Puppy Killed Chicken

[Francie43]

I had a terrible experience today. My almost 4 month old rottie (male pup) is completely housebroken so he wakes me in the morning about 4 or 5 to let him out. Well after letting him out I go back to bed for a couple of hours to make a long story short when I went to look for him because he was not at the door to come back in he was out in the yard chewing on a chicken (it was dead). He has been chasing them since I got him but stops and comes when I call him well one did not get locked up last night. Can this behavior be changed?

[frontierrots]

not a terrible incident but an expected outcome. Almost every puppy under a year given the opportunity will kill something they view as prey. It's a hard wired behavior.

YOU have allowed the chasing (calling him back does not count, you have to prevent it before it happens) and of course when he discovered one loose and you not around he grabbed it. NOW he has learned that if you are not around he can grab them. Your fault for allowing him out unsupervised

The solution is to not allow him out unsupervised and not allowed around the chickens when not on a leash

[Francie43]

Thank you Annie I never allowed him to chase the chickens I stopped him as soon as he looked there way. I live in the country and have chickens, ducks, two miniature horses etc. It was my fault for not making sure they were in for the night also. It is hard for me to keep Caleb on a leash I am on oxygen and don't move very fast. I wanted to know if there was any thing else I could do so he dose not start chasing the ducks because the chickens are locked up he has not bothered them before.

[Nishasmom]

Francie...I agree, it is a normal behavior for a dog (of any breed) to want to kill/chase chickens.

BTW..are you in Marble Falls Texas?

[Francie43]

Yes I am in Marble Falls

[FilosFolks]

I agree and at any age it is not a good idea to just go back to bed.

My cats would've tried their paws at a chicken and they have less prey drive than my dogs. Without a leash and consistent training your pup is left with the instincts he was born with.

[moondog]

Francie, maybe you don't like the word "allowed", so I'll use the word "enabled". You enabled him to chase the chickens. If he never chased them and all he did is look, why do you say "he's been chasing them since you got him" and you call him back? That doesn't make sense.....either he chased them or he didn't. You enabled him to get the chicken he killed by giving him access to it unleashed and unsupervised.

If you cannot go outside with him on leash, then you need to set up some type of enclosure outside your door that you can let him into that will prevent him from having the freedom to do what comes naturally - until such time as he is well trained enough to leave them alone.

[Francie43]

You are right I enabled him. But since I know what happened I will keep the chickens locked up it will be easier than trying to have an enclosure for my puppy. Thank you.

[Francie43]

My GS and my Great Pyr numerous cats have never bothered chickens

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Francie43

You are right I enabled him. But since I know what happened I will keep the chickens locked up it will be easier than trying to have an enclosure for my puppy. Thank you.

Unfortunately, chicken chasing/killing is only one of a million things he can do while free to roam the property unsupervised that could be harmful to critters or himself. If you can't supervise him, then he needs an enclosure until you can.

Originally Posted by Francie43

My GS and my Great Pyr numerous cats have never bothered chickens

Well....he's not your GS or your Great Pyr or one of numerous cats....he is who he is and that's what you have to work with. To expect him to be like some other dog/cat that he is not, you are not being fair to him. His prey drive is higher than theirs.....and he was born with it.

[damp]

If my dog couldn't figure out to kill a chicken.... I would call the breeder and claim my money back!

[Francie43]

Sorry for my ignorance.

[Cdn1050]

I agree with the others not to leave him unsupervised. Not only because he will go after more chickens, but what will happen if he wanders off of your property. Most places in country type settings have bylaws where the owner can shoot a stray dog that comes on to their property if it bothers their live stock.

[brunie's mom]

Most dog will chase after chickens and kill them unless they have been trained not to. Chickens are flighty, and noisy and make very good targets for dogs with prey drive.

Go out with your dog and supervise and train and correct it for going after the chickens, or like it has been suggested, build a kennel run so that the pup can be in there when not being supervised.

This is very normal behavior....and both of my dogs would have no problems chasing and killing chickens if allowed.

Gina

[Francie43]

Originally Posted by Cdn1050

I agree with the others not to leave him unsupervised. Not only because he will go after more chickens, but what will happen if he wanders off of your property. Most places in country type settings have bylaws where the owner can shoot a stray dog that comes on to their property if it bothers their live stock.

I have a fenced propert he cannot get out.