Aggressive when prey involved

[Lola 0]

Casper caught a rabbit tonight just on our evening walk. It was my GSD who sent it out the bushes and was hot on it's fluffy tail but then as it was faced with either the shep or the lurcher it leapt into the air and Casper had it. Great, or so I thought. Tried to get it off him but he avoided me. Decided I would let him 'own' it for a while and get it off him near the end.

He tossed it around and ragged it and so on but wasn't giving it up. I enticed him over a few times, gave him some liver which he took then quickly picked his prize up and ran off. Eventually, after dragging a log on the grass to get his interest I managed to get his collar. His prize was 20 yards away and he realised he'd been duped!

 

Lola then walked up to him and he went for her, I mean really went for her. They were still about 20 yrds from the rabbit but he was still in the zone I guess. I am assuming it is a natural instinct but not an acceptable one. He has growled at me taking one off him before but he was muzzled so no risk. I'd like to think I wouldn't hesitate when trying to remove the next one from his grip but it's always on your mind that they have BIG teeth

 

Was I wrong to let him carry it round for a while?

[loose dog 0]

Casper caught a rabbit tonight just on our evening walk. It was my GSD who sent it out the bushes and was hot on it's fluffy tail but then as it was faced with either the shep or the lurcher it leapt into the air and Casper had it. Great, or so I thought. Tried to get it off him but he avoided me. Decided I would let him 'own' it for a while and get it off him near the end.

He tossed it around and ragged it and so on but wasn't giving it up. I enticed him over a few times, gave him some liver which he took then quickly picked his prize up and ran off. Eventually, after dragging a log on the grass to get his interest I managed to get his collar. His prize was 20 yards away and he realised he'd been duped!

 

Lola then walked up to him and he went for her, I mean really went for her. They were still about 20 yrds from the rabbit but he was still in the zone I guess. I am assuming it is a natural instinct but not an acceptable one. He has growled at me taking one off him before but he was muzzled so no risk. I'd like to think I wouldn't hesitate when trying to remove the next one from his grip but it's always on your mind that they have BIG teeth

 

Was I wrong to let him carry it round for a while?

 

Was it the dogs first catch? These things have to be worked on, its instinctive for a dog to be posessive over its catch especially with another dog around. Also who is the boss? is it you or lola or the dog? If you are, then you need to work it out with the dog one to one before involving anyone else. What is the dogs breeding? Has it got terrier in it or something that is normally more docile? My colliex gives up its catch quite naturally but with my terrierx it was a longer process of winning its respect-hope thats some use

[Billy c 0]

size 9 up his arse will sort him out dominate the dog dont let him rule you not nesasry a kick up the arse but you you need to nip it in the bud before he does bite you or someone else atb

[digger63 3]

The dogs getting the upper hand on you and you arent being dominant enough,i know some people wont agree with this but you need to teach the dog who's boss,

 

This is what i would do depending on the age and temprement of the dog [you dont say the age]

 

Get yourself a catapult and some plastic ammo [no acorns about now] not anything to heavy that could damage the dog in anyway,practice general obediance and if he disobeys clip him on the hind quarters with a shot from the catty,dont over do it though just enough to get the recall up to scratch,DO NOT use the catty for the first time when he has caught a rabbit,he must know the catty stings a bit before then,when he has learnt that you can sting him one without having to catch him they ussually come round to your way of thinking fairly sharpish,by the time he does catch he should be used to coming immediatly to the recall,try not to actually use the catty when he's caught a rabbit ussually just showing him its in your hand will be enough.

The object is to show the dog you are able to stamp your authority even when he's off the lead,there's no need to hurt the dog more like just "remind" him who's boss.

I know that could sound harsh to some but it can work very quickly depending on the dog,they dont seem to hold it against you either.

Dont use on dogs that are soft mouthed,the type that pin a rabbit or mess about with a live rabbit,its the kiss of death,it works best with dogs that are stubborn sods.

atb steve

[Lola 0]

Cheers peeps, I have no qualms about giving him a short sharp shock! He was actually wearing an e-collar at the time but it was only set to vibrate and that didn't work. I didn't want to re program it cause wasn't sure what intensity the shock was set to. I throw like the girl I am so a catapult would probably be just as bad

 

I have been showing more dominance towards him but I'm not consistent enough, have to keep reminding myself to do it. I will not show nerves when it comes to taking it off him but subconciously I might give off some wrong signal. It won't stop me but I'd prefer it if he gave it up.

 

It's his first rabbit since I've stopped muzzling him (had an issue with small dogs, no malice just exuberance) and so the others he had while muzzled were easy. I even skinned one to use to train him but my sisters dogs got hold of it and shredded it.

 

He is about 12 months and I am fairly sure that wheaton terrier is a possibilty along with maybe deerhound.

[Simoman 110]

Dogs being possesive over there catch is one thing but your dog doesn't appear to know its place in the grand scheme of things. Using the electric collar to correct this behaviour is totally the wrong tool for the job, YOU need to give a physical correction that ensures the dog realises this is totally unacceptable..........

[sam007 34]

Lola

 

There can only be one alpha dog in a pack

and that HAS TO BE YOU or you are heading for

trouble.

 

Cheers

Gareth

Edited April 15, 2009 by sam007

[bird 9,857]

size 9 up his arse will sort him out dominate the dog dont let him rule you not nesasry a kick up the arse but you you need to nip it in the bud before he does bite you or someone else atb

 

 

Spot on, You have to be [PACK LEADER], all dogs have to know there place Big or small.