Mandy, the chances that he would associate the tobasco with the guinea are
slim. Because you are coming at him with a toothbrush, he would probably
just learn to fear toothbrushes, and possibly even you.
Is he relatively sensitive to your voice? If so, walk him around on leash
and watch him very carefully. You need to learn his body language. If he
looks at a chicken or guinea, quietly redirect him by calling his name,
patting your leg, saying "come here" and changing direction. If he escalates
at all past just looking -- tail raises? ears go back? legs get stiff?
hard stare? Whatever it is he does just BEFORE he lunges -- give a loud
"EH EH" noise and quickly change direction. The trick is catch him before
the lunge, and interrupt it. Repeat, repeat, repeat. After a while, he
should look at a chicken, then look at you and move towards you on his own.
PRAISE! Treats! Toys! Whatever he finds rewarding. This way, you
"rewire" his brain so that when he sees a bird, he looks away and moves away from
it.
If the "EH EH" noise isn't enough to break him away, it's possible his prey
drive towards birds might be too strong to ever break him completely. You
could try an e-collar but please be very careful, if your timing isn't
just right it can really mess a dog up.
Best of luck!
Maureen and the girls at the
Rowdy Girls Ranch
Marana, AZ
In a message dated 6/29/2012 4:51:01 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
arkansashorsetrails@yahoo.com writes:
I've even pondered the idea of putting some tabassco sauce (or something
yucky but harmless) on a toothbrush & brushing his mouth out if he is ever
caught with guineas or chicken in his mouth. Yes,guineas are the stupidest
birds on the planet I believe. I guess that is why this one didn't fly up on
the edge of the barn roof...forgot it could fly.
Thanks,
Mandy
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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