"rabbits Are Friends, Not Food"

[BORDERSCOT 3,816]

We had mutt the same never touch anythin in garden but yet they cross the garden bondrys they fare game. Until 1 day sumthin changed n everythin was fare game garden n all

 

That happened here too...all fine and dandy...and then...

[inan 841]

A wild rabbit will smell A LOT different to a domestic one. Because the domestic rabbit isn't showing any of the body language it would in the wild, this doesn't stimulate the dog much. Besides, dogs only really go into hunting mode when they're in familiar places where they've seen rabbits before (from my experience), the dog will see it as a member of the pack (household) or it'll just be pretty f*cking confused. haha.

Nice dog by the way.

I think there is some truth in this, I've seen experienced dogs hesitant on myxie rabbits that just sit there, not doing what rabbits are suppose to do ,ie run.I think it throws the dog.

[Vicky Steadman 328]

she's looking good and hats off for the training, she seems to be the amenable type.......i wonder though would she nail a wild bunny in the garden or will she nail a coloured wild one in the field.....how does she know the difference ?, you'd think they both smelled the same (aye with their noses) or is it colour or environment or what ? i once had a non ped that would play with next doors pet bunny yet took all sorts of game in the field, she saw the bunny dailly from a pup and was schooled to race before she hunted

i don't actually know the answer to that... she's seen a black one in the field and just looked at it then continued on her way. I wonder if I got a pet brown bunny if she'd see it as a pet too or try to eat it? dogs don't see all colours so I wondered if it's a more environmental thing, or perhaps they don't smell of wild bunnies. who knows

[Vicky Steadman 328]

 

i think dogs associate certain places with certain actions or activities. ive had all sorts of wild and pet creatures on my premises over the years, and always allowed the dogs to meet and mingle with them. after an initial introduction i've never had any problems, and these have been dogs which have caught a lot of varied game. i think they just learn that home/garden is not a place to hunt, it is the place of calm and rest, and anybody or anything coming in is "one of us"

Not sure about this,Django my youngest dog will catch anything unwary enough to hang around too long in our garden.His tally so far, along with nesting victims is, two doves and a woodpigeon.

 

If they come into the garden cats are unfortunately toast for all my dogs.

None of my four pay attention to friends chickens when I'm visiting which is a blessing, but will jump for and occasionaly connect with pheasant poults, if they are unintentionally flushed when out.

Took them all out yesterday , a young crow was flying a few feet in front of them then landing , the other three made apathetic strikes at it, but Django pursued it until it dropped, picked it up and brought it back , but did not crunch it. I'm not sure he thought of it as fair game, so much as a bit of exercise.

 

I have a cat that Nancy is familiar with in the house, and she resists the urge to chase him outside, but any other cat that comes near the garden has a death wish. she also chases birds - anything from sparrows to magpies and rooks, but wont touch my hens or anyone elses hens for that matter. she once made contact with a flushed pheasant but has since taken little notice, I think she see's them as chickens too. she's very defensive of "her" garden, and wont allow anything that doesn't belong to us in there, except a friends dog if introduced carefully.

[Vicky Steadman 328]

A wild rabbit will smell A LOT different to a domestic one. Because the domestic rabbit isn't showing any of the body language it would in the wild, this doesn't stimulate the dog much. Besides, dogs only really go into hunting mode when they're in familiar places where they've seen rabbits before (from my experience), the dog will see it as a member of the pack (household) or it'll just be pretty f*cking confused. haha.

Nice dog by the way.

haha, thanks both bunnies are spayed so I wondered if they had a different scent or something - we never see wild rabbits approach the garden so bucks obviously can't/don't smell them. maybe the dog can sense that too? the rabbits are both pretty chilled - they keep stock still if Nancy's running about but even if they do bolt in front of her the most she'll do is glance toward them.

[Vicky Steadman 328]

just chilling

[Jesslurcher 25]

Good job, although I still think some day it'll be bye bye bunny

 

All it takes is for the rabbit to take a wee run to itself for that killer instinct to be set off...