German Shepherd owners...*update*more pics

[DTchickens]

My german shepherd is still a pup.. about 10 months old. he used to kill chickens but after a few months.. He leaves them alone MOST OF THE TIME.. occasionally he'll chase them for a short distance just for the fun of it (But never one in pens, only ones that run the yard). and then stop. Especially if you say the word "No!" or "Nein" (Im teaching him german commands, since im trying to learn german as well

) But he knows english commands from parents.

He's a great dog though even if he does have his moment...Running into the house, Cars, trees etc.. Chasing his tail or bugs that fly around his head... chasing chickens every now and then. Basically still being a puppy.

But when i walk outside he stops whatever he's doing, runs and sits down in front of me. we walk and he stays beside me all the way, if he walks off "Roman" (Doesn't even have to be loud) and he comes running back.

Except yesterday, yesterday i was going for my walk and my great uncles dog (Which has chased me before) came up behind me, never even heard him until he sneezed, i turn around and talk to him friendly because he wasn't showing any aggressiveness. Roman runs over to meet him.. Acting happy. Then he changes, they both raise their hair and just stare. I keep walking when the blue dog (Blue heeler cross) tries to walk (towards me sort of), Roman jumps at him slightly (Not much really just enough to get the dogs attention) They stay there.. i've walked probably 5-10 feet away, Call roman a few times.. He wants to move but stays there between me and the dog until i get 20-30 feet away, immediately changes back into his self and catches up with me, other dog goes home.

Really made my heart race yesterday

. Seeing the dog and knowing he chased me did nothing, if he came for me i was prepared to kill him. But my dog which is still a "puppy" ran over to him.. That's when it started racing, and i just knew i was about to have to pull 2, 2 and a half feet-3 feet tall dogs apart, Both being close to 90-100 lbs... By myself. Either way though i believe he'll mature into a fine dog..


ETA: my grandfather has a german shepherd as well, Cop bloodlines.. She's a real great dog and all but when they had chickens if she could she'd pull them through the wire, i think she stopped though after a little bit of training, but if they got out she'd eat them.

 

[Kyfila]

I never had a German Shepherd until my husband bought us one last year. What a fabulous dog! I show rare breeds so at first I was like "O.K. a 'common' German Shepherd big deal" She is so wonderful around the kids, cats, other dogs and I just accidently found out the chickens too! I left the gate open she wondered in was in the chicken yard for 10 mins before I noticed her and was fine with the chicks and the chickens!!! What a Blessing! Ten mins doesn't seem like long BUT let one of my others alone in the chicken yard for 10 mins and all I would have left would be chicken corpses! My 6 lb toy poodle is the worst! His record is 6 confirmed Kills! Get a German Shepherd they are great dogs!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

GSDs do fine with chickens. It is best to purchase a puppy and then raise it around the chickens. Any interest in the chickens can be nipped in the bud before you have a 100lb dog bent on playing with the chickens.

Because GSDs are rarely bred for herding anymore, you don't have to worry about that overwhelming urge to herd. I love GSDs and I have had them around chickens plenty of times. It just takes a little bit of training, which is easier with pups but not impossible with adults. It is a bit harder with adults, especially if they are set in their ways.

Get a pup, and scold any chasing or over-interest in the birds at an early age. It may be cute watching that bundle of fur chasing chickens at first, but don't allow it. Nip it in the bud and go on, you won't have an issue.

-Kim

 

[sunket77]

OMG!! what beautiful dogs you have!!!

I can't explain how much I love this breed, I miss my Chelsea so much! I will never get an older GSD, we tried TWICE from the same person who got fed up with her dogs and decided she didn't want them. You just can't do that with GS's they get attached and then if you re-home them they have anxiety issues. And a 100 lb dog with anxiety issues is no picnic! We couldn't leave the house or we wouldn't have one when we got back! One we tried to crate train because he was tearing up the door when he left. I borrowed my sisters very large open crate she used for her charpei (sp?). He demolished the metal crate and tore up the front door!

So if we get one it will def. be a pup!

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Go to search at the top of the page and put in "ruth" as author. THey will come up. Here is one of them:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=36944

 

[espressola]

We have two GSD's, and neither was raised as a pup with chickens- we only got the chickens/guineas a couple of years ago, and our GSD's are 6 and 7. One is disinterested in the birds, the female is a good guardian- she watches over them from our back porch when they are freeranging. Our 1 yr old aussie who has been raised with the chickens from a pup, is VERY interested in them. He is free with them but I don't let him out unsupervised very often.. he will chase them a little bit and has not bitten one, but I'm not taking a chance. He has had some obedience training, which I definitely think helps, and we are continuing with his training (the others are trained too). I do love our German Shedders though- they are wonderful dogs!
Patty N. ;-)

 

[Wolf-Kim]

A well trained dog is a happy dog.

Training is such an important factor of keeping and raising dogs. people often neglect this factor and think that all a dog needs is food, water, and shelter. It burns me up to hear people spend money to purchase a dog and then claim they haven't the money to train it. I think it falls under the rules of "if you can't afford it, you shouldn't have it". To me training is as important if not more important than food, water, and shelter.

It kills me to see dogs tied out to trees or banned to the backyard with little or no human interaction simply because they are too overwhelming for their humans. Yes, some dogs can be trained at home, but when are people going to admit that they need a pro and have the dog truly trained.

Ah, sorry for this mini rant. A well trained, obediant dog is the happiest dog in the world. Why? Because they are pleasant to be around, therefor they recieve more opportunity to be around people and play and interact.

People get overwhelmed and the dogs get punished for never being taught in the first place and end up in the pounds, so their last own can get a new dog and repeat the cycle.

Wow, just had to get that out. It really didn't have a whole lot to do with this thread either. LOL


-Kim

 

[sunket77]

Oh I agree completely! If a dog is not trained to know whats right and wrong how can we expect them to do so? Kinda like kids!! I am a firm believer in training up children and sadly there so many parents out there who do nothing and then get embarrassed (maybe) when their kid acts crazy in public! Same with dogs!

 

[citrusdreams]

I love mine. I have two and they are good with the chickens. One of them liked to chase them as a puppy, but he never injured one, and he outgrew it. The chickens free range with the dogs out, and the dogs come and go (house and yard) as they please, and have access to the open henhouse and chicken run.

I don't bother watching them with the chickens anymore. They're great with them. One thing I found amusing is that the younger chickens used to run out in front of the dogs when I play fetch with them. Chickens playing chicken I guess.

 

[Uppity Peon]

They are great dogs and could be a very good choice.

I like the way Caesar Milan works with dogs. He knows how to correct their behavior with subtle messages that dogs understand. The key to training any dog is making sure you are seen as the dominant alpha member of the pack. You have to be very consistent. You can be gentle and loving with your dog while still maintaining the leadership role. For example, never allow your dog to be first one out the door.

Here is one of my favorite vids: