Jako

What kinds of animals does your dog consider prey? I am very relieved that, through much training, my dog Sammie now behaves perfectly around chickens. He will, however, chase squirrels. I don't know how he would react to cats, but I'm sure he could be taught not to chase them.

rmillstein

Definitely squirrels and birds, though I've never seen Marley around a chicken. Oddly enough, flies. (He tries to catch them in his mouth). We think that he sees cats as potential friends rather than prey, because he had a cat in his former household. However, the cats don't see his overtures in quite the same way.

Our squirrel story today: We were eating outside at a restaurant. Normally, we put Marley in a downstay and he is extremely good... he has stayed down for a couple of hours, no problem. He usually falls asleep. But just in case, I always tie his leash to my chair. Today a squirrel ran close to our table, and it was just too much temptation. He bolted after the squirrel so hard and fast that he broke out of his collar -- we had been told that it was designed to do that, but not being able to break it ourselves, we didn't really believe it. Somehow Marley's 14.4 pounds of determination did it. Luckily nothing bad happened -- he quickly ran himself into a corner (I don't know where the squirrel went) and we got him back to the table without incident. Let's just say he was in the doghouse for the rest of the meal. (ha ha).

T o d d

Squirrels.
Birds.
Ducks.
Geese.


That's all I've noticed so far.. probably anything similiar in size.

Yorkiecrazy

lol That is a cute story. It's a good thing he wasn't strong enough to knock you out of your chair. I think the squirrel ran close to Marley on purpose.

rmillstein

Heh... now that would be impressive.

I agree! They are wily little creatures, and they love to taunt dogs.

Purple Poodle

They are all good with the cats but Tuesday like to pester them until they run she was around Geese before I got her and was punished for getting close to them (part of some issues I'm working on) but she is very interested in big birds. The little ones that come into the yard, not so much. She would chase a squirrel if she had the chance.

Sam I Am

Sam will catch small birds that come into the yard. He doesn't know what to do with them once he has caught them though. He will chase rabbits and squirrels, but he doesn't look like he really wants to catch them. He has a thing about flies also, he stalks them and snaps at them.

rmillstein

Oh yeah, rabbits. Marley is definitely interested in the rabbits.

Mourningdove

Being in sagebrush-juniper, Donner's and Molly's favorite is Jackrabbits. This time of year, they wake me up at the crack of dawn to go hunt. I let them out for 15 minutes or so, then round them up with a whistle. They are usually good about returning (60 acres) but I have to go get them sometimes on a golfcar. They also love to corner Bushy-Tailed Woodrats in the woodpile. Harley tries for the smaller rabbits that get under our hottub. Molly also likes to chase Western Fence Lizards and scarab beetles that will hiss if disturbed.

Jako

Oh yes, Sammie does like to chase flies and other insects. Even bees.:rolleyes: