Terrorizing Chickens

by Charles Brunson
(Blanchard, OK)

We just aquired a 2 1/2 yr old male whom we named Boomer. He has discovered the chickens in my coupe and now he will go out there and do circles around them and bark at them which is terrifying the chickens. We have had a female 4 yr old for a little over a yr, and we have never had this problem with her - she will not go within 10 feet of the chicken coupe.

What is a good way to stop him from doing this?

Thank You for your suggestions.


Response from Golden-Retriever-Magic:

Hi Charles,

Thanks for your question. Sounds like Boomer is have quite a lot of fun at the expense of your chickens!

Unfortunately, aside from restricting his access to the area near the chicken coupe, it isn't going to be easy to keep Boomer away from his new "friends."

One thought is to get an invisible dog fence. These fences seem to generally work well. A technician usually comes to your home and buries some wire underground. Once the wire is placed around the area you do not want your dog to visit, you set up a transmitter box in your home and a receiver collar around your dog's neck.

The transmitter connects to the hidden wires and when your dog gets too close to the wire, a shock is delivered. Usually, a beeping or buzzing sound is heard first. Your dog will soon be trained to the sound and will likely be able to avoid the shock altogether (and in the process, he will avoid the area surrounded by the wire).

Remember that electric dog fences are not meant to harm or hurt your pet in any way. The shock is usually quite minor, enough to irritate your pooch so he learns to stay away from the area you don't want him to be in.

Aside from the fence, Charles, positive and negative reinforcements are very good techniques. That is simply to be watchful when you let Boomer out in the yard and reprimand him verbally when he goes to the coupe and praise him heartily (and with treats) when he does not. This is more painstaking as you have to monitor his every move, but a much less expensive solution.

Good Luck.