Sometimes they did chase our cats, but as soon as the cats stopped, they stopped. And it was obvious it was a game.<br><br><br><br>
Our dogs now have KILL written all over their faces. And we had the chickens and cats before the dogs. The thing is, the dogs are the ones that suffer because they must be penned up away from the other animals and the humans (Though they have about 1/4 acre)<br><br><br><br>
Just thought someone might know a trick...<br><br><br><br>
Thanks for the replies.

 

[kpickell]

keep the dogs inside and teach them to behave. dogs need to be socialized.<br><br><br><br>
if the dogs are ignored they'll get worse (ie follow instinct).<br><br><br><br>
it takes time to introduce a dog to another animal. for the first several weeks when doing introductions keep the dog tied up and have someone holding the dog keeping it calm and reassuring it. Let the other animal (cat or chicken) get gradually closer to the dog, and remind the dog that it has to stay calm.<br><br><br><br>
Eventually you'll get to the point where the dog (while being held still) can smell the cat or chicken... Labs will want to lick them too, which will probably scare the cat or chicken, so you'll have to calm the cat/chicken too! Next, after a few more weeks, you can let go of the dog when he's around the cat or chicken, but still keep him on a leash. If he runs for the cat, shout "no", and make him sit and "calm down". It'll take a while. Some animal introductions take a few weeks, others take several months. You have to break them of their natural instinct to hunt, and that can take a lot of time.

 

[spud]

I don't know of an answer, but I had some grief lately. A cat comes around here, he lived here for a week when he was a lost kitten, and we spoil him. He started to get ideas about the hens, stalking them and being over interested. It stopped when I threw down some chunks of cat food on the grass- the cat didn't want it before but decided he did now. The hens are carniverous little monsters and ran for the food full tilt and squawking and the cat decided he'd seen the dark side of them and keeps a healthy distance now. It's a shame the good dog is being kept away because the bad dog can't be trusted, maybe you should try seperating them and just letting the bad dog feel left out until he changes his attitude.

 

[GhostUser]

Everything kpickell said, I totally agree with.....you know your stuff! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> Also, it might help to give the dogs treats, and maybe try one dog at a time...it might be too difficult to have both dogs present and keep them calm at the same time. Sometimes dogs feed off each others behaviours like kids do. LOL. Also, like kpickell said...discourage the bad behaviour, and it might help to immediately remove them from the chickens afterwards and ignore them for a significant time. This way, they understand that they get a lot of attention when they're around the chickens...until they get out of hand.