Puppy chasing hens

L1985

Hi guys.looking for some genuine help here but I don't want anyone jumping down my throat either.we got a new shepdog puppy. We were told she was three months but I'd guess closer to 5/6 months. We have always had sheepdogs and althou she is meant to be a working dog she will be treated the same as the Labrador as a family pet.
Problem is she's v nervy and I am working on that with her even getting her to come up to me in the yard is something im working on but you can pet her no probs in front of the fire. Now we have a big issue I was suspicious she was chasing the hens during the week but wasnt sure. I caught her today and she had a hen cornered and had pulled feathers off it. This is a serious issue for us as our hens are all free range.i shouted at her and tried to grab her to put her to bed but I don't think he realised why I was shouting and by the time I locked her in I'd say she has forgotten what she was doing. She is so nervy I hate shouting at her but we have to nip the hen worrying in the bud.dads at home with her all day but he can't get near her at all yet and can't even lock her up If he is going off to protect the hens.any advice?im off for the bank holiday so it would be the perfect time to train her....she's a lovely dog and I'd hate to have to rehome her!!!

aonb

as I see it you have TWO problems. 1. New nervous puppy needs to get used to family, settle in and be handled. 2. Nervous puppy is a herder breed, but you want to train her NOT to worry the hens...

Tricky - once you have her comfortable with being handled, and no longer nervous of you, only then training could start. I dont think you can train a puppy who is too nervous of you to be handled. Do you see what I mean - you cant train a puppy who is scared and nervous and in a new home/family?

If she were mine, I would first get her settled and comfortable and work on her nervousness. She may always be a nervous type - collie types often are. While that is going on, when she is outdoors you will have to either put her on a long line, or secure her in a fenced in area. Is she going to be an indoors dog? She can only be allowed outside the house on a leash, put onto a long line, or taken by leash into the fenced in area...

Ive trained all my dogs to leave the hens alone - my hens all free range - some of the dogs had no issue with the hens, but the terriers I put on a leash, brought the pup amongst the hens, when he went to snap/lunge at the hens I pulled him back sharply (with a harness on!) and said loud/firm NO! When he walked past or ignored a hen, he got a treat. Eventually i could leave the dogs wander freely with the hens - they ignored them totally. This didnt happen overnight though

If she is going to be a working dog she will hopefully be kept busy and worked enough to ignore the hens - shes new and is bored and the hens are there to be herded... When does she start work training? Will your dad do the work training? He needs to get handling her and settling her in and getting her used to you all...

Good luck!

L1985

Thanks for reply and your completely right.shes a herder although ironically she's still petrified of cattle which is something we need to work on her with. We only have her a week and she's starting to get socialised but it's a gradual thing. I generally train the dogs as my dad hasn't the patience. I have been taking it slowly with her as she's so nervy I can't put her on the lead yet!! She is v v smart thou and knows when you want to pet her and when you want to catch her.she isn't motivated by food or treats either which makes it harder. She won't be full time working but would be following my dad around the yard etc when she's not (that's what our other dogs did generally) she is a mix of in door and out door.not allowed in until the evening and sleeps in her own house at bedtime. I think I'll have to start using the long cord during the day for the moment although it breaks my heart locking her in so much! I'd say if the Labrador would play with her she'd be delighted but he sees her as a nuisance-he's too old!!really hope we can stop this as today worried me.there is no malice meant as she's playing but it's a serious issue.

aonb

Yes, major problem - you cant have her killing a hen... We had a sheepdog (rescue) who was afraid of his shadow, but never touched a hen.

Yes, your problem is HOW to train her to know that the hens are off limits. Well you have 3 days with her.... How about this - put her on a long leash, and tie the leash around your waist. Walk her for as long as you can bear it, all day long, off and on, amongst the hens, around the property, talking to her constantly. I did this with a lurcher who nearly broke my heart, but he ended up being really ok, and went on to being really easy. Im sure he was sick of me - the weather was better than now, but I would read my book, and stroll around the place, plonk a deckchair near the hens and sit there, do some digging with him tied to me :cool: This would help with her to bond with you, and you can work on her not chasing/lunging at the hens. How about a ball or a chew or a tug toy for a reward when she behaves if she isnt interested in food treats

L1985

Good idea but we are still on baby steps with the leash-when I out it on her she gets rooted to the earth and won't walk.I think she was tied up a lot in her first home and doesn't realise leashes can move.tomorrow I might try leaving it loose on her I'll be outside all day so being with her isnt a problem. Thanks for all the good suggestions thou and I I'll get her some more chew toys-she has one for inside as a not my iPad cable distraction!!but I'll get her some fun ones for outside as well that can keep her busy as long as the lab doesn't rob them.he doesn't want them himself just goes off and buries them😏.
They are really good suggestions you gave me that will hopefully fit in with our lifestyle.shes such a sweet pub it's just getting that balance!! She loves it here as well you should see her tearing around the wood she was going 90 v funny!!