Lavenders_Blue Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Our new(ish) rescue dog Tango has really blotted her copybook today. She is a terrier crossbreed and VERY VERY interested in the chickens. We've been working with a dog trainer to try and desensitise her to the chickens and all was going well, until she had a few hunting successes out on a walk (she has caught a few pigeons and rabbits), and things rather went backwards with the chicken training. Tango never goes out into the garden unsupervised, she either has to go out into the garden on a lead, or else the chickens have to be shut into their run inside their FR pen to prevent any disasters. A stern voice or loud rattling noise does nothing to distract her from her chicken fixation. Today, Tango slipped out of the back door unnoticed and got into the hen pen. To gain entry, she had chewed her way through the wire fencing. As soon as we realised what had happened (thankfully only seconds later) hubby and I ran into the garden and we were relieved and amazed to find that she hadn't killed any of them, but there are a lot of feathers in the garden where she has obviously pulled them out and the poor girls were terrified as you can imagine Hubby and I have checked the hens over as best we can for now, as this happened at roosting time, so not much light about. There is no blood or obvious injuries that we can see. I have just been out to check them again, to check none have died from the shock, but as of 10 minutes ago all are still alive, thank goodness. I will check them over properly tomorrow when they are up and about and will be keeping fingers and toes crossed tonight that there are no injuries that I have missed. Ironically, the dog trainer actually came over today to take photos of Tango, for an article he writes for a dog magazine - he thought dogs and chickens would be an interesting subject (yes folks, we're going to be famous). He took photos of Tango posing nicely for treats and not being interested in the chickens, and is going to write all about what super progress Tango is making. Hmmmmm, well I think after this incident we will be taking more drastic measures to protect our little flock, off to the electric fence shop this week methinks, I can't see any other way that she is going to learn to keep away from the chickens. I will update on the girls' progress tomorrow when I am able to check them over thoroughly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Sorry to hear about your dog and chickens. I don't trust my younger lab with the chooks, she likes to collect things I hope the chickens are all ok this morning and in the day light there are no injuries that you missed. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jane Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Sorry to hear about your dog and chickens. I think you are doing the right thing with the electric fence (though rather costly). Some dogs, especially terriers, have such a strong instinct to chase (and kill, I'm afraid), it is after all what they were bred for originally. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Good morning folks, I'm pleased to report that all the girls have made it through the night. What a relief - I woke up several times in the night worrying about them. Dorothy, who I think took the worst of the attack, has a limp this morning, so I am going to keep her warm and quiet with some warm mash and her own water and see if it settles down or if she needs to see the vet. I'm a bit reluctant to rush her straight down the the vet, I think she's had enough stress for the time being, but if she's still looking really miserable in 24 hours or so, then I'll make an appointment to have her checked over. Apart from that, there don't appear to be any other injuries, goodness only knows how. A few feathers ruffled but nothing serious. Yes, the electric fence won't be a cheap solution, but the safety of the hens is so important, and it will give us peace of mind that our little terrierist won't be getting in to cause any more mayhem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Well done to you and your hubby for reacting so quickly. (And well done generally for all you are doing to try and prevent Tango from begin able to get to yur Girls). Relieved that everyone made it through the night. Will be interested to hear how this progresses. I don't trust my younger lab with the chooks, she likes to collect things ] Chrissie, love that expression, I think I might use it next time one of my cats brings home a new toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Very glad that all your girlies are OK. I'd recommend that Tango is told off sharply (by voice, I don't hold with hitting and am sure you don't either) if she shows any predatory instinct towards any bird at all. One of my greyhounds showed a great interest in young crows before I got my chickens so I knew that this would be the dog to watch above all my other dogs, once the chooks had arrived. Beyond that Tango needs to understand that your chickens in particular are out of bound birds, much as one would teach a dog that, however interested he might be in cats in general, any cat on home ground is a BIG NO NO. Think of it as training Tango not to steal the Sunday roast from your kitchen. Saying this I don't think my greyhounds would ever learn to live with a cat though they are OK with the chickens now - just - and under strict supervision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 My darling terrier (now dearly departed) couldn't be trusted with the chickens... He had to be kept on a lead, or let out when the girls were in their run... He was fine when they girls were in the run after a while. On the other hand my neighbours jack Russell regularly breaks into our garden, and he's marvellous with the chickens and loves to guard them However, I think that as a rule terriers have it in built to chase and kill, so extra precautions are sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Cheaky Chook - she's a very determined dog! She has had lots of sharp 'No' or 'Leave it' etc when not behaving around the chickens (no you're right, I wouldn't hit her) but she's got her blinkers on and is not inclined to listen. I'm sure she knows she is not allowed to charge at the fence, but she just can't help herself. Electric fencing is not something that I particularly want to put up, because I saw Tango get zapped by one out on a walk and boy did it upset her. However... my chooks also have a right not to be continually pestered, even if Tango is just running and and down the fence it's going to stress them out, so I think she is going to have to learn the unpleasant way. If she's got any sense, she'll only touch it the once! On a positive, at the end of today we still have four hens. 3 are fine and well, Dorothy is still limping. I've had a feel and I'm sure her leg is not broken, both legs feel the same and there are no hot spots. She has kept quiet and still all day (out of choice) and has been hand-fed warm mash 3 times today, what a pampered chook, but after what she has been through she deserves it. But I'll continue to watch her closely in case she deteriorates. Incidentally, my girls reached 2 years of freedom on October 10th, what a great retirement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jane Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Congratulations with the 2 years of freedom. I am hoping to be able to take in some ex batts next year ( if I ever get my WIR that is ! ) I only have an eglu classic atm and will need to get something bigger if I want to increase my flock. Good luck with the terrierist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Depending how seriously you want Tango to get along with your chickens you can use a remote control collar such as the 'Master Plus' collar available from Roger Mugford's Company of Animals. Pets 4 Home do their own version too. This is NOT an electric shock collar but enables you to trigger a lemon smelling spray jet, remotely. When you click your device it triggers a lemon scented water jet up beneath the dog's muzzle. I had to use it for a greyhound who was too keen on small dogs. It works because apparently dogs just loath the smell of lemon. It is, however, fairly expensive. One sniff at an electric fence might be cheaper and easier on your nerves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I was very worried about our young Weimarner with her hunting instincts. She will still chase birds and squirrels when we are on walks and even chase pigeons out of the garden but she seems to have a healthy regard for the chickens, having got a peck on the nose. When the chickens found their way out of their netted off the area the other day my husband found the 2 dogs and 2 chickens happily sharing the patio. However, I prefer them to have separate space so that their flapping/running doesn't trigger her prey-drive. Hope all your chooks are OK and glad you've got a dog trainer helping you, here's to a peaceful co-existance in your garden!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 The chooks don't FR in the whole garden anyway, they have a fenced off section of the garden that they FR in all day so there won't be any planned mingling of dog and chooks (I think that will be just asking for trouble). That's the fence that we will be electrifying. The collar sounds interesting, Cheaky Chook, but you're right there probably won't be a lot of difference in cost and I would imagine one zap from the fence ought to create a healthy respect! Poor Dorothy seems to have gone downhill this afternoon, she's had little by way of food and water since lunchtime. I've booked her in to see the vet tomorrow. Fingers crossed she will be treatable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Just a quick update to say that little Dorothy sadly didn't make it through the night RIP little one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Oh I am so very sorry about Dorothy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Sorry about Dorothy. Perhaps you could borrow an electric kit to train Tango rather than buy one?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 So sorry to hear that Dorothy did not make it. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
