a friend of mine has two labs and poultry they get along fine...her dogs are useless as guard dogs they really just ignore them,it's more the great dane half I'm unsure of...
can't afford a GS unfortunately,a fab dog i had one years ago...don't know what to do,somebody out there must have a labradane and chickens!
thanks for all this amazing advice, if i decide to get this dog i will follow your advice and do some long term intensive training,unfortunately LGD dogs are rarely available here in Ireland and when they are it's for huge money that i just don't have. So it looks like I won't ever be able to leave the dog alone with the chickens but even if I could get her to a stage where she could be around them with me that would be great, thanks again, don't know how I ever coped without backyard chickens!it's hard to say which breed she will take after more so you need to start training early. I'd train her just like any other breed of dog.
Do you plan to leave her alone outside? If so, I wouldn't recommend any dog except one of a LGD breed. Both lab and great dane pups can be destructive without lots of exercise and supervision.
here is my cut/paste of how to train dogs to be good around the chickens. Since she is a young pup, you are looking at LEAST 2 years before I would even think of leaving her unsupervised without you being in full sight of her. Both breeds are puppies and a bit crazy acting (even the well-trained ones!) until they are 2 or more. Too great a chance that she will try to play with the birds and end up squishing one accidentally.
You already know that he is excited with the chicks. Find the closest distance that the dog first notices the birds in the brooder. This might be in another room if he is one to constantly glance at the door. Put your dog on leash and get some extra special treats that he only gets for this work - bacon, grilled chicken (no spices!), hot dog chunks, etc. When the dog glances toward the birds, say his name and "leave it" If he looks at you, give him a treat - if he doesn't, give a light pop on the leash (think tap on the shoulder). When he looks at you reward him.
You can also teach him "watch me" the same way. You can practice this at random times though out the day. If you have a couple extra minutes while you're watching TV or whatever, just say his name, pause, "watch me" When he makes eye contact, then reward him. You can also (if you get in the habit of keeping a small treat in your pockets) catch him looking towards you say "watch me" and then reward. Or just praise him verbally.
Once the dog is reliably paying attention to you and the birds at a distance, move a little bit closer. If he absolutely blows you off, you're too close. Just back up a bit and begin again. Eventually you will be right amongst the birds. You can then start at a distance or with a long line (20' leash or so) and work from there. I never ever leave my dogs/chickens loose unattended together.
I don't even trust Rayden
I don't mean I constantly hover over the dogs when they are out with the birds, but I am in the area and aware of what they are doing. Think of it as a small child. Even though you've taught them not to play with matches, would you leave them alone in the house with matches scattered all over the floor?
The most important part of the training is to set the dog up to succeed. Don't give him a chance to chase the birds. Don't give him a chance to disobey.
ETA: The best thing about teaching "leave it" is that it works for everything. Drop something on the floor and don't want the dogs to touch it? "leave it" See dog running toward a snake? "leave it" Lots of training and work, but it pays off!
Of course, some dogs just can't be trusted off-leash. Period. They are just too focused on the birds. In that case, just confine the dog when the birds are out.
I totally agree with you, I'm not paying for this pup,contacted an animal rescue charity about adopting one from them and was told about them,apparently a stupid accident,the owners put off for too long spaying the dane...
