2dream
Flibbertigibbet
Sorry about your poor Penelope. You really are very lucky to have a neighbor who cares and keeps her dog confined. Most neighbors don't care. Its really a tough situation. 
Is it possible ....
- Thread starter ORChick
- Start date
SKR8PN
Late For Supper
Sorry to hear about your chicks, but.........I am going to be the spoiler......
One of two things is going to have to happen here.
First one is: You keep the hens out of harms way, or risk losing the rest.
Secondly:
If your neighbor is entertaining the idea of having Jill put down, she must know a little something more about the dog than you do, specially since Jill has already attacked another smaller dog in the house. Neither one of you know for certain what she may have killed BEFORE she was rescued by your neighbor. It may only be a matter of time before Jill goes after a child. I think I would go back and have another talk with Jill's owner AFTER everyone has calmed down from the Penelope episode. Sometimes, a dog with that kind of background, just can not be trusted, I don't care WHO the trainer/owner is or how good their intentions are. Once tasted, a dog will never lose the lust for blood. It only grows stronger.
One of two things is going to have to happen here.
First one is: You keep the hens out of harms way, or risk losing the rest.
Secondly:
If your neighbor is entertaining the idea of having Jill put down, she must know a little something more about the dog than you do, specially since Jill has already attacked another smaller dog in the house. Neither one of you know for certain what she may have killed BEFORE she was rescued by your neighbor. It may only be a matter of time before Jill goes after a child. I think I would go back and have another talk with Jill's owner AFTER everyone has calmed down from the Penelope episode. Sometimes, a dog with that kind of background, just can not be trusted, I don't care WHO the trainer/owner is or how good their intentions are. Once tasted, a dog will never lose the lust for blood. It only grows stronger.
FarmerChick
Super Self-Sufficient
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I agree with SKR
As sad as it all seems, your neighbor knows the dog best. I would let it be her decision on what to do with the dog. I wouldn't offer advice to her about her pet---in the end she has to make this decision.
As sad as it all seems, your neighbor knows the dog best. I would let it be her decision on what to do with the dog. I wouldn't offer advice to her about her pet---in the end she has to make this decision.
I am sorry about the loss of Penelope.
I have a dog and she never "gets out". She is inside with me and when she is outside she is with me. I have a large property, she is loose when outside but under my control. This is because I care deeply for her and responsible for her life. We have a good bond, we've been to obedience classes at a private kennel, rehearse daily.
Your neighbor may be well intentioned with rescue dogs but needs to be more involved with them. My last dog was a rescue and they need more than rescuing. She needs to work with the dog, not leave it out in a pen all day. Classes with a rescue trainer would guide her.
I'm not a fan of shock collars or invisible fence but she may have to consider these with her history of rescue dog adoptions.
I do not believe in euthanasia and strongly believe it is used too conveniently. She needs to be proactive. And not place the burden of euthanizing her dog on you.
I have a dog and she never "gets out". She is inside with me and when she is outside she is with me. I have a large property, she is loose when outside but under my control. This is because I care deeply for her and responsible for her life. We have a good bond, we've been to obedience classes at a private kennel, rehearse daily.
Your neighbor may be well intentioned with rescue dogs but needs to be more involved with them. My last dog was a rescue and they need more than rescuing. She needs to work with the dog, not leave it out in a pen all day. Classes with a rescue trainer would guide her.
I'm not a fan of shock collars or invisible fence but she may have to consider these with her history of rescue dog adoptions.
I do not believe in euthanasia and strongly believe it is used too conveniently. She needs to be proactive. And not place the burden of euthanizing her dog on you.
Dace
Revolution in Progress
I am sorry about your loss It is heartbreaking to loose a loved pet.
I have to agree with SCR8PN & FarmerChick.....the dog has issues. Those issues are not just your hens, otherwise it would not have been thru so many homes. Perhaps the dog is just not to be trusted in general and that does not make for a good pet.
It is heartbreaking to loose a loved pet.I have to agree with SCR8PN & FarmerChick.....the dog has issues. Those issues are not just your hens, otherwise it would not have been thru so many homes. Perhaps the dog is just not to be trusted in general and that does not make for a good pet.
miss_thenorth
Frugal Homesteader
This is definitely a pickle. (and not the tasty kind). Grnated, the owner mayknow more about this dog which would warrant putting her down, and if that is what needs to be done, then so be it. We have to be good guardians of our critters, and sometimes that calls for actions that we would rather not have to face.
On the other hand, if the dog is rehabitable (?), there are methods to train dogs not to kill or attack. i have a very high prey driven hunting dog --wirehaired pointing griffon, and also a rottweiler who has a very high prey drive. Both my dogs know their pack placement on my farm. But it didn't just happen--they were trained this way, and now they could really care less about all the other critters, (well, we are still working on the rott with the sheep, but he is getting there)
I understand and sympathize with your situation. Honestly if in your shoes I don't know what I would do. I did have a neighbour whose dogs got out one morning, and killed my rooster. I do not have the SSS mentality. I realized it was not intentional that her dogs got out, she was very careful, but it only takes once. And this one time they did get out, they got my roo. She came over and apologized, and offered to replace him. I declined, saying it was an accident, and left it at that. However, if it were several chickens, I would think something needs to be done, b/c now in your situation, it is inevitable that it willl happen again unless changes are made.
If the dogs owner ultimately decided to put her down, it will be her decision, and may be for the best. However, if you want to try and train the dog not to attack, google Cesar Milan. Apparently he taught a dog to not attack chickens. I have used his method, although when I did it, I had now idea who Cesar Milan was. But it has worked for me, my sil and my sil's neighbour.
On the other hand, if the dog is rehabitable (?), there are methods to train dogs not to kill or attack. i have a very high prey driven hunting dog --wirehaired pointing griffon, and also a rottweiler who has a very high prey drive. Both my dogs know their pack placement on my farm. But it didn't just happen--they were trained this way, and now they could really care less about all the other critters, (well, we are still working on the rott with the sheep, but he is getting there)
I understand and sympathize with your situation. Honestly if in your shoes I don't know what I would do. I did have a neighbour whose dogs got out one morning, and killed my rooster. I do not have the SSS mentality. I realized it was not intentional that her dogs got out, she was very careful, but it only takes once. And this one time they did get out, they got my roo. She came over and apologized, and offered to replace him. I declined, saying it was an accident, and left it at that. However, if it were several chickens, I would think something needs to be done, b/c now in your situation, it is inevitable that it willl happen again unless changes are made.
If the dogs owner ultimately decided to put her down, it will be her decision, and may be for the best. However, if you want to try and train the dog not to attack, google Cesar Milan. Apparently he taught a dog to not attack chickens. I have used his method, although when I did it, I had now idea who Cesar Milan was. But it has worked for me, my sil and my sil's neighbour.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks everybody for all your comments and advice. And for reading my rant - I was still very upset when I wrote that yesterday.
To clarify a few points: yes, the dog has issues. She was abused when younger, and had been through several homes before coming to my neighbour. And the neighbour knows this, and has tried to work with her. Jill is not confined in her pen all the time, only when it isn't possible for her to go into work with her owner. Otherwise she is in the house, part of th family. The other dog, a sweet little poodle, was almost forced on the neighbour, as a last resort sort of thing. When we discovered that Jill was the chicken killer my neighbour went to great lengths to make sure it couldn't happen again. Even looked into putting in a secure fence, which, because of the lie of the land - both her property and ours - would be, at best, extremely difficult and extremely expensive. That was when the dog run came into use, and the schedule of when I could safely let the chickens out. Yesterday was an accident, and already that chink in the defenses has been filled. But she and I both know that it might happen again somehow. I have to decide about if and how I can allow the chooks to free range now. And she has to deal with the idea that the next time it might be a child - yes, we talked about that possibility also yesterday. I don't believe that Jill is a mean dog (I almost said "dangerous", but that of course is wrong - she certainly is dangerous) but she certainly has tasted chicken blood, and likes it, and knows where the chickens live. I can't advise the neighbour; she has to decide herself what is best to be done. But after about 4 years of working with this dog, and then having this happen again, plus the attack on the little dog, I think she is beginning to see that Jill's issues run deeper than first thought.
To clarify a few points: yes, the dog has issues. She was abused when younger, and had been through several homes before coming to my neighbour. And the neighbour knows this, and has tried to work with her. Jill is not confined in her pen all the time, only when it isn't possible for her to go into work with her owner. Otherwise she is in the house, part of th family. The other dog, a sweet little poodle, was almost forced on the neighbour, as a last resort sort of thing. When we discovered that Jill was the chicken killer my neighbour went to great lengths to make sure it couldn't happen again. Even looked into putting in a secure fence, which, because of the lie of the land - both her property and ours - would be, at best, extremely difficult and extremely expensive. That was when the dog run came into use, and the schedule of when I could safely let the chickens out. Yesterday was an accident, and already that chink in the defenses has been filled. But she and I both know that it might happen again somehow. I have to decide about if and how I can allow the chooks to free range now. And she has to deal with the idea that the next time it might be a child - yes, we talked about that possibility also yesterday. I don't believe that Jill is a mean dog (I almost said "dangerous", but that of course is wrong - she certainly is dangerous) but she certainly has tasted chicken blood, and likes it, and knows where the chickens live. I can't advise the neighbour; she has to decide herself what is best to be done. But after about 4 years of working with this dog, and then having this happen again, plus the attack on the little dog, I think she is beginning to see that Jill's issues run deeper than first thought.
old fashioned
Almost Self-Reliant
Just throwing this out there as a suggestion....how about only letting your chickens to free range when she is home to supervise the dog and keeping them in the pen when she's at work. A compromise until things are worked out.
We have similar issues with our neighbors dog-only this one is a coonhound pup (8-10mos)-she doesn't know any better and sees my chickens as action toys. She did get one-not dead, but tore open. We do have a fence, but is currently propped up and shakey until DH fixes it this spring/summer. So I keep a close eye on them when out in the yard. When it warms and dries up I want to redo the coop/pen and add an enclosed run area so they can have some safe range. I don't think it fair that my chickens have that freedom while their dog doesn't-if you understand what I'm trying to say here.
just my .02
good luck to you and your neighbor.
We have similar issues with our neighbors dog-only this one is a coonhound pup (8-10mos)-she doesn't know any better and sees my chickens as action toys. She did get one-not dead, but tore open. We do have a fence, but is currently propped up and shakey until DH fixes it this spring/summer. So I keep a close eye on them when out in the yard. When it warms and dries up I want to redo the coop/pen and add an enclosed run area so they can have some safe range. I don't think it fair that my chickens have that freedom while their dog doesn't-if you understand what I'm trying to say here.
just my .02
good luck to you and your neighbor.
- Thread starter
- #19
Yes, I think that may be what I will have to do. For the next week they won't be let out in any case, as I will be away, and I don't want to saddle DH with too much chicken stuff. He is pretty good about it all, but the chooks are *mine*. I understand that there is a chance that Jill may go to live with my neighbour's ex - but I heard that 2nd hand, and don't know for sure. And I totally agree about free range and fairness. The dog needs time and space to be a dog, just as the chooks need time and space to be chickens. And we need to work out how best to do that safely.old fashioned said:
peachykeen
Power Conserver
Well I am building a run for my chickens this spring because I cannot trust dogs in the area. There are cottagers in the summer and they tend to let their dogs loose. I wouldnt blame the dog, but it does mean I have to confine them, which I do not want to do. Sucks, but it's my responsibility as a chicken owner.
Sounds like the dog may have some issues, but how many dogs will kill a chicken if given a chance? We all know we can't trust dogs with chickens, they are delicious! Most of us can attest to that.
I do hope that the owner keeps the dog alive, unless she has good reason to believe the dog is getting progressively more aggressive. I'm really sorry for your loss, I would be a wreck in your position.
Sounds like the dog may have some issues, but how many dogs will kill a chicken if given a chance? We all know we can't trust dogs with chickens, they are delicious! Most of us can attest to that.
I do hope that the owner keeps the dog alive, unless she has good reason to believe the dog is getting progressively more aggressive. I'm really sorry for your loss, I would be a wreck in your position.
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