We got our 4 month old boxer a week ago. He has taken to chasing the cats and chickens. The cats are used to dogs so they dont give him much to chase, however, the chickens jump and run. Yesterday he and another dog chased and killed 4 chickens. The first one all I found was feathers, then he was caught eating one chicken he had caught (still alive), reprimanded and put in the house. Later I caught him with another chicken. He dropped it and ran under a trailer. I followed and found him eating another chicken (again, alive). This time I had enough. I spanked him good, tied him to a post, dangled the chicken in front of him and whenever he sniffed or looked at it I got him again and left him tied for a couple hours. He then came in all quiet and sullen. I hoped he had learned. Not so. Today I caught him with another one. I put a leash on him, walked him around the chickens and when we got close to one I told him NO. I have no idea what to do. I dont want to get rid of this dog, (for one thing we paid good money for him) and he is a cutey, but I cant have this, either. Any ideas other than hiding with a BB gun and popping him when he chases after one? Any ideas where I can get a training collar reasonably priced?
Chicken Eater!
- Thread starter KathyB
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Krikkit
Boxer Insane
Well, if it were my Boxer and my chickens I would build an enclosure for the chickens and only let them out when your boy is inside. Most dogs have a few hours of 'quiet' time in the day and these few hours would be good for the chickens to free range. When he is out and the chickens are penned in well things should be just fine. A friend of ours successfully taught her 'new' 8 month old Dobermann not to kill chickens using with the help of a good behavourist. Even though her girl is now good, a dog is still a dog (especially one with a very high prey drive), and she only has the chickens and her girl out when they can be fully supervised. It may be worth contacting a behaviorist to help and support you at the moment. The concern with using strong aversives for this type of thing is that your boy may come to fear you and not associate the corrections with the chicken killing at all. This type of behavior needs to managed properly. Though it is not acceptable to people, killing a bird is a very natural thing for a dog to do, which is why if we had chickens we would not put our dogs or the birds into the position where harm could occur......I'm positive our Boxers would do the same thing as they have had no previous exposure to chickens :(
LOL ever try rounding up a yard full of chickens in the middle of the day so you can let your dog out? not possible. They do have an enclosure but will fly over it when they want out. We live in a rural area and have several dogs of different breeds and they have all been able to cohabitate with the chickens, ducks, cats, horses or whatever. Being we live in a remote area there is no access to a dog behaviourist or even obedience classes for that matter, so the training all has to be self taught. Im thinking he will only be let out on a leash for awhile until he can over his taste for chicken. He is smart so Im sure he will be able to learn to behave himself but the sooner the better. He knows better now because when I see him chasing one and go outside he drops it immediately and runs, then he comes up and wraps himself around my leg and gives me "the look".
Sorry, I don't think laughing at Krikkit's very good reply was appropriate.
This sounds like a case of "Dr. it hurts when I hit myself in the head!" And the Dr. replies "Well, stop DOING it!)
It doesn't seem like it should be too hard to cover the top of the chicken enclosure with wire.
Your punishment of him for a natural act seems extremely cruel to me. You will find very few Boxer owners here who would discipline their dog(s) this way. IMHO, you are going to ruin him if this is the way you are going to "teach" him.
How much could some chicken wire cost? Your chickens will be fatter and lay more eggs if they're not chased.
This sounds like a case of "Dr. it hurts when I hit myself in the head!" And the Dr. replies "Well, stop DOING it!)
It doesn't seem like it should be too hard to cover the top of the chicken enclosure with wire.
Your punishment of him for a natural act seems extremely cruel to me. You will find very few Boxer owners here who would discipline their dog(s) this way. IMHO, you are going to ruin him if this is the way you are going to "teach" him.
How much could some chicken wire cost? Your chickens will be fatter and lay more eggs if they're not chased.
I wasnt laughing at her reply in the manner that you apparantly took it. I was laughing at the mental picture I got of me running around my acreage trying to round up chickens so the dog could pee. Im sorry but I believe the dog can and should be taught what is appropriate and what is not appropriate behavior just as all my other dogs have been able to learn. I also thought it was innappropriate for you to compare what I posted with someone who didnt have sense enough to not hit themself in the head, and to consider me cruel for trying to teach a dog right from wrong, what is allowed and what isnt. We all have different views on what our pets are allowed to do, where our pets are allowed to sleep, etc. each varying with every household. This dog has a basketfull of toys, special bones, sleep on my daughters bed, is fed very well, and is very well taken care of. He will be disciplined, however, because I feel along with good care a dog needs discipline, just like children, and NO I dont mistreat them either. You formed an incorrect opinion of me and jumped to the wrong conclusion. Yes, I could cover the top of the pen, but you must understand that it is a rather large pen and the chicken wire is only 48" tall. Therefore, I would have to make the entire enclosure tall enough for a human to enter and also cover the pen which measures about 100'x20' because it also doubles as a pen for my pot belly pig. It would be a rather pricey thing to do and considering the fact that I am helping to raise my grandchildren, the money would be better spent in other places. All the other dogs have been able to be taught to leave the chickens alone without being "ruined". Why would I be wrong to think this one cant learn? As far as for punishing him for a natural act, not every natural act is a good one, or one that should be tolerated. Humping is a natural act, would you allow a male dog to perform this "natural act" on company and expect your company to not mind it? Would you not try to teach your dog that this is unacceptable behaviour? What if this dog was chasing cats instead of chickens? Would your solution be to pen up the cats? What about my garden? Its natural for a dog to dig. Should he be taught this is inappropriate or should I not be allowed to have a garden because its natural for the dog to dig in it? I could give many more examples, but it all boils down to the fact that the dog needs to learn his boundaries, and I am only trying to find the best solution to a problem rather than covering the problem up, no pun intended. I apologize if I offended you or anyone else on this board, that was not my intention. Its possible this board is just not where I belong.
Brutus and Amaya's Mom
Boxer Insane
Kathy,
I hope you won't leave the board. Many times we have differing opinions and different thoughts. Sometimes email does not express the thoughts in the right tone or makes our responses sound worse than we mean.
I have found quite a few times where the board did not agree with my thoughts or particular method of training my dogs. Some people believe in alternative methods that they believe are best.
I can take their thoughts and know that I love my dogs but in order for me and my dogs to be happy things will be my way. My trainer always says, "If I tell you to do something you dont agree with dont do it. They are your dogs." I think we can share ideas and take away the info that helps you even though we may not always agree.
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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle
I hope you won't leave the board. Many times we have differing opinions and different thoughts. Sometimes email does not express the thoughts in the right tone or makes our responses sound worse than we mean.
I have found quite a few times where the board did not agree with my thoughts or particular method of training my dogs. Some people believe in alternative methods that they believe are best.
I can take their thoughts and know that I love my dogs but in order for me and my dogs to be happy things will be my way. My trainer always says, "If I tell you to do something you dont agree with dont do it. They are your dogs." I think we can share ideas and take away the info that helps you even though we may not always agree.
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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle
This time I had enough. I spanked him good, tied him to a post, dangled the chicken in front of him and whenever he sniffed or looked at it I got him again and left him tied for a couple hours. He then came in all quiet and sullen.
X X X X X X X X
Do I understand you to say, whenever he showed any interest in this dead and/or dying chicken you hit him again? Sorry, I feel you "set him up" and punished him for showing an interest in *food*.
I *DO* have a garden, which I care for very much. I *DO* have a cat, 18 years old. And I have had my young male "hump" a visitors leg.
I have taken steps to keep my dog out of the parts of the garden that matter the most. I have clapped my hands, yelled and removed him when he chased the cat as a young pup. And when he was inappropriate to a guest, I removed him from the behavior and put him on a leash tethered to a recliner so as not to do it again.
Using physical punishment does not work well at all on young Boxers - they are highly stoic and can take a lot of pain. It just doesn't register with them. What they care more about than anything in the world is being "with" their families, not being excluded. A 4 month old is at the height of his craziness - read the board and see how many people are at their wits end at this age. And all of us work with our dogs in a reasonable positive way. We don't tie them and hit them.
I realize I have made you mad - but you made me mad and upset with the way you are handling this problem. I guess we will just have to say we strongly disagree.
X X X X X X X X
Do I understand you to say, whenever he showed any interest in this dead and/or dying chicken you hit him again? Sorry, I feel you "set him up" and punished him for showing an interest in *food*.
I *DO* have a garden, which I care for very much. I *DO* have a cat, 18 years old. And I have had my young male "hump" a visitors leg.
I have taken steps to keep my dog out of the parts of the garden that matter the most. I have clapped my hands, yelled and removed him when he chased the cat as a young pup. And when he was inappropriate to a guest, I removed him from the behavior and put him on a leash tethered to a recliner so as not to do it again.
Using physical punishment does not work well at all on young Boxers - they are highly stoic and can take a lot of pain. It just doesn't register with them. What they care more about than anything in the world is being "with" their families, not being excluded. A 4 month old is at the height of his craziness - read the board and see how many people are at their wits end at this age. And all of us work with our dogs in a reasonable positive way. We don't tie them and hit them.
I realize I have made you mad - but you made me mad and upset with the way you are handling this problem. I guess we will just have to say we strongly disagree.
Hi Kathy
I'm afraid I have to agree with Nanabear. Physical punishment is not the way to train a boxer or any dog for that matter. All it does is make the dog afraid of you. Is that what you really want?
Rather than confine the chickens, maybe could restrain the dog. Tie him up with a long leash, that way he will still have some freedom and the chickens will have a chance to escape. Only allow him to be loose when he can be closely supervised. Try using a shake can to distract him whenever he shows any interest in the chickens and praise him when he ignores them. I think you have the right ideas of walking him and aroung the chickens on a leash, but try ignoring the bad behavior and praising the good, you will have more success that way.
Boxers are high energy dogs and need an outlet for their energy. If you don't want him it use up his energy chasing chickens you need to give him something else to do.
I hope you manage to work things out. Boxers are can be wonderful pets, but they need alot of training to get that way.
Good luck,
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Jan
Markus, dark brindle
neutered male, 6 yrs old
I'm afraid I have to agree with Nanabear. Physical punishment is not the way to train a boxer or any dog for that matter. All it does is make the dog afraid of you. Is that what you really want?
Rather than confine the chickens, maybe could restrain the dog. Tie him up with a long leash, that way he will still have some freedom and the chickens will have a chance to escape. Only allow him to be loose when he can be closely supervised. Try using a shake can to distract him whenever he shows any interest in the chickens and praise him when he ignores them. I think you have the right ideas of walking him and aroung the chickens on a leash, but try ignoring the bad behavior and praising the good, you will have more success that way.
Boxers are high energy dogs and need an outlet for their energy. If you don't want him it use up his energy chasing chickens you need to give him something else to do.
I hope you manage to work things out. Boxers are can be wonderful pets, but they need alot of training to get that way.
Good luck,
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Jan
Markus, dark brindle
neutered male, 6 yrs old
Krikkit
Boxer Insane
Kathy, another option would be to build a pen outside for your Boxer for the times you are unable to supervise him. This will also stop him from joining any other dog in a killing spree. Was the other dog a stray or visitor? If you plan on doing your training at home you may like to consider purchasing these books if he is your first Boxer:
CULTURE CLASH
by Donaldson
"Subtitle: A revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and domestic dogs. The author's work with her own dogs and those of her clients, combined behaviorists has led her to the realization that dogs probably learn exclusively through conditioning of various types. Understand the role of conditioning on a dog's intelligence & morality; predatory & social behavior; socialization, conflict resolution, fear & aggression; behavior problems & solutions."
SO YOUR DOG'S NOT LASSIE
by Fisher & Delzio
"The first book written especially for owners of hard-to-train breeds, this unique and helpful guide teaches the reader how to transform a hopelessly stubborn pooch into a prize-winning pet. Designed for owners of independent breeds whether they are seeking an obedient companion or a successful show dog. Outlines 8 traits that put dogs in the hard-to-train category, provides specific training techniques for overcoming them, using motivation such as body language, food and specially adapted training styles. "
They are available at most bookstores online, you can see the covers here: http://doggiedoor.com/bookstore/reviews.shtml
What is your Boxer's name?
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Sharon
Bella (Red&White 03.07.94) Layla (Brindle&White - 03.12.94) Ruben & Amy (Red&White littermates 15.09.98) Bo, Tess and Rebel in our hearts.
AgilityBoxer.Com
CULTURE CLASH
by Donaldson
"Subtitle: A revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and domestic dogs. The author's work with her own dogs and those of her clients, combined behaviorists has led her to the realization that dogs probably learn exclusively through conditioning of various types. Understand the role of conditioning on a dog's intelligence & morality; predatory & social behavior; socialization, conflict resolution, fear & aggression; behavior problems & solutions."
SO YOUR DOG'S NOT LASSIE
by Fisher & Delzio
"The first book written especially for owners of hard-to-train breeds, this unique and helpful guide teaches the reader how to transform a hopelessly stubborn pooch into a prize-winning pet. Designed for owners of independent breeds whether they are seeking an obedient companion or a successful show dog. Outlines 8 traits that put dogs in the hard-to-train category, provides specific training techniques for overcoming them, using motivation such as body language, food and specially adapted training styles. "
They are available at most bookstores online, you can see the covers here: http://doggiedoor.com/bookstore/reviews.shtml
What is your Boxer's name?
------------------
Sharon
Bella (Red&White 03.07.94) Layla (Brindle&White - 03.12.94) Ruben & Amy (Red&White littermates 15.09.98) Bo, Tess and Rebel in our hearts.
AgilityBoxer.Com
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