Chickens!!!!

[ScarlettLady]

My little Collie X JRT loves to chase the hens and chickens on our farm!
This morning though he killed a baby chicken any tips to stop him chasing them?
He is much much better than he used to be, and some days won't even bother with them
Any help would be fab
Thank you

 

[CorvusCorax]

You need to keep on top of him, he won't automatically know right from wrong, I'd do lots of focus training both at home and on the farm so that looking at you as opposed to chickens, other dogs, people etc is rewarded with a treat, play or praise and making to zone out/chase/fixate is met with verbal reprimand or a lead check.
I would also invest in a long line so you can work on distance control but still have a hold of him if he does decide to tank off.

Be aware that it will be in his DNA from both sides to chase small furry things so it is a matter of over-riding that by teaching him that looking and listening to you results in fun and stimulation rather than him making his own fun.

 

[ScarlettLady]

Thanks, like i say hes much better than he used to be, but think I'll try the long line on the farm, and whilst around the chicks (don't know why I hadn't thought of that). really working on him getting focussed on me at the moment anyway so hopefully time will improve it.

Re. the chasing small furry things, this is starting to come out at puppy class now towards a yorkshire terrier puppy who is infactuated with him, unfortunately he just thinks longtail very embarrassing, haven't had the heart to tell the owner yet though that the reason he barks at his puppy is because he doesn't think its a puppy

Thank you for your reply

 

[CorvusCorax]

No worries, and BTW I had to check to see where you were from, after you used a certain word, and I was correct

If you want to go up to the search bar and type in 'focus training' you can find some long rambles from me and helpful advice from other people on holding his attention

 

[Rosehip]

Im no help as such, just wanted to say that I had a jrt x collie as a rescue puppy, we lost him 7 years ago. He was wonderful with all things tiny, he even assisted the cat when she had her litter!
We called him Nurse Jack at lambing time as he would snuggle, lick and look after any poorly lambs, and was best friends with Jim my elderly guinea pig!
he did have a thing about chasing wasps/flies/bees etc, and tried to chase rabbits but was a tad too slow!
Keep up the work on focusing on you, hopefully its just a puppy phase! x

 

[ScarlettLady]

No worries, and BTW I had to check to see where you were from, after you used a certain word, and I was correct

Ha yes sorry I can't bring myself to type it even!
Thanks for your help I'll have a skeet now!!

Rosehip, he's adorable a total accident we didn't even know that the collie was pregnant, and all the pups are totally different! He definately has the best of both breeds!
And because both mum and dad are my uncles dogs he gets to play with them every day he's twice the size of daddy and half the size of mummy

Thank you