06-11-2008, 02:50 PM
Stillhope,
I know that training will always help, my last dog developed a bad recreational cat habit after our last cat died, suddenly any cat was fair game. In spite of her being about 1/16th wolf, I could stop Ursula in her tracks while running full tilt after a neighborhood cat with one word, I think the "highly responsive to her person" doberman genes outweighed the "I'm gonna do what I want" wolf genes. Many years ago, I had an Australian Shephard mix who stole one egg a day from the chicken house, the rest of the time she guarded those chickens religously, even chasing off a coyote one winter.
I just figured that if I start with a dog that is less hardwired to go after birds it would help, especially when I'm not home and both dog and chickens are on duty patrolling the yard. Who has done well with both?
Carol
I know that training will always help, my last dog developed a bad recreational cat habit after our last cat died, suddenly any cat was fair game. In spite of her being about 1/16th wolf, I could stop Ursula in her tracks while running full tilt after a neighborhood cat with one word, I think the "highly responsive to her person" doberman genes outweighed the "I'm gonna do what I want" wolf genes. Many years ago, I had an Australian Shephard mix who stole one egg a day from the chicken house, the rest of the time she guarded those chickens religously, even chasing off a coyote one winter.
I just figured that if I start with a dog that is less hardwired to go after birds it would help, especially when I'm not home and both dog and chickens are on duty patrolling the yard. Who has done well with both?
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb