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The doghouse

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Original poster

He has tasted blood.... Help :(

146 replies

WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:37

Ok, this is very identifiable so I have namechanged, if any of you recognise me please don't out me. Bella, yes it is me.

My wonderful, bonkers, over-active dog was staying at a friends house today whilst I work, this happens quite regularly (well, it did), she is very experienced with dogs. They also have guinea-pigs....can you guess what comes next? I can't even bring myself to write it Sad

Obviously I feel terrible. Friend is being fabulous, sad and upset but also realistic and reasonable. Sorry doesn't cover it, there is nothing I can say to make this ok.

The question I am hoping you can help with though is about my dog, he has always had a very high prey drive. He loves to chase small dogs, cats or anything else that moves, never aggressive but definitly focused...as he has now moved on from chasing and into catching do I assume that he will catch anything - including small dogs? Is my only option now to keep him on a lead or muzzled? Is this a behaviour that a behaviourist can help with or is it just too instinctive?

He is in no way aggressive and is simply hunting, I have no concerns about his character....just his ability to control himself around small fluffies. Oh, and to add to my concern we have a cat.

I would be grateful for any suggestions (ideally sensible ones, he is not going to eat my children and I am not going to have him PTS or rehomed - just to get that bit out of the way!)

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:41

Sorry, the reason for the title is that another person I know has pronounced that I have to get rid of him as he has "tasted blood". It annoyed me, scared me and has made me question myself - argh!!

OP posts:
JaxTellersOldLady · 28/10/2010 20:42

oh dear, bet you feel awful, but I have to say a dog is a dog. Instinct often takes over.

Very sad that he did this to your friends guinea pig, but if he has a high prey drive and your friend knew this, it was an accident waiting to happen, sorry to say.

Yes this can be corrected but you are going to have to be on the ball forever more. Get a behaviourist in, pretty sure you know what to look for and how to do it.

Would never suggest rehome or heaven forbid PTS for something like this.
big hug from me. so sorry.

bluecardi · 28/10/2010 20:45

cats catch mice & it's normal. My dog catches mice & birds & this is usual. As long as he responds to sit & stay then he sees you as the boss. He should be the last in line in the family.

Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:48

Thanks Jax, luckily I am in conctact with a good behaviourist although she is not overly experienced with this breed which is quite a "specialist" breed so may try to route out another one. Luckily the breed society round here is active and well informed!

So you think I should look for help?
Of course I should, I know this already!
My head is whirling and I usually talk to this friend about anything dog related, this time that may be seen as a bit self-centred under the circumstances! (Understandably)

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Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:50

bluecardi, I am less worried about him seeing me as boss and more worried that he is going to leap on some poor childs toy poodle at some stage!

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AnyFuleKno · 28/10/2010 20:50

If you think he could attack a smaller dog and harm it then yes he should really be wearing a muzzle in public. What breed?

Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:52

Sorry, that came out more curt than it was meant bluecardi, there are no issues with his status in the house, don't worry [smila]

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Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 20:54

Anyfule, I wasn't concerned about that at all, no. He is overly boisterous and loves to chase small dogs - he also loves to chase big dogs, chase is his best game with other dogs. Of course, after today, I am concerned. How do dogs draw the line with small furries? Do they see a difference between a toy poodle and a rabbit?

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Bellaween · 28/10/2010 20:56

Hello my lovely [hwink]

Your friend's a plonker. Muzzle him - he is no different to a greyhound. Do people think all greyhounds should be pts because they have a high prey drive???

My dc would love a bunny but I know my woofa would eat it. Actually, all 3 of them would [hgrin]

Chin up, hon. It's not a big deal, honest x

bluecardi · 28/10/2010 20:56

My dd has a toy dog & when our real dog saw it he was amazed. He smelt it, prodded it & then I distracted him & put it away & out of sight. I have our dog on a lead when out & about. He's interested in other dogs & less frightened of smaller dogs. He wouldn't attack just for the sake of it. He's trained but alot of smaller dogs aren't & they are a danger. He was attacked by a poodle on a lead with an elderly owner (the shame of it!!). I had to pull him away otherwise he would have bitten back.

bluecardi · 28/10/2010 20:58

Didn't see any problems with your reply whyihavepets :) best wishes

Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 21:02

Hey there Bella Smile

You are right I think, he is just too prey driven. If he were a greyhound I would have had no surprise at all at his actions. I guess I just have to adjust my expectations don't I?

Will look into the behaviourist and see if there are any training tips they can give or some such. I am now terrified incase he gets to my cat - or someone elses cat jumps into the garden - luckily none of the neighbours keep rabbits or anything [need a scared emoticon]

Bluecardi, I meant toy as in small rather than childs toy IYSWIM - but my dog would happily destroy any furry toy too so maybe that is where I need to start!

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Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 21:03

Thank you bluecardi - seem to be x-posting with you at every turn tonight, sorry!

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DooinMeCleanin · 28/10/2010 21:08

I don't know about dogs in general just the ones I have met. My mum's little lab is getting on now and it takes her a wee while to get up bless her, unless she see's a pigeon that is, then she is capable of flying over breakfast bars in a flash Hmm Grin. She is the most gentle dog you could ever meet, so long as you are not a pigeon.

She is great with other dogs and scared of cats.

My terrier has a v high prey drive. And loves to chase anything and everything inc. other dogs/cats etc. He is fine with my cat, my kids and other dogs. But I wouldn't trust him for a nano second around a rabbit. I'm not entirely sure I would trust him with other people's cats.

My dad's Akita likes the chase and has shown agression to smaller dogs, but is well trained enough to be called back as soon as we see a small dog on the horizon.

I guess maybe it is down to the indivdual dog/level of training. Definately speak to a trainer if it will put your mind at ease.

bluecardi · 28/10/2010 21:17

whyihavepets Grin It's a good question on how they choose what to run after. My dog would go after anything much smaller that ran away from him or was moving without noticing he was there.
On the toy dog it was interesting as I would have thought he'd just have left it alone (he's not in the habit of chewing up the kids toys at the moment fingers crossed) but he recognized something in it that made him stop and evaluate it.

Jellykat · 28/10/2010 21:20

Yes i had a similar problem with my dog..at the time my mother said he'd have to be put down!it was awful, but also partly my fault, as i used to let him catch mice in our orchard.

I got a dog behaviourist in, and it really helped. Also got rid of his toys that squeaked
(he was young)

These days all he is allowed to chase is a ball.

ummagumma · 28/10/2010 21:32

So sorry this has happened but why werent the piggies kept safe and caged away from the dog?

JaxTellersOldLady · 28/10/2010 21:36

Not sure how old or breed of your dog, but does he know the 'leave it' command and how reliable is he with it?

My dog will chase pigeons (if I let him) and squirrels but when he hears a pheasant he knows he isnt supposed to chase and a firm 'leave it' usually sorts it out. Although he does have a half hearted trot at it if he thinks I am distracted enough!

Although my children would love a rabbit or guinea pig there is no way we would have any, between the cat and Loofa it would be a bun fight to see who could kill it first!

Ignore your friend with her unhelpful advice. And try not to think of your dog as 'bad' for what he has done.

Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 21:42

ummagumma, they were, he moved heaven and earth (and ate into the cage after failing to dig under it) to get to them Sad

Thank you everyone, you have been really helpful. I think I have a way forward now, I am not totally sure I will trust him again now though - I have just lept across the room and nearly given myslef heart faliure because I thought he was upstairs with the cat - he was lying next to the sofa!

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Scuttlebutter · 28/10/2010 21:44

Greyhound owner here. We have two with very high prey drives. Accordingly they wear muzzles out on their walks and are kept leashed unless I am SURE it is safe to let them off lead. Pretty standard. They cannot tell the difference between a fluffball of Yorkie terrier or a rabbit. Both have killed cats in the past.

Although ours respond to commands when prey is not around, I would not expect them to do so once they have sighted prey, are aroused and are "locked on" (missile analogy appropriate for speed).

Now that your dog is confirmed as having a high prey drive, I would simply take the precautions that many sighthound owners do on a daily basis. Must admit am amazed that any dog is left within access of guinea pigs or other similar pets - too much temptation. Working with a behaviourist as well would also be sensible.

Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 21:45

Jax, his leave it is fantastic, if someone had been stood with him at the time it would not have happened - of course you need to get him before he is "locked on" (ie focused) and running as he then does not hear anything. Sadly, like it or not, they will be on their own sometimes!

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyHavePets · 28/10/2010 21:47

Honestly, I really can assure you, if any of you had seen the setup you would have thought the pigs were safe too. He really did go to massive lengths to get to them.

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minimu1 · 28/10/2010 21:49

Although terribly upsetting to us this is just a "behaviour" for a dog nothing more nothing less.

Your dog is not out to kill he does not even know he has killed and caused damage. He saw a furry movement and chased it.

I don't really think you need a behaviourist. Things to work on are recall and a stop command. If you can throw a ball and stop the chase mid stream you have pretty much got it sussed.

I would also clicker train a new behaviour. Show a guniea pig (obviously that the dog can not get to) to the dog and then get the dog to watch you click and treat. Eventually the reaction when the dog sees a furry will be to look at you - you can then control the situation. This does take time but even the most determined dog can be trained to do this. When the dog gets to look at you you can change the reward from a treat to a chase game but with you.

Bellaween · 28/10/2010 21:51

...but do keep a close eye on him at the next full moon [hgrin]

Sorry - you know me. Couldn't resist it [hwink]

DooinMeCleanin · 28/10/2010 21:52

minimu what if the 'red mist' descends the very second they even sense your mum's parrot their prey?

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