Hunting Instinct
- Thread starter labman
- Start date
prey drive is a hard drive to curb...
I would never dream of scolding either Meik or Bailey ( they have the highest level around here) for it.
I have to use EXTREME caution with them around the chickens and rabbits. If something were to happen to them, it would be my fault for not being there, not the dogs.
I would never dream of scolding either Meik or Bailey ( they have the highest level around here) for it.
I have to use EXTREME caution with them around the chickens and rabbits. If something were to happen to them, it would be my fault for not being there, not the dogs.
You can train a very high prey drive dog to 'off' or 'leave it'. I have Jrts and every dog in my house has worked live quarry. I breed for those drives. With training (PR) they can and do call off. Although having said that, I have never tried to call a dog out of the earth when they are working. But they will call off topside. My neighbors cats and chickens etc come to our farm all the time and sometimes one of my dogs will give chase. They call off the second I ask it of them, then we run to the house with me telling what a great dog they are for rewards.
But to scold without training certainly doesn't do much...........and isn't fair to the dog but as we know so many folks just don't know, nor do they know how to get it.
Lynn
But to scold without training certainly doesn't do much...........and isn't fair to the dog but as we know so many folks just don't know, nor do they know how to get it.
Lynn
I can understand keeping the dog in control and training him at a young age not to chase and harass wildlife,but to scream BAD DOG! for running after a little english sparrow on a trail is just wrong IMO. If i would have thought of it,i would have asked her(WHERES YOUR LEASH?)if you don't want your dog chasing a bird.
Another case of city vs. country...
Another case of city vs. country...
Thanks Labman;
Another thing that I believe is that when a dog IS encouraged to follow their instincts and trained accordingly to call off those same instincts, it's easier.
I have a Beagle in one of my agility classes, his nose can get in the way of agility training and focus on his handler. So the easiest solution, which in his case has worked beautifully, was to encourage him to follow his nose outside of the agility ring BEFORE agility training. He was told to 'Sniff' along with C/R (click/reward). Then we taught him to 'No Sniff' with C/R. You can train a dog that there is a time and a place to follow the instincts which makes the dog very happy and NOT confused.
Lynn
Another thing that I believe is that when a dog IS encouraged to follow their instincts and trained accordingly to call off those same instincts, it's easier.
I have a Beagle in one of my agility classes, his nose can get in the way of agility training and focus on his handler. So the easiest solution, which in his case has worked beautifully, was to encourage him to follow his nose outside of the agility ring BEFORE agility training. He was told to 'Sniff' along with C/R (click/reward). Then we taught him to 'No Sniff' with C/R. You can train a dog that there is a time and a place to follow the instincts which makes the dog very happy and NOT confused.
Lynn
I love it when OC is jumping around in tall weeds mousing and there are lots of teenage and young 20s girls around because when he pops up with prey in his mouth most of them SHRIEK and get so grossed out LOL What's the big deal? He's just being a dog...and he's a HAPPY dog cause he caught a mouse! LOL
I guess some people just dont ave a clue as to what a dog really is...
I guess some people just dont ave a clue as to what a dog really is...
J
Without some training, and limits on behavior, a dog is just another wild animal.
There is nothing wrong with allowing a dog to run loose, and have good times enjoying its natural instincts, but a real dog has limits, and can control those instincts.
Pits are natural fighters, it is instinctive, but yet they are naturally lovable, and trainable dogs. Owners do not allow to just rumble whenever they are in the mood to be their natural dog self. And niether should prey drive be acceptable.
Fetch obsessive dogs get their natural drive behavior limited, and are not constantly allowed to fetch.
Dogs with a guard/protective drive are notallowed to kill everything, and everyone.
Neither should a cute little beagle be allowed to lend chase anytime they feel like it.
There is no need to constantly leash a dog, just teach them the rules you wish for them to abide by.
They are infinitely capable animals with
There is nothing wrong with allowing a dog to run loose, and have good times enjoying its natural instincts, but a real dog has limits, and can control those instincts.
Pits are natural fighters, it is instinctive, but yet they are naturally lovable, and trainable dogs. Owners do not allow to just rumble whenever they are in the mood to be their natural dog self. And niether should prey drive be acceptable.
Fetch obsessive dogs get their natural drive behavior limited, and are not constantly allowed to fetch.
Dogs with a guard/protective drive are notallowed to kill everything, and everyone.
Neither should a cute little beagle be allowed to lend chase anytime they feel like it.
There is no need to constantly leash a dog, just teach them the rules you wish for them to abide by.
They are infinitely capable animals with
"Without training a dog is just another wild animal"
No, dogs are domestic, not wild. Some can be born in the wild and thusly become feral but they do still have it within them to be around humans whereas wild animals try to avoid humans.
"There is no need to constantly leash a dog"
Clearly you have not worked with some independent breeds if you really believe in this statement....Unless you are referring to unleashing within a fenced area...
No, dogs are domestic, not wild. Some can be born in the wild and thusly become feral but they do still have it within them to be around humans whereas wild animals try to avoid humans.
"There is no need to constantly leash a dog"
Clearly you have not worked with some independent breeds if you really believe in this statement....Unless you are referring to unleashing within a fenced area...
I agree with JTP...
If I allowed my Border Collie to "just be a dog", and do what comes naturally to him, he would be herding everything that moved! And, other animals and people usually don't appreciate his work. D: Unfortunately.
I always tell my pups to leave it, when they're obviously looking for or chasing an animal. For some small animals, a dog simply chasing them or "playing" with them will cause them to die. My dogs are pets. They don't need to learn that killing small animals is acceptable & fun. Plus, it isn't exactly fair for those small animals, if everyone with a dog in the park allowed their dogs to chase them down.
If I allowed my Border Collie to "just be a dog", and do what comes naturally to him, he would be herding everything that moved! And, other animals and people usually don't appreciate his work. D: Unfortunately.
I always tell my pups to leave it, when they're obviously looking for or chasing an animal. For some small animals, a dog simply chasing them or "playing" with them will cause them to die. My dogs are pets. They don't need to learn that killing small animals is acceptable & fun. Plus, it isn't exactly fair for those small animals, if everyone with a dog in the park allowed their dogs to chase them down.