Well this has been a bit of a rocky journey with Bramble and chickens, especially after nearly killing one of them, and damaging a couple of others. Lots and lots of clicking for attention and calm behaviour. Today I thought I would risk it with a savvy old married couple. They don't flap around and are used to the other two. Did some sit stay work, just a couple of minutes as I noticed although Bramble was doing well, she was literally trembling with excitement. Lots of praise for her, and some very simple drills, sit, heel and a sit stay. I really, really wouldn't trust her on her own with them, but a definite improvement I am a bit worried though about this shaking/trembling? is this normal, haven't seen this in either Benson or Casper. I don't want to push her, or make her feel uncomfortable. sit stay with distractions by Marcus Hart, on Flickr Think she is looking a bit stressed in this photo? bramble and chickens 2 by Marcus Hart, on Flickr
Well, with Charlie it's not chickens...(he will leg it to an allotment with chickens but only in a 'say hi' kind of way, I can recall him easily) - but he was terrible with footballs - and he still is pretty awful with ball games of any sort. I no longer have trembling and shaking, but really have been there. I wouldn't ask for stillness, a sit and watch. I'd ask for focus but moving. It was much, much easier (and still is) for Charlie to be working and moving for different rewards in the presence of his biggest distractions than being asked to 'observe'. Even now, when he is 3.5 years, we only do a little observing and mainly keep on the move. If I get calm and focus when moving, then we'll stop and watch for a bit.
Ahh of course @JulieT that makes perfect sense thank you! I will work on nice heel work, hand touch...etc..just very short sessions
Totally agree with keeping moving. Much easier to deal with the stress of shot for us and I guess it's all management of arousal.
I think you might be tempted to think of a sit as 'steadier' but it's more about helping her learn to calm herself.
I'd keep a physical barrier between her and the chickens (either having her on lead or on the other side of a pen wall or fence) until she gets to the point where she is not interested in them at all. With live animals the aim should be for the dog to be completely indifferent - not watching, not deliberately avoiding (which still shows attentiveness/stress), not excited - the gold standard is an attitude of utter boredom or indifference. Anything else and the chooks aren't really safe.
Cannot wait to get to this stage. @Beanwood I'm having chook envy, what breed is that lovely pair? I would love a roo but sadly we're suburban.
Beanwood may be asleep so I'll guess that they're Favarolles. You can probably get them in NZ (they exist in Australia).
They are not common here either. They are supposed to be nice, placid birds. Beanwood will have the full lowdown on them. My guess on the breed might be totally wrong of course - there's a much bigger variety in the UK than here and I'm no chook breed expert. (BTW you should get ducks - they don't crow )
They also don't look as freaky. Chickens are scary. Ducks are everyone's friend. They're the Labs of the poultry world.
Yes that is a pair of elderly salmon bantam faverolles, the hen is around 8, the cockbird (in moult is around 3) I also have Muscovy and runner ducks...runner ducks are the labs of the duck world, just completely bonkers! Benson and Casper are so laid back they will sleep with the chooks pecking around them More on faverolles if you are interested http://www.beanwoodfaverolles.com/
