Is there any way to get my dog to stop killing things ???

Question

I know it's just his instinct, but in the last three weeks he has killed 5 baby rabbits, 2 young birds and a mole. He would have killed a lot more if I hadn't intervened. All of this was in my backyard, so it's not like I'm letting him run at large. These animals just can't seem to figure out that my yard is an unsafe place to raise their young! Does anyone have any suggestions, short of never letting him run loose in the yard or putting a muzzle on him?

By the way, for those of you who might be concerned that I will actually heed the suggestions of the people who are telling me to kill (or maim) my dog, never fear! I would never hurt him in any way. He is my best buddy, and this isn't a huge issue for me. I just figured it was worth asking and I'm glad I did...some of you have some great suggestions that I will try.

Answer 1

From what I have heard, once a dog gets this into his system, it is there for good. You may have to invest in a nice dog run with a cement floor you can hose off, and a weather-proof roof. Muzzles are cruel as a long-term treatment and can make a dog mean to humans. So try the run solution!

Answer 2

Wild animals are often prey for dogs, especially terriers. Try banging on the door or ringing a bell to warn them that the dog is coming out. You're doing everything you can, keeping him in your yard and being responsible. You could try putting up some smaller mesh wire along your fence to keep the rabbits out. I wouldn't put a muzzle on your dog - he'll be miserable. That's part of nature - if the wild animals are dopey enough to keep building nests in your yard, they're going to pay the price. And there are a million more moles and rabbits than he can ever catch - they're not exactly an endangered species!

Answer 3

Your dog is fulfilling two of his basic instincts. to protect his property against intruders, and to hunt and kill.
I don't think you will have any luck getting him to stop. If he was a house dog, who was only out part of the time, I would suggest getting a bunny or a bird as a pet....When I handled those pets, my dogs learned that bunnies and birds were not game, but pets...My breed has very strong hunting insticnts, so it was quite an accomplishment to get them to leave ALL of the anmals on the farm alone....
But, if he is usually an out of doors dog, there isn't much hope, other than the survival of the smartest.....the animals that learn, won't keep coming to your yard....the ones that keep coming are not savvy and would be caught by any predator as fair game. So, you have to look at it like this...if my dog doesn't get them, something else would have..because they have no savvy.

Actually, the animals I had the most trouble with were peacocks...my dogs killed about 1/2 of them, as they just couldn't resist...but my surviving flock of 7 peacocks were very smart!

Answer 4

My dogs have killed things too. You may have to supervise him while he's in your yard for a while and keep a leash on him for quick-retrieval should he find something. It's odd that your local animals haven't gotten the hint yet. Our yard definately is a major no-go zone for all our local animals. I never even see a squirrell in it anymore.

There are products you can buy that will further discourage animals from hanging out in your yard. Typically they're sold at places like Home Depot in the lawn and garden section so that people can do things like keep the rabbits out of their vegetable patch.

Answer 5

1st what kind of dog is it? a Hound?

With that out of the way, how often do you exercise your dog. Try running him for a mile or 2 a day or playing frisbee something that tires him out completely. That might take his mind off the hunt and kill.

When that doesn't work get a shock collar that has a remote control so when ever you see him going after another animal you shock him. pretty soon you will see that he has a desire to follow the animal but the shock will prevent him from killing.

Answer 6

No, once they start that behavior there is no way to stop them. The bad thing is, they will move up to larger prey as they get bolder and better at it. You have a real problem dog that could end up getting you into tons of legal troubles. Your best bet is to call a local trainer, and see if they have any advice for you or can recommend someone that specializes in this area. But, honestly, I think you are going to have a great deal of heartache with this dog down the road

Answer 7

go to a hardware store and get a 15 foot piece of rope and tie it on his collar. Let it act as a drag line so you can stop him quickly if you see him take off after things. Your dog just has alot of prey drive (useful in training) and there is not really a way to remove that from him. Soon the animals will move out of your yard and the drag line won't be neccesary.

Answer 8

My dog gets crazy chasing other animals too. The only thing i can think of is to keep him on a leash when you are outside with him and let him know its not alright to chase animals while you are with him. It was hard but I got my dog to stop getting so excited when he would see another dog or animal like a rabbit. Hes not perfect about it but getting better. There is a good show on national geographic called the dog whisper it helps with these sort of things.It takes alot of work but you can do it if you try. Dogs and cats for that matter should not be left to kill anything they want, we are responsible for their behavior. good luck!!

Answer 9

I HAVE ONE IDEA AND MAYBE IT'S GONNA SOUND STUPID BUT I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE WORTH A TRY. MAYBE IF YOU GO TO A THRIFT STORE AND BUY SOME STUFFED ANIMALS THERE, THE KIND THAT MOST RESEMBLE A REAL ANIMAL. I MENTION THRIFT STORE BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY LOW COST THERE. THEN GET SOME CAYENNE (RED PEPPER) IN POWDER FORM. PUT IT ALL OVER THE STUFFED ANIMAL. I GET MY CAYENNE POWDER AT MY LOCAL HERB STORE. THEN LEAVE THE ONE STUFFED ANIMAL IN THE YARD WHERE YOUR DOG WILL BE SURE TO KILL IT. WHEN HE BITES INTO IT IT WILL BURN ALOT BUT NOT TO WORRY, NO DAMAMGE IS DONE, THE BURNING IS THE REACTION ON THE MOIST NERVE ENDINGS AND HIS MOUTH IS NOT BEING BURNED. I DID REASEARCH ON CAYENNE AND FOUND IT WAS USE BY THE FIRST INDIANS, THEY USED TO PUT DIRECTLY ON THEIR WOUNDS, IT HURT ALOT BUT IT ACTUALLY IT IS HEALING. THE PAIN IS A REACTION OCCURRING ON THE NERVE ENDINGS. SO IT HURTS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BUT THEN SUDDENLY STOPS. I HAVE TRIED THIS ON MY OWN SKIN AND FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE, I USE IT ALL THE TIME.

ANYWAY WHEN THE DOG BURNS HIS MOUTH ON THE STUFFED ANIMAL HE'S NOT GONNA LIKE IT. YOU WILL HAVE TO DO THIS MAYBE 3 OR MORE TIMES TILL HE ASSOCIATES ANIMAL WITH SEVERE PAIN. I KNOW IT SOUNDS KINDA SILLY BUT I WANTED TO TRY TO HELP. MAYBE IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE IF YOU MAKE A MIXTURE OF CAYENNE AND WATER KINDA THICK AND APPLY IT TO THE STUFFED ANIMAL, INSTEAD OF JUST DRY, OR MAYBE APPLY IT AND LET IT DRY. OR ALSO YOU COULD MIX THE CAYENNE WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING LIKE BUTTER AND APPLY IT. I JUST KNOW THAT I USED THIS IDEA TO BREAK A DOG OF A HABIT OF PULLING THE CLOTHES OFF THE CLOTHES LINE AND IT WORKED. IT TOOK 4 ATTEMPS BUT HE CHANGED HIS BEHAVIOR.

Answer 10

Is your dog a husky? He definately has a high prey drive. Try to give him something else to occupy his drive, like a ball, stick, or stuffed animal. First you have to find something he likes (not alive) and when your in the house play with him with this thing and get him all excited about it. (a lot like the police dogs are trained) then you can try it ouside.( Keep a long training leash on him incase he sets his sights elsewere) Try to set up the same situation as when he would kill something (but dont let him) and try to redirect him to his inside toy. Hopefully, eventually when he sees something he really wants it will remind him how much he likes and has to have his toy!