This is the system that I use for how to train dogs around chickens. We’re not experts, so we always recommend asking the pros for the best advice. This post contains affiliate links, which may lead to a commission if purchased. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
How To Train Dogs Around Chickens
We’ve had so many requests for a video or blog post about how to train dogs around chickens. Frankly, I’ve been dreading writing this post because I’m not sure that I can accurately communicate how to train dogs around chickens through a screen. This is one of those super hands-on topics, that doesn’t necessarily have a numerical ordered list of steps to follow. However, I will do my best! Any one of these steps may take anywhere from mere minutes, to months, but they are what worked for our dogs and our girls. (We also made a YouTube video on this topic, too!)
Steps We Took For How To Train A Dog Around Chickens
- Establish respect from the dog
- Utilize distance and a leash to desensitize the dog to chickens
- Keep moving if the dog is fixating
- Take time. Lots of it.
- Gradually decrease the amount of space between dog and chickens
- Frequent, short sessions are better than occasional, lengthy sessions
- Use caution with treats
- Read the dog
- Supervise, supervise, supervise
Establish Respect From The Dog
The first step is to establish a base of respect from the dog. In my book, it’s not time to move forward with how to train dogs around chickens if the dog is demonstrating any of the following.
- Regularly pulling on the leash
- Not respecting the handler’s space (doesn’t move out of the way when asked to)
- Inconsistent recall
- Aggression towards handler of any kind
If I’m working with a dog who is demonstrating any of the above, the first step is to rewind and establish a base of respect from the dog. My favorite way to do this is by going on walks. In my experience, dogs learn best while physically moving, and teaching leash manners during walks is a fantastic place to start.
While establishing a solid base of respect isn’t the most exciting part of how to train a dog around chickens, some may argue that it is the most important. With a solid, respectful foundation from a dog, the subsequent steps will be much more smooth.
Utilize Distance and Leash To Desensitize Dog To Chickens
The key word here is “desensitization”. My goal, when approaching how to train dogs around chickens, is to desensitize the dog to the chickens’ presence. In other words, my goal is to have the dog ignore the chickens. (After the ignoring phase, my dogs are allowed to start interacting with chickens in a calm manner.) In order to get the dogs to ignore the chickens, I need to make the chickens unexciting. I do this by exposing the leashed dog to the chickens’ presence, moving past the birds at a distance. If the dog displays excited behavior, I continue to walk back and forth, past the chicken, at a distance. Excited behavior might include any of the following.
- Pulling on the leash, towards the chicken
- Barking at the chicken
- Tense body language directed at the chicken
Keep Moving If The Dog Is Fixating
If the dog is in an excited state of mind, I increase the distance between the dog and the chicken, and continue to move the dog around. Keeping a dog at a standstill will usually only tempt the dog to fixate on the chicken more. I encourage movement, which may include walking back and forth, moving in circles, having the dog step forward/back up, etc.. The goal is to get the dog more focused on me, on movement, or on any other surroundings, other than the chicken. I like to use treats and toys as a last resort. In my experience, treats and toys often serve to further excite the dog, rather than bring him/her to a place of calm. But some dogs may need them!
Take Time. Lots of It. Learning How To Train Dogs Around Chickens Isn’t A Race.
Once the dog is clearly not focused on the chicken, we may close the distance between the dog and chicken slightly, and repeat the movement process. This should be done over the course of weeks, not a single training session. Eventually, the goal is to get to a place where you can walk past a chicken, with no tension on the leash, and with the dog paying little to no attention to the chicken. Learning how to train dogs around chickens is a marathon, not a sprint.
Gradually Decrease the Amount Of Space Between Dog & Chickens
As mentioned above, when I see that the dog is not excited by the chicken’s presence from a distance, I gradually decrease the amount of distance between the dog. I do not do this by walking towards the chicken with the dog. This would be a predatory message to the dog, which we do not want to send. Instead, I would circle around at a distance, and close the gap without allowing the dog to walk directly towards the chicken. Think similar to winding up or down a mountain, instead of driving straight to the peak. Does that make sense? (Hopefully it makes more sense in our video demonstration!)
Frequent, Short Sessions Are Better Than Occasional, Lengthy Ones
Rather than one long training session per day, I like to utilize frequent (2-3+ per day), short training sessions (5-10 minutes) instead. I find this reduces burnout on the dog’s end, as well as makes the practice “routine”, and less exciting. It may seem like a lot now, but it goes by quickly, and the reward of a safe dog is so worth it in the long run!
Use Caution With Treats
I’m not going to say that I’m against treat training. I will say that I don’t like to use it as a first resort, especially with behavior conditioning. Some dogs will benefit from treat training or distraction. Many dogs, however, will not fully process the training taking place if they are constantly distracted by treats. Use your best judgement. If you’re not getting anywhere with the leash, and your dog is in a crazy state of mind no matter how far you are from chickens, introducing treats might be worth a try. Make sure they’re good treats (think something like leftover steak, instead of dry cereal) to really get the dog’s attention. You’ll be surprised what a difference a good treat makes over a bad one!
The reason I avoid using treats with most dogs is because, often times, treats will further excite a dog when it really needs to be calmed. Desensitized. Unstimulated. I always try first without treats, and if need be, introduce them sparingly for distraction at key moments.
Read The Dog
If the dog is left unsupervised or let off leash too soon, disaster is imminent. There is no specific amount of leash training time that will guarantee a chicken-safe dog. If you’re unfamiliar with dog behavior or cues, it’s time to read up on dog psychology. Here are cues that I look for when a dog is leashed in close proximity to a chicken, before moving on to the next step.
- Relaxed ears; neither pricked forward, nor pulled back in stress
- Relaxed eyes; not fixated on anything chicken-related. Ideally, eyes will be gently, casually fixated on me, the handler
- Plenty of slack in the leash
- Calm willingness to follow handler on leash, without needing leash tension
- Obedient to verbal corrections and cues such as “leave it” and “come”
It is important to make sure the dog is in a calm, relaxed state of mind before attempting to remove the leash. This is a huge part of learning how to train dogs around chickens.
Remove Leash When Appropriate
I always use extreme caution with this step! If the first steps have been done appropriately, this is pretty uneventful. The dog shouldn’t change its behavior while the leash is off. Personally, I prefer to do this closer to the chickens, because if I take the leash off far away and the dog bolts toward the chickens, she’ll get to them a lot faster than I will. From here, I continue to practice walking and heeling with the dog, correcting any fixating or obsessive behavior toward the chickens. I’m not opposed to using treats during/after this step, too, to further solidify in the dog’s mind that the chickens are “unexciting”. Ideally, the dog will casually follow me around the yard while I am eventually able to focus on other tasks. This is a great time for lots of calm pets, belly rubs, and verbal praise!
Dogs As Chicken Guardians
If you choose to leave your dog alone with chickens, I recommend observing from a close window for a good while before leaving them completely unsupervised. Our dogs, who initially attacked chickens without pause, are now our chickens’ guardians. They spend daily unsupervised time outside with the hens, and are going on their 4th year doing so without any issue. In fact, so far, we’ve witnessed them chase off a hawk on one occasion, and a possum on another. Who knows what else has happened while we weren’t watching?
Can All Dogs Be Trained?
While active protection is largely instinct, any dog can be trained to be safe around chickens. Yes, even dogs who have killed chickens or “tasted blood” before can be trained too. I know, because I’ve done it with more than one dog with such a history. The myths that a dog cannot be trained around chickens after killing one is just another old wives’ tale perpetuated by those too lazy to put in the work. There are no “bad dogs”, only bad owners. Discarding one “problem” dog and getting another dog will likely only result in the same set of problems.
Age does not determine if a dog can be safe around chickens.
Breed does not determine if a dog can be safe around chickens.
The owner determines whether a dog can be safe around chickens.
Learning How To Train Dogs Around Chickens Is Not An Exact Science
If you want to learn how to train dogs around chickens, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a professional, if need be. While no dog is impossible to train, some dogs are certainly more difficult to train than others. If you happen to have a more difficult dog, don’t give up! If you need to get pro help, it’s well-worth the investment.
Remember, I’m not a professional dog trainer! These are not directions for how to train dogs around chickens, but rather, an explanation of the system that works for me. What works for you and your dog may be completely different. But one thing is for sure. If I — your regular, everyday ole’ dog and chicken owner, can do it — you and your dog can do it too.