My dog and a neighbors dog got into another neighbor's field of goats. They started chasing them and eventually killed one, but didn't eat it. They just left after that. Now I'm terrified he'll try it again. We have a large fenced in yard (chain link) but he will dig, and dig til' he escapes. For now, he is in the house and we keep in on a runner outside.
Do Labs normally chase down other animals, just for the kill. Or do you think the 2 dogs were acting as a pack?
2007-01-22 06:47:42 · 12 answers · asked by Audrey G 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would imagine it was more of a toy for them. However both of them together they will feed off of each other. Im sure the goat was running and that instinctively makes a dog go after it. I have told children when I am walking my dogs never to run from a dog trying to teach them that the prey instinct in dog takes over unless there has been extensive training.
Yeah he will probably do it again given the opportunity.
2007-01-22 06:56:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some individual dogs have a higher "prey drive" than others, and your dog may be one of those. Doubtless, when he and your neighbor's dog got togther they worked as a team to bring down the goat (that's the latent "wolf" instincts in them), but don't dismiss the behavior as nothing but "pack mentality".
Now that your dog has gotten a "taste of blood" and did not suffer any dire consequence for his behavior it is very likely that he would attack again if given the opportunity.
To keep your dog from digging under the fence, lay about 2 feet of chicken wire down about 1 foot below the surface of the dirt on his side of the fence for the entire length of the fence. When he tries to dig through, he'll hit the chicken wire and get discouraged from digging.
2007-01-22 06:56:59 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Probably acting as a pack, I had a lab and she would chase things but never kill anything that i know of. But they are water dogs by nature and are used to in a pack chasing down and collecting an animal for their master, but my guess is it was a pack thing. A tip for the fence is get a buzzer collar and put up a perimiter around your yard, then if the dog goes outside that perimiter without your permission he gets a little and i mean little shock but enough to stop them in their tracks! Just an idea!
2007-01-22 06:52:50 · answer #3 · answered by Samantha T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think they were acting like a pack. One of the dogs probably headed straight for the goats while the other flanked them. Labs are bird dogs so your lab was probably having fun with the goats. How was it killed? Was the throat ripped? If it is dead with no blood then they played it to death if they killed it with their teeth they were hunting. Our Lab-In-Law killed our neighbors bunny! He was here for the weekend and I left to go to the store when I came back there was a white dead bunny on the floor. The neighbors bunny was always getting into our yard and I returned it many times before but this time Monte got it. There was no blood, I think he snapped its neck and when it no longer moved then it was not fun to play with anymore.
2007-01-22 06:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by crested_love 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its pack behaviour.. ever notice how dog attacks usually happen in pairs? its because when they get together it revives their instinctual pack hunting behaviour. They dont do it just for the kill, its more just to fulfill the instinct to hunt as a pack that they do it. However now that your dog has a taste for his hunting instinct he will do it on his own.. Thats why it is a very bad idea to let a few dogs run around together it awakens the dormant wolf instinct within them and then you are screwed. You had better make sure to keep your dog on a tight leash and dont let him run around because he will do it again now that he knows he can.
2007-01-22 07:03:22 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs are animals. it is instinct to chase other animals and possibly kill them. i would say your best bet is to do what you are doing. keep him in the house, or on a thick leash outside. because you dont want your neighbors to file a lawsuit against you dog and have it put down.
2007-01-22 06:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by danuh_bananuh 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
PAck behavior, oh yes. They feed off one another. Normally labs chase, but won't kill, so I am sure he got wrapped up in the moment.
2007-01-22 06:56:16 · answer #7 · answered by Nevermore 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a pack thing and can happen again. dig around the inside of your fence and bury wire fencing so dog can not dig under
2007-01-22 06:51:46 · answer #8 · answered by aussie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Labadors are very hyper agressive dogs. i would watch him when you take him out for the next couple of days and watch him. if he be's good give him a treat.labs were bred for hunting and he was probaly working as a pack. i mean just watch him and keep him inside longer. do this until you trust him.
2007-01-22 07:03:22 · answer #9 · answered by hbzliln1ck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs like to chase things...especially goats and such livestock
Throughout history domesticated dogs have been used for an array of activities...from herding livestock to finding food...
It's in their blood
2007-01-22 06:51:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋