Our dog killed our guinea pigs

[pigsinmud]

We're all in shock as our lovely dog killed 2 of our guinea pigs yesterday. I'd left them in the run whilst cleaning out their hutch. I came in and shut the dog indoors, but I forgot theybwerebout and one of the children must have opened the door to let the dog out. A bit later dd1 went outside and found both of them dead. The dog was out there, but was asleep on the grass.

One of the gps was lying on his back and the other one was lying right next to him - they were father and son. There were no marks on them, but looked a little wet. Ds2 was and still is distraught as the older guinea pig was bought for him 3 years ago.

I had tried to get the dog used to the gps, but it didn't work. She always got excited and ran round and round the run and I'd take her inside as I was worried the gps were getting too stressed.

I'm feeling a little cold towards my dog at the moment, although I've told the children not to blame her. Is she still my lovely, brilliant with children, friendly dog?

I am sorry that your dog did this and yes she is still your lovely dog, but you forgot the first rule.

A dog is a dog and will worry smaller animals. It is it's instinct. It sounds like he shook the GPs and they died of heart failure or similar.

Dont mean to sound harsh schilke - but this is exactly the reason why I wont have rabbits or GP's while I have my dog and cat. It is too much of a worry for me.

What breed is your dog, just out of interest?

Aw sorry to hear that. But agree with Jax - your poor dog was just being a dog.

I have 2 dogs and wouldnt have any small creatures. Your dog was just being a dog.

I know. I've always kept them apart and it has been fine. I forgot yesterday - distracted with hoovering inches of dust from under the bed.

During the term I clean them out when children at school and I know dog is safely shut inside. We have managed for 18 months, but I forgot yesterday. We have one gp left as he was in the hutch - now has large hutch to himself. We will not be replacing the gps.

Her mother is the dippiest springer I have ever met and her father is a lab/collie/staff mix.

I tried to explain to ds2 that cats kill mice, birds etc and no-one then views their cat as a cold blooded killer.

You can't be more harsh than I am being on myself. We never intended to have a dog, but helped out friends when their springer had 8 unplanned pups. Stupid stupid stupid.

We are looking after our dog's mother for the week ( she arrived after the gp incident)and I can hear ds2 playing with them both so hopefully he is starting to feel better.

We got through a lot of guinea pigs because the dog chomped them. You did really well to keep them alive for 18 months! I agree with rainbow - your dog was just being a dog. Cats are killers! They're not just going out to take the air, are they?!

So sorry you have lost your gps

Agree with the others, you can't blame the dog, it was just an unlucky accident.

It is very sad that the remaing gp has to live alone though, they are very sociable animals, could you not get one or two of a similar age from a rescue?

It's instinct. My Mum's lab is always after my Dad's pigeons. She does occasionally catch wild pigeons. She is softest dog you could ever meet. She would rather chew off her own tail than hurt a child and is horrified of cats.

I'm sorry about GPs. With that breed of dog it would be virtually impossible to train it to accept smaller animals. But if you ever feel ready for more GPs you could contact a behaviourist, who will be able to equip with the best of ways of training. Although it might not work.

The gp left behind lives on his own as he didn't get on with the other 2. he used to have the bottom flat and other 2 had the top flat.

Thank you for reassuring me that my dog is still lovely. I just haven't given her much attention since yesterday afternoon. Shiney she sounds just like your mum's lab as she is terrified of cats!

We will not get any more as I wouldn't want to risk it happening again. It's all my fault and not the dog's.

Riven you poor thing. that must have been an awful scene.

Our older gp has children in the way as a friend borrowed him to mate with 2 of her female gps a few weeks ago. I know ds2 knows that, but we're not having any of the babies.

OP - try not to feel too bad. It was an unfortunate accident. Your dog didnt do anything 'wrong' in its mind, and has already moved onto to a new day. Try to do the same, walk her, play with her and keep an eye on the GP you do have left.