Hi there,
I live up in Northern Maine and the weather is getting nicer, so we have been spending time outdoors. We still have snow on the ground, but with the warmer weather, we also have some brown patches too. With this warmer weather, we've been letting the chickens out ... and Hex, our 7 month old Boxer Mix puppy is fascinated by them! And so, she is leashed when outside ... either in a stationary area or held by me (which is hard when chasing a 1 and a half year old toddler as well)
Anyway, I could really use some tips on how to keep her from chasing the chickens (which are free range) and in ignoring the goats (which are behind a chain link fence). We are bound to get pigs and sheep at some point too, so, we want her to leave the farm animals be.
I've been doing some leash training with her when we go for walks. I tug twice on the leash and she tends to (most times) relax her pull. sometimes she goes crazy and attacks the leash. Usually that is when in our yard or when we start walking down the driveway or return to the driveway. Our walks are long because I spend a lot of time stopping and saying sit when she gets a little out of hand. But on the actual walk, I have seen some improvement.
So when I have her in the yard with the free range chickens, I try to bring us near them so she is aware of them, but not close enough to actually reach them (I don't want to hurt the chickens). I try the sit and stay with her. I try the calling her name and the come command. The sit works best initially, but sometimes its too much.
I also have been trying to bring her into the barn with me as well. But that's a lot harder.
My husband is not super fond of the pup. He didn't want a puppy and he didn't want a dog in winter. (Why he agreed then is beyond me. I didn't choose that this was the dog that we had to go see. But once we saw her, I wanted to bring her home.) But he says to me that if we can get her to stop chasing the chickens, then he'll ease up on me. And so ... He's trying to give me time each day to work with Hex.
So, what things can I do to help improve walking on a leash and most importantly ... to get her to stop chasing chickens?
Once I get her to walk loose on a leash, I am going to work at heal. I don't like that she is in front of me when we walk. Sometimes I really think this dog thinks she's alpha dog and that's where some of our issues stem. Sometimes I think she's just puppy. Why do I think alpha? because she likes to rush thru doors and I am spending a good deal of time correcting her, making her sit, trying to get out the door (or in it) before she does.
Also, how long should I expect it to take to get her to stop chasing chickens?
Any thoughts and help are appreciated. thanks.
Kerowyn
