The trend of keeping chickens is becoming more popular, with people in both suburban and rural areas raising them. However, some owners are faced with a sad conflict between their dogs and their new feathered additions.
6 Ways to Break a Dog from Killing Chickens
Controlling your dog’s tendency to attack chickens requires a significant amount of effort and persistence. There isn’t a universal approach that will work for every dog, as certain dogs may require more specialized attention.
Several efficient strategies are available. You may discover that one tactic suffices, or you may have to integrate two or three distinct methods.
#1 Simply Keep Your Dog Separated from the Chickens
It’s advisable to avoid letting your chicken-loving dog near your chickens if he has a strong instinct to hunt. Some dog breeds are not compatible with feathered creatures, but that’s acceptable. Acknowledging your dog’s requirements and ensuring your chickens’ safety does not make you a bad owner. On the contrary, it shows responsible ownership.
To ensure the safety of your chickens, create a chicken run or coop that will prevent your dog from entering and keep the chickens secure. This will prevent unplanned interactions and potential sorrow. It’s important to supervise your dog when they are free in the yard, even if your chickens are already confined.
If you are a pup owner who also keeps free-range chickens, then the issue of separation can be quite challenging. To address this, you can either tether your dog or restrict them to a secure area in the yard, away from the flock. In case you plan on creating a designated space for your dog and allowing the chickens to roam freely, we recommend checking out our article on the most suitable escape-proof dog fences.
It is ideal to have a significant distance between the roaming area of your chicken and the outdoor space of your dog.
#2 Socialize Your Dog with the Chickens
The best strategy to prevent aggression towards chickens is to introduce your dog to them during their early puppy socialization period.
After your puppy comes home, you need to take him to the coop and walk him around the chickens as soon as possible.
Incentivize positive interactions through verbal commendation and treats, and immediately reprimand any rough or aggressive conduct with a verbal order.
Make certain that you never resort to hitting or shouting at your puppy. It is important to maintain positive interactions with the chickens and steer clear of any training methods that involve punishment.
Socializing older dogs can be more challenging, thus requiring a gradual approach. Begin by keeping your dog on a leash and keeping the chickens in their pen. As you approach the chicken run, take it slowly.
It will be necessary to repeat this process for several days until he can approach the pen without any problematic behavior.
When your dog approaches the pen calmly, give them a delicious treat and praise them. Allow them to explore the perimeter of the run and sniff the birds through the fence to become accustomed and at ease. Commend them for displaying positive behaviors.
In case he responds with hostility, give a verbal reprimand and depart the place. It is necessary to do this repeatedly until he can come near the pen without displaying inappropriate behavior. Gradually, he can advance to approaching without being leashed, interacting while on a leash, and finally, interacting without a leash.
Comprehend that socializing your dog is not a competition, and pushing them too fast is not recommended. Although it may feel tiresome, correctly training and avoiding unfavorable encounters is imperative for future triumph.
#3 Use the “Restrain & Reward” Method
The idea is to incentivize your dog to remain peaceful while observing or approaching the chickens and to withhold rewards such as treats, commendations, and physical affection when he becomes agitated or acts aggressively.
Begin by securing your chickens in their enclosure and putting your dog on a leash. Gradually approach the enclosure while praising your dog. As long as your dog remains relaxed, keep rewarding him with positive reinforcement.
In case your dog exhibits barking, growling or unfavorable reactions, move away from the chickens. Determine the suitable distance where your dog can stay composed in the presence of the chickens and then appreciate him with treats, compliments and games for disregarding the chickens or at the very minimum, not attempting to chase them.
Continue the process on the following day and continue regularly until your dog doesn’t react when you approach the pen. This may take a while, so be prepared for the extended period.
#4 Use the “Stop & Pull” Method
Begin by placing your chickens in a coop and gradually approach them with your dog, who is on a leash.
In case of his aggressive reaction upon seeing them, utter the words “No!” or “Stop!”, halt your movement and proceed by retracting him towards you.
Apply mild pressure while doing it – your goal is not to give a severe tug or sudden yank to pull him back. Keep in mind that using a harness for your dog is more secure than using a collar.
If he stops attempting to get near the chickens, reward him with compliments and snacks.
Using a designated sound (like snapping a finger) to correct a puppy’s behavior is an acceptable option favored by certain dog owners.
You will need to repeat this over several days, progressively approaching closer each time. Make sure to consistently give the verbal command and retract your dog if he responds in a negative manner.
Eventually, your dog will be able to approach the coop without showing any reaction.
#5 Teach Your Dog a “Drop” Command
While this lesson may not prevent your dog from attacking chickens, it could provide you with the ability to rescue a chicken if you catch the dog in the act.
In essence, what you have to do is train your dog to release items upon command. In truth, this is a useful ability that all dogs should acquire because you never know when your furry friend might come across something hazardous.
Begin by presenting your dog with a preferred plaything, such as a ball or bone.
After gripping the edge of the object, command your dog to release it by saying “Drop it” or simply “Drop” (as some owners prefer to do). If your dog complies by opening its mouth or loosening its hold on the item, reward it with a treat and ample verbal praise.
During training sessions, it is important to repeat the command multiple times until the dog consistently responds by dropping the item. Although most dogs can learn this skill quite rapidly, it is advisable to practice it frequently. This is particularly crucial in case your pet retrieves one of your birds, as time will be critical.
#6 Reach Out for Professional Help
Teaching dogs can be a challenging task, and certain breeds require additional effort. Thus, if you become agitated due to insufficient growth or prefer delegating the training responsibility, it’s advisable to contact a reliable trainer and hand over the reins.
It’s important to select a qualified trainer who follows LIMA principles (least intrusive, minimally aversive) and relies on positive methods when training your dog.
Make sure to avoid any trainer who recommends the method discussed in the following section, no matter what.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
There exist primarily two tiers for training dogs. If you desire to train your dog skills or fundamental etiquette, which involve instructing them to sit, stay, and lie down, you should consult a dog trainer. However, if your dog is grappling with a behavioral issue such as fearfulness, anxiety, or aggressiveness, then a dog behavioral consultant such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help is the suitable professional to approach.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training if you require training for both skills and temperament, as it is the more intricate aspect. While a dog trainer may have basic knowledge of how to teach your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant would be more qualified in aiding your dog to cope with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt explains that not all dogs will enjoy going to the dog park, just like how not all humans will enjoy going to raves.
Kim Brophey, the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and a family dog mediator who penned the book “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Using the L.E.G.S framework – learning, environment, genetics, and self – Brophey elucidates dog behavior. To illustrate, if your dog is barking at your visitors, for example.
Brophey suggests that this breed of dog has been strategically chosen over the course of many centuries for the purpose of protecting against intruders entering your home. As a result of a German shepherd’s innate instinct to safeguard its space, it may be necessary to adjust your expectations accordingly since this attribute cannot be trained out of them.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are a number of training methods to choose from, including group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training, and self-led training, which are the most widely used. Group classes are less personalized but more cost-effective. Fratt cautions that board and train facilities are more expensive and come with risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The training option you choose will be based on your budget and the goals you have for your dog’s development. If your dog exhibits aggression towards another dog within your household, outdoor training methods may not be the most effective solution.
It is important to acknowledge that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t necessarily have to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests that she dedicates approximately five minutes daily to training. Many of the tasks that trainers assign can be enjoyable and conveniently integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts suggest free or low-cost online resources for dog training if you want to avoid spending a lot of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together several resources that are free of charge. Additionally, Fratt has a collection of lessons titled Training Tuesday Free Lessons.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training operates without regulations, allowing individuals with a website, Instagram account, or storefront to assert themselves as dog trainers. Consequently, there is no established set of guidelines dictating which methods are appropriate for dog training, and trainers often hold divergent opinions. However, most trainers can be classified into one of two general groups.
One category of trainers, such as Fratt, focuses on positive reinforcement. This approach involves rewarding dogs with something pleasant, such as a treat, when they display good behavior in order to encourage them to continue. Alternatively, it involves providing dogs with a positive experience when they encounter something they perceive as frightening.
Balanced trainers such as Brianna Dick utilize positive reinforcement techniques, but they are also more open to integrating corrections like e-collars into their training.
According to Dick, E-collar training requires the use of a collar that is worn by a dog and can be remotely controlled to emit various stimuli, such as a shock, sound or citronella spray, to correct their behavior. The use of E-collars remains a controversial issue within the dog training community, particularly those that administer a shock.
Dick warns against trainers who rely solely on e-collars for every dog, as that approach is standard and unlikely to produce satisfactory outcomes. She advises seeking out a trainer who takes time to understand your specific circumstances, dynamics, and lifestyle with your dog.
Find a good trainer.
A great way to find reliable positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality is to refer to lists that have been created by different professional organizations. There are several such lists that you can look up.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Proceed to conduct interviews by contacting previous clients and determine which trainer gives you the most ease and comfort. Ensure that they are capable of clearly explaining their techniques for training.
