Dog catching birds WWYD?

[merrymouse]

Our Springer/Collie Cross catches birds. He is about 10 months old and a rescue dog that we have had for 2 months. He has caught 3 so far, 2 in the last 3 days.

DH doesn't like him catching birds at all. I think it is his natural behaviour, but equally like our little feathered friends to be able to visit the garden and would want to be able to stop him from chasing a pet rabbit/cat/other small animal. DH has recommended a strong 'NO' and quickly taking the bird away. (The same NO we use for jumping on the table etc.) However, when he caught the 1st bird a few days ago I was in the middle of grilling something and more concerned with him not bringing the bird into the kitchen. Today I tried to remove the bird from him, but it just ended up as a game of chase.

What would you do? (Should I look for help on the litter tray board...?)

He is very good with other dogs and large animals (well he doesn't get excited when he passes a cow on a lead), but is obsessed with anything that can be airborne (e.g. butterflies, or even seeds) and loves catching balls.

Wow . That is one clever dog.

Could you put a bell on him?

That seems like a good idea - but do people put bells on dogs? To be honest he might have caught more birds - I have only seen him catch 2 and found 1, there might be more bodies... although I haven't ever seen him attempt to hide them.

I am not sure how effective it is to say a strong 'NO' when he is often alone in the garden.

Anyway, I was digging around some other threads, and I have read that you can train dogs to stop e.g. if they are chasing after a ball, which would be helpful if I were there.

Yep! You can get bells for dogs, see here, at GRWE. He is a mighty clever dog though! Both my MILs spaniels wouldn't have a snowball in hells chance of ever catching a bird unless it was dead before hand :o

My husky x catches birds too. You can train a dog to stop chasing something and recall to you, which is really helpful; and a good 'drop it' and 'leave it' command are useful too. Also you can get to recognize hunting behaviour so that you know when to call him off before he gets something; with the husky being a husky he is almost always on a lead, which helps.

we live on a canal boat and lots of 'canal dogs' are belled up. there are lovely woods and such along the canal so a bell is the best way to keep aware of where your pooch is on their night time wee!

Our Westie has somehow managed to grab a couple of birds (and sproings about madly in the garden with poor creatures fluttering in her mouth!), including a rather large young wood pigeon. She was sneaking up on them very carefully and then pouncing. A sharp 'no' has worked, she'll rush at them now but with no intention of catching, just for a fun chase.