English Shepherds are smart! No doubt. My puppy watched and learned from some cousins last week in the yard. My chickens are free range and I had taught my pup to leave them alone. Some of the visiting dogs gathered and penned the chickens (M.Dwight can tell that story), but my pup understood one thing…chickens can be moved if a pup is so inclined to make it happen! I knew better than to allow her to watch…but I did…and NOW I have to fix it!
What I am doing is saying “leave it” and tossing a small plastic empty bucket in the air in her direction (not near her just in her direction). This is only for effect and for noise to get her attention…(frankly I am not fast enough to do anything else). As soon as I can get into the barn (snow is deep and frozen), I will go back to a lesson or two with the “Pink Kicking Chicken” and get in control of my pup…
Lesson here… Careful little eyes what you see!