New Puppy In Four Weeks

PuppyLove

Hey Everyone,
I'm new and me and my family just decided to adopt a jack russel x jack russel cross puppy from my aunt's brother The puppy won't be coming to live with us for another four weeks as she is only 3 and a half weeks old. I have an elderly dog who, from past experience, I know will love the puppy. My biggest problem is the new puppy with my poultry and rabbits. My poultry are free range and will be in the same garden as the puppy all the time (although the puppy will be a house dog) and it is very important for the dog not to want to kill them, it would cause so many problems and Dad has said if the dog kills the poultry, she'll have to go. I am determined not to let this happen, I need advice and tips on getting my new puppy to accept the poultry and not attack them, I know this is possible with training

I also need tips (links appreciated!) on other things like house training, socialising and any other things it's important to teach the puppy

Thanking you all!

Criosphynx

I also have free range chickens what breeds do you keep?

Teaching a JRT not to go after chickens can be done, but will be very difficult to do. Your going against instict with that mix.I personally reward my dogs for ignoring the birds very heavily with whatever they like...food, toys or praise.

I do lots of activities with the birds in the background, and don't allow my dogs to become bored around the birds, that way they wont chase them out of boredom and practice what I don't want.

PuppyLove

Thank you
I keep Hybrids, bantam mixes and I forgot to mention ducks!

As she is a mix, I am hoping that I have that on my side. My own dog is a terrier and just knew herself that she had to be gentle with other animals. My neighbour has a dog who is really good around the chickens, and the dog's parents are the biggest chicken killers in the community. I'm hoping that by raising her with the animals and by training her aswell she will learn...I hope!

PuppyLove

If anyone has some good puppy training links I would appreciate it

fawkese1

not to sound negative, but do you have a back-up plan? don't get me wrong, i believe that this can be done, but in the event that it doesn't work out well, what will become of the dog? you said your dad said that you will have to get rid of her? it sounds to me like you might be setting this pup up for failure.
definately agree with crios, do not allow the dog to become bored around the chickens, and rewarding very heavily for ignoring the birds is the way to teach her. i think the biggest risk will be when you aren't around....what will you do with her then?

pawzaddict

I have to agree with fawkese. I feel a jack russel is a hyperactive dog who can have problems around small exotic animals. My chihuahua "herds" and nips at my ferrets, not out of aggression, simply playing and getting overwhelmed. She has to be put in "time out" (she goes on the other side of the baby gate) when she starts to get to this point. I dont necessarily think the dog is going to KILL a chicken, but they are a smaller dense, more fragile creature...what if the puppy gets too rough and injures a leg?

Criosphynx

lol...my chickens are bigger than three of my dogs (I keep brahmas)....you'd be surprised how much of their own they can hold.

Perhaps a fenced in area, for either the birds or the dog, would be a good idea, easier to manage this situation, that to train for it.

fawkese1

my thoughts exactly......

PuppyLove

She won't be around them when I'm not around because she'll be in the house all the time, we priced fencing and it costs hundreds so we won't be doing that. Dad said if she kills chickens we have to rehome her, but since she's a mix and since I'll be training her hopefully it won't come to that.

fawkese1

i hope that it won't come to that either, it is very sad to get a dog that you don't know if you will be capable of keeping.