Hi All,

My husky who is about 2 and a half has been recently chasing chickens around my parents place. He is a really great dog and has relative good recall (except - when he chases small animals). Has anyone encountered this problem and have any advice? I've been working on his recall, using treats he loves such as roll-over dog treats, cooked chicken or beef etc, however I think I need another tactic. He spooked a chicken to death but hasn't actually caught one and killed it, but I am afraid that he may and am hoping to stop his chasing before it gets to that point. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Can you put the chickens away while he is outside or anything? Huskies have a very high pray drive and I don't think you can do anything about him chasing the chickens. It is probably only a matter of time till he actually kills one. I don't think there is anything you can do accept keep them separated.

I was just going to say the same thing. You will never over come the prey drive, it's like telling a bird not to fly. To keep a bird from flying, you have to clip its wings. Like Erica said, put the chickens away, or keep your husky on a long line.

Unfortunately, it is my neighbours chickens. There is a small wooded area and field separating their house and my parents. We've been tying him up on a lead that runs across the yard, taking him for off-leash walks in the opposite direction and always keep him inside when he is unsupervised to avoid another chicken-husky confrontation. But yes, I think you are right - the prey drive cannot be overcome but hoping to suppress it/distract him quickly enough.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah unfortunately with them and small animals there just isn't anything that will make them over power their instincts. I would keep him on the leash for now, or buy a very long leash line (50 or 100 ft) and that should make it so you can grab him if he is running the other way when you take him on walks.

I would also keep working with him to leave the birds alone. Some success can be achieved. Work him on a lead where he can see the chickens from a distance until he pays them no attention and then move closer. It's just a desensitizing kind of exercise. Take your time and get him to understand as best as possible that chickens are not for him. My dog Maya, who has killed chickens, has gotten better at leaving them alone. In fact she will allow them to come and scratch within her chain area as long as they don't run and make noise. It's not easy and he will never be perfect but he should be better. Think of it from your dogs point of view, chickens make noise, flap wings, run around like idiots, what better toy to play with?

Indeed the key is much more in the chicken running than anything else. If you could get the chickens to not run, then the dog would most likely leave them alone. Unfortunately, once they start running you pretty much aren't going to stop the husky from chasing.