Chickens are like the dog version of fast food: too tempting to ignore, especially for my dog, Sitka. If you’ve ever found yourself in a panicked race to save your feathery friends from becoming doggy entertainment, you know the struggle! But, fear not, I found a way to train Sitka to stop chasing chickens using the Hound Husher—no yelling or shock collars required.
Why I Ditched the Shock Collar (and You Can Too!)
Many people think that to stop dog behaviors like chasing, you need harsh tools like shock collars, but that’s just not true. With the Hound Husher, a humane dog training tool, I managed to keep Sitka from turning our backyard into a chicken race track. And trust me, there were no tears, no barking (from me, at least), and no unnecessary gadgets.
The Method: Stopping Chicken-Chasing Behavior with the Hound Husher
Here’s the process I followed, step by step:
1. Introduce the Hound Husher: First, I got Sitka used to the Hound Husher, the best ultrasonic dog training device around. It emits a high-pitched sound that only dogs can hear—so it grabbed Sitka’s attention without scaring him.
2. Step 1: Start with Calm Commands: Before letting him loose near the chickens, I practiced commands like “sit” and “stay” in an area where he could see the chickens but couldn’t reach them. Every time he got a little too excited, I used the Hound Husher to bring him back to calm focus. The ultrasonic sound gently reminded him, “Hey, chill out. No chicken chasing today.”
3. Step 2: Gradual Exposure to the Chickens: I then let him closer to the chickens. This was when Sitka’s eyes would light up, and he’d go into predator mode. It is important to note some dogs may need to be on a leash in this stage. Whenever he lunged or barked, I gave a gentle tap on the Hound Husher to stop him in his tracks. It worked like a charm—no shock collar, just a humane, quiet correction that had Sitka rethinking his chicken-chasing habits.
4. Step 3: Reward Good Behavior: Whenever Sitka would ignore the chickens (which, at first, felt like a miracle), I rewarded him with praise and a treat. Using positive reinforcement helped Sitka learn that NOT chasing chickens was a good thing!
5. Step 4: Practice Makes Perfect: Over a few days, Sitka got the message. The combination of the Hound Husher and positive reinforcement worked wonders. He eventually lost interest in the chickens and focused more on staying close to me, and then started hunting eggs in my coop!
Why the Hound Husher Worked
The Hound Husher uses ultrasonic sound, which dogs respond to quickly, making it the best ultrasonic dog bark control device—and not just for barking! It’s portable, so I could take it anywhere, and the best part is that it’s completely humane. Sitka wasn’t harmed, shocked, or scared into obedience. Instead, he learned through gentle, effective corrections.
Tips for Using the Hound Husher to Stop Chasing
• Be patient: Training takes time, but with consistency and a little help from the Hound Husher, your dog will get the message.
• Stay calm: No need to yell! Let the Hound Husher do the work.
• Reward good behavior: Positive reinforcement is key. Make sure your dog knows that ignoring the chickens = treats and praise!
So, if you’re ready to stop the chaos and keep the peace in your yard, try the Hound Husher. It worked for Sitka, and it can work for your dog too—no yelling, no stress, just a quiet, calm solution. Plus, your chickens will thank you!