Once in a while, she will charge one just to see it run but controls her urge.įina had much less prey drive. She can now be left alone with the chickens any time. I shouted “Nine!” at the top of my lungs (German for NO) and she never once touched a chicken again. There was one occassion when Aura pounced onto a chicken and shook it violently to and fro. Things changed when the chickens were in the yard. Soon, she could sit calmly without drooling and waiting for me to turn her back. When we left with no chicken attacks I would verbally reward her and pet her. She would sit and watch me and occasionally try to eat some chicken poo off of the ground. (The chickens are free range but I lock them up for a few days when there are “events” like this or a fox in the neighborhood). Moving forwardĮvery day when I got eggs I brought Aura into the coop. I held the chicken near her mouth and she did not eat it. She was alert and had a stiff body and had the urge to chomp the chicken. I obtained a chicken and repeated the process. She looked around with wide eyes and salivated. On the second intro with Aura, I brought Aura into the coop. On the second introduction, Fina knew not to eat them. Immediately, I knew that I needed to take her to the coop daily with me. The first time I introduced a chicken to Aura she chomped down on it’s head. I typically have my Shepherd sit and hold the chicken as I know they won’t bite me. I have usually introduced them to chicks. They lick their lips and prepare to chomp down on the chicken. Introducing your GSD to chickens.Įach time I have introduced a GSD to chickens the response has been the same. I personally used positive reinforcement and repeated exposure. I am not an expert dog trainer and I am sure there are more ways than one to accomplish this. Here’s how I trained our GSDs to tolerate their urge. Each time they were introduced to chickens, the response has been the same. Here’s Fina, the German Shepherd Dog, hanging out by chickens. This could be one of my last good pictures of my beloved previous German Shepherd, Fina, who passed away in late 2013. : I stumbled upon this post today, initially posted, exactly 2 years ago today. While a German Shepherd dog may initially have the urge and prey drive to capture and kill a chicken, with exposure and training they can be trusted to coexist with chickens without harming them.
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