Does your dog like to chase squirrels?

Question

We get a lot of squirrels in our yard and our dog just loves to run after them! He's gotten so quick at it that if we didn't have so many trees, he'd catch them easily. But, lucky for them, they always find a tree to run up before he gets to them. If he were to catch one, I really don't think he'll even know what to do with it.... LOL... Anyway, I get a kick out of watching him do this. It's so cute. Does your dog do this too?

Answer 1

Ginger, the rescued mutt loves to watch them, I think she'd play with them instead of hurt them. Blazer & Velvet (Dobies) they don't seem to mind them at all. Now Desire would bark, jump & get herself all worked up trying to get at them. She was even also bad about trying to catch birds in flight.

Answer 2

yes, my dogs do chase the squirrels.

Years ago, when my lab/coonhound mix was about a year old, he sent a squirrel up a tree. The best part is, when i went back in to do a couple of things he decided to go after the squirrel.
All of a sudden i hear howeling and whining and panic. I ran out on the porch to find my poor frightened pooch wedged in the tree. He had climbed about 4 feet into the tree where the tree forked and could not go anywhere.
I helped him out while i laughed till i cried.
I have never seen him try to climb another tree, but he still chases the squirrels.

Answer 3

I have a little Yorkie that is only about 5 lbs. but he chases squirrels like there is no tomorrow. About a week ago he caught one by the tail as it was going up a tree, as soon as he bit the squirrels tail it screeched, and my dog just collapsed under the tree. He had no idea what to do. I though it might make him stop chasing. Now whenever we are outside he sits in the yard and looks up in the trees just waiting for one to come down.

Answer 4

Oh, yes!! Both our dogs chase the squirrels and birds and stray cats. Once Oliver actually caught the tail of one as it headed up a tree. I never heard such a sound before and I ran out worried that one of my dogs was hurt - there was Oliver standing on his hind legs with that poor squirrel's tail in his mouth and the squirrel trying to get away and it was the squirrel that was making the racket. I had to laugh, but I told Oliver "Drop it" and he let go.

Answer 5

This is what she'd do if she weren't domesticated: hunting for food and playing! Don't expect a dog to act like a human. Hey...I know GUYS who chase squirrels and won't come inside. Why hold your poor pooch to such high standards. I would have LOVED to keep my shedding Husky outside more, but he wanted attention all the time and barked incessantly if left out too long. Count your blessings!

Answer 6

I have beagle, small poodle mix, and a purebred shih-tzu "that is still very small 12 weeks and weighs 3lbs"

We live in town, and we have squirrels and also rabbits in our back yard! Let me tell you it is the most funniest thing to see all three of these dogs Running out and try to get ether a rabbit or a squirrel. But the most funnest is the little shih-tzu tiring to run as the beagle tripping over her and into the poodle! now this has not just happen once! This happens every time I let them out!! THEY have not leaned not to get to close to each other when running or the beagle is thank of clearing a way to get that nice tasty treat!! "witch they never do"!!!! So enjoy!!

Answer 7

Yes. But as soon as the door opens the squirrels get a head start. My dog likes to chase birds too when they're on the ground...lol!

Answer 8

Regrettably I got rid of the walnut tree. I used to LOVE watching Rusty my cocker spaniels run as fast as he could to get that squirrel. The squirrel was quite safe because he was much faster than Rusty. However, I do have jack rabbits and watching the dogs chase him is just as hilarious.

-MM

Answer 9

My friend's dog LOVES to chase squirrels !!! She also knows the word squirrel, so whenever you say it she goes crazy. She runs around the house and tries to open the door to get outside. It is SO funny !!

Answer 10

My golden retriever loves to chase things. She won't kill a cat, she prefers to play with them if she can catch up with them. But she has killed squirrels and possums and I have seen her catch a bird right out of the air. Be careful your dog doesn't bring one into the house. My dog did that once, and YUCK!!! I had to pick it up and dispose of it. So gross!

Answer 11

Yes, definitely. My dog also seems to think that getting them to run up the tree is a great talent, so he wags his tail and smiles at me when he gets them up there. He caught a possum (that was playing dead) once, and just stood there with it in his mouth. I think he has no idea what to do with them when he catches them, other than be proud of himself.