[Youme Webark]

I have two dogs, a beagle and a labrador, both of them are three. I've got four chickens.

The new coop is a little bit too close to my house. The chickens are bantams, so they can fly up on the tree. The beagle would usually ignore the chickens. The labrador however, bark at the chickens and jumping at the tree.

I tried to draw her attention away from the chicken with her favourite toy but she ignores me. I also tried to use head halter to pull her away to somewhere else. I tried using the head halter inside for a couple of days before I use it with her outsite. When we first went outside with the head halter I tried to pull her away to the opposite direction where the chickens are. She torn the halter apart and ran striaght to the chickens (may be I didn't use it properly?).

I have not tried making my dog sniff at the chickens' buttoms though. :mrgreen:

[cigwyllt]

It sounds like you have upset the balance of everything by moving the coop. Is there any reason why it can't be moved further away again? Sadly though you may have to accept that now that the dog's interest has been sparked he may never want to live peaceably with them again and you will just have to manage the situation.

[Todd]

You could try purchasing an electric fencing system put artound the perimeters of the coop. If moving the coop or purchasing an electrical fencing system is not an option, I'd recommend establishing yourself as the alpha with your labrador to start off. This way the dog will respect you and your commands and will be more inclined to adhire to your commands to stay away from the chickens.

Becoming the Alpha Dog - Help For Owners of Older Dogs

After this is established, start incorporating some training practices such as having the lab sit and stay at a certain distance from the chiken coop. Firmly give him a verbal correction/take him back to his original starting position if he disobeys you. Reward him for obeying you with positive reinforcement such as toys and treats. Eventually he should understand that he is not able to go past a certain point near the chicken coop and problem solved.

[Youme Webark]

Thank you cigwyllt and Todd,

Yes I should work on her recall. Right now she only responds to me when she is not fully distracted. So my only chance is to call her before she sees the chickens. Now that she'd run stright to the coop as soon as she got out, I cannot do anything.

The chickens are safe inside the coop but the lab would be barking and running around the coop. Is it a bad idea if I just let her run around the coop until she realize that she can never get to the chicken?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Youme Webark

Thank you cigwyllt and Todd,

Yes I should work on her recall. Right now she only responds to me when she is not fully distracted. So my only chance is to call her before she sees the chickens. Now that she'd run stright to the coop as soon as she got out, I cannot do anything.

The chickens are safe inside the coop but the lab would be barking and running around the coop. Is it a bad idea if I just let her run around the coop until she realize that she can never get to the chicken?

probably not. She'll see it more as a game than anything else. My cat used to chase laser lights every day and never really catch anything. She never gave it a second thought though when I brand it out. The chased it all over the house.

[Youme Webark]

thank you Todd

[Lara's mom]

My friend next door rescues injured pigeons and My two Jacks just know that Karin's birds are "off limits." I have no idea why but none of my dogs will harm a feather on their heads. In fact, they have led her to sick birds on a number of occasions.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

My friend next door rescues injured pigeons and My two Jacks just know that Karin's birds are "off limits." I have no idea why but none of my dogs will harm a feather on their heads. In fact, they have led her to sick birds on a number of occasions.

Hey! That is really ! Especially since this breed loves to hunt and will chase just about anything that moves! (quoted from my book on breeds) You have smart caring little buggers there!