Retrieving dogs and backyard ducks

[singlemalt]

I use to rent a cottage for a week each summer in an area with a lot of semi-tame mallards that the kids fed off the dock. We always took our Labrador who was my waterfowl dog and had retrieved hundreds of ducks. Of course at first she wanted to go after them but I only had to tell her NO! a couple of times and she ignored them. She would lay on that dock with ducks swimming six feet from her. She knew she was not hunting.

I still think the pen is a good idea. I am sure you could teach your dog to leave them alone but don't know about the neighbours and wild canines.

[sabmgb]

I have a couple that spend a few weeks each spring in the pool, mind you there is a fence, but he doesn't pay much attention to them after the first couple times each year. After I tell him no. I have also feed ducks out of my jon boat while fishing in the summer. A hen and her brood, would come swimming out to the boat. He'd get all excited, just tell him no. Should have seen him hanging over the back of the boat with the ducks only few feet away. He could have jump passed them, but never went after them. So I think it possible.

[duckduckgoose]

Thanks guys! Some good input. Maybe I'll have to consider chickens if ducks are harder to over-winter; I just thought ducks were more in keeping with my interests. Thanks again.