My kids have a black lab that is 11 months old. Beautiful dog but dumb as a box of rocks. We live on a farm and tried to let the dog run loose but she won't stay away from the horses. She has been kicked more than once and I am afraid they are going to kill her but she keeps running right back to them and now even though she has her own pool has decided to sit in their water troughs to keep them from drinking. Today one of the horses bit her hard enough to draw blood and although she yelped and ran to me for care as soon as it was cleaned up she was back out there. I don't know what else to do and I don't want to have to keep her in a kennel any one have any suggestions.
2006-10-02 19:16:10 · 9 answers · asked by Martha S 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
We have a shelter on 14 acres, so we understand the problem of trying to keep animals separated. Do the horses have a hotwire around their enclosure? That would be the cheapest solution. The electric collars work only if you have the time to stand there and zap her every time she does something you don't want, which sounds like it could be a fulltime job :-) The wireless fences/collars do work, also, if you have the money for them.
Is she trying to be friends and hang out with the horses? Sounds like Box of Rocks may think she's a horse, too. I would suggest another dog for her, and nothing with a herding instinct.
If she's chasing them, however, I'd run a hotwire down at her level. That way, you aren't the bad guy, you don't have to monitor her 24/7, and she can still roam the rest of your property.
We have two dogs at our shelter who chased horses, despite being kicked or stomped, because they were all starving, and the horses were eating the dog food. Certainly not to imply that's your situation, but once they start doing this, it takes a lot to get their attention. One other solution, at more expense, is to build her a small yard, but I bet you'd have to hotwire it, also. I don't think Box of Rocks is stupid, just lonely and bored :-) or watching too much horse racing on TV.
Good luck to you.
2006-10-02 19:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi Martha, I really don't think your lad is dump.For some reason she keeps going back to the horses.Do you have another dog on your farm??.If not,i think your lad is lonely,and just wants to play with someone.I know running a farm is hard work,and problem not enough time to spent with your lad.She really needs another dog for championships,and running and playing.This should run her energy down alot,and she should forget about the horses.Do you have someone in the family,than could teach her the basic: Set,stay,down,and come.If you don't have anyone,and you have some hired hands,maybe one of them could take dog classes with your lad.Petsmart has dog training classes just for this.It's $99.00 for the classes.Your lad really should take those classes.With a new dog coming for her,you want her to learn the basic.In return,she will train the new pup what to do.I sure hope you take my advice.Things will be alot better.
Clowmy
2006-10-02 19:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
walk her on a leash being very firm(almost mean, yanking the leader when the animal doesnt listen). this will last about 2 days. but itll take weeks to teach the dog its boundaries. so be patient. daily walks on the leash and lots of good dog talk and letting the dog stray to the edges of the boundaries and yanking them back firmly but not cruel,with lots of inside your yard etc. no treats and no kids on the walks. atlast the walks always end up at the horses for 2 weeks. then change directions. then do it leaderless. the animal isnt dumb. its a pup and doesnt know what a horse or a person is. im so jealous, you got a black lab.
2006-10-02 19:23:55 · answer #3 · answered by l8ntpianist 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe your dog loves the horses so much she is willing to take any abuse to be with them, all dogs are dumb, you may have to build a fence in your yard to keep her away from the horses
2006-10-02 19:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by KittyMom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are two suggestions:
Electric Collar. Here you mildly shock the dog each time she heads for the horses.
http://www.tritronicsdealer.com
The other suggestion is to install an "Invisible Fence"
Endorsed by the ASPCA and recommended by Consumers Digest
http://www.invisiblefence.com
2006-10-02 19:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by Blossom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there anyway to keep the dog away? How about a long walk for the dog? How big is yr property? What can be worked out?
2006-10-02 19:22:12 · answer #6 · answered by regwoman123 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Teach her the meaning of "NO!" use a choke collar if you have to give a tug when she starts to disobey. Praise her for obeying. You may want to only let her loose when someone is nearby. The more they interact with humans the more sensible they become
2006-10-02 19:27:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
She needs a playmate (another dog to romp around with). FACT.
2006-10-02 19:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by saturn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a electronic training collar. It will cure her quick. Shes a lab she will be very smart one day. They tend to start off slow.
2006-10-02 19:23:50 · answer #9 · answered by Dann R 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋