Chickens for bug control and food recycling.

[Smart Red]

I have had the same experience with DS's two great Danes. They watch each other as they run rather then where they are going and as such huge animals, they can do serious damage at times.

Especially when DH is around, the dogs need to be reminded to watch their manners or run far away from where we are.

 

[Beekissed]

Ben will do that to little Aliza on occasion...I'm training on that. He doesn't do it to me, so I know he can avoid doing it but he does it to her because she's little and he doesn't respect her...yet. He will.

She's a tough little nut and actually seems to like it when he knocks her down, but I don't appreciate it at all. My mother is 81 and a tiny person, so this whole knocking against people as you play is just not acceptable. It brings out the mama bear in me, much like dogs jumping up on people.

When you correct people's dogs for this the people always get this outraged look on their face, as if you had spanked one of their children. My sister has a GD and a Newfie cross and both are prone to jump up on the door of vehicles and scratch the paint with their nails, lean or bump my mother almost off her feet. Well...they USED to do all that. I corrected them on it one time when I visited...just poked them in the ribs with a single finger and gave my usual "AAAAaaattt!" sound, then backed them down and away from the truck and Mom. They responded immediately and didn't do it again, but now when we visit, my sister will put her dogs in the basement. She'd rather remove them altogether than have them be disciplined by anyone. And that one little, gentle correction was all it took as the dogs are smart, but she didn't like it.

I guess she'd rather they damage Mom's truck or Mom instead of getting a correction for unruly, impolite behavior.

 

[Nyboy]

Bee I know that outraged look well, Drives me crazy when dog is leaping all over people and owner does nothing. Once had a large St. Poodle leaping all over a client dealing with breast caner. The owner was laughing saying he " Likes you" I ripped the leash out of owner hands, when the dog leap up, I pulled leash so hard dog did back flip. Owner stood there with mouth open I said not everyone thinks your misbehaved dog is cute.

 

[Beekissed]

I would have loved to see that!!! Did they remain your clients? I don't know why it is that people think that's okay. I was blessed out on another forum when I was teaching this new pup not to put his paw up on people....those folks said this is how this breed "shows affection" and to not let them do that is akin to not letting one's husband try to kiss them and show them affection. Say what????

Big paws, sharp claws, muddy footprints...one swipe of that and my Ma's old skin will tear like paper, leaving a gaping wound contaminated with dog paw dirt. Doesn't seem like a kiss to me. Needless to say, this pup does NOT greet people with a paw.

People come out to visit and the first thing they do is pat their legs, inviting this dog to put his paws up there...what is WITH that??? So I find myself having to correct the human and then do my training all over again.

And don't get me started on little yip, yip dogs....people think it's an absolute MUST for them to put their paws up on your leg to greet you. Not necessary. At all. Annoys the sugar out of me.

 

[Nyboy]

Yep they are still clients. I love the statement he is playing. People have strange ideas of what is play !!!

 

[ninnymary]

As someone who is afraid of dogs, jumping on you and yipping is very scary for me. Today we went walking at a regional park that had a sign that all dogs had to be on a leash. Well we encountered 4 dogs with owners that were not on leashes. They were running around like crazy. I just froze when the ran by me. Not everyone finds their antics amusing. I do have a lot of respect for owners and their pets when they are very well behaved.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Bee I know that outraged look well, Drives me crazy when dog is leaping all over people and owner does nothing. Once had a large St. Poodle leaping all over a client dealing with breast caner. The owner was laughing saying he " Likes you" I ripped the leash out of owner hands, when the dog leap up, I pulled leash so hard dog did back flip. Owner stood there with mouth open I said not everyone thinks your misbehaved dog is cute.

Go NYboy! That's awesome!

I have some clients with a little JRT mix who will stand up against your leg.
He's little and not muddy but I still think it's rude behavior so I just pop my knee forward and he gets off. This apparently is not an acceptable behavior on my part.
She told me, "Oh, we just turn our back to him when he does that".
Well that seems to be working out great for you, I responded.

Now she picks him up and carries him around when I come over for a consultation. Afraid I'll damage his sensitive little psyche I guess.

 

[thistlebloom]

As someone who is afraid of dogs, jumping on you and yipping is very scary for me. Today we went walking at a regional park that had a sign that all dogs had to be on a leash. Well we encountered 4 dogs with owners that were not on leashes. They were running around like crazy. I just froze when the ran by me. Not everyone finds their antics amusing. I do have a lot of respect for owners and their pets when they are very well behaved.

Mary

I laughed when I read that Mary! I know what you were saying, but sometimes it seems like it's the numnutz owners that need the leashes.

 

[ninnymary]

Bee I know that outraged look well, Drives me crazy when dog is leaping all over people and owner does nothing. Once had a large St. Poodle leaping all over a client dealing with breast caner. The owner was laughing saying he " Likes you" I ripped the leash out of owner hands, when the dog leap up, I pulled leash so hard dog did back flip. Owner stood there with mouth open I said not everyone thinks your misbehaved dog is cute.

I loved this! Glad you stood up for that client. I'm sure she very much appreciated it.

Mary

 

[Beekissed]

Ben, the new chicken dog, is now 7 mo. old and has been a dream to train for chicken guarding and basic commands. He's learned everything with lightning speed and retains it well...I can't even begin to tell you all the things he's learned in the 5 mo. he's been here. A good, gentle, calm, sweet and intelligent dog, is Ben.

I trust him completely with the chickens and have trusted him with them since the first month he was here. He's not laid a tooth on a chicken, nor has he attempted to chase one. He was breaking up the matings, gently but firmly nudging the rooster off the hens, until I corrected him on it and he's not done it since.

Now Jake gets rest at night, while Ben guards. Ben, just like Jake, is a quiet dog and rarely ever barks. I love that about him! We really enjoy our quiet little woodland homestead and a barking dog would just ruin all of that. I've only heard him bark a few warning barks a handful of times at night since he's been here...he has a deep, melodic bark.

That's my update on a very integral part of our homestead here, the chicken dogs...without them, we would not even attempt to have chickens out here in the boonies.

Ben...helped me today with all my chores, took his pic.

Laying is increasing...it's that time of year. Almost time for breeding, then brooding, then chicks!!!!