Ok, so a couple days ago, I came home and there were the remains of a squirrel's tail in my yard. I just hoped that the dog got the tail, only. This afternoon I hear her going crazy in the back yard (the dog next door, too). I go out and see a young squirrel cornered, before I can catch the dog the squirrel tries to make a run for it to the gate. Poor thing didn't make it and the dog killed it quickly. I had to chase the dog for half an hour before I could get her to drop it so I could dispose of it.
I don't want to even think about the tail from the other day...
She's a sweet, friendly dog to humans, a mixed breed, but looks like a country "huntin' hound". Any ideas on how to save the other stupid squirrels (other than keeping the dog locked up)?
2007-10-01 16:44:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I can't keep a dog in the house 24-7-365, unless you know someone who would clean my house for free? The squirrels are running amok trying to save their nuts for the winter (they should be trying to save them from the dog!), and as soon as she's out, she goes for them.
2007-10-01 16:52:40 · update #1
Just a thought, but how about something to keep the squirrels out of the yard? Maybe one of those things that emits noise only certain animals can hear. Obviously you have to be careful or you will drive the dog insane, but I thought it could be approached from a different angle.
2007-10-01 20:12:48 · answer #1 · answered by neurogrrl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like this dog has strong hunting instincts. You will not break this dog from chasing squirrels. She obviously has had some practice at this. The big problem here is, squirrels carry diseases like the Plague, tularemia, western equine encephalitis and lyme disease. Not to mention the diseases the fleas, lice, and ticks carry that are on them. There's a slight chance of a squirrel carrying rabies, although not likely. Eating squirrel brain has also been identified as a possible source of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease) in humans.
If I were you, I would get a kennel and keep my dog in there. This will give the squirrels a chance to get away from the dog before they are cornered and killed. Every time your dog catches a squirrel, there's a chance the squirrel will get a bite or two in before he's dies. You could also try a muzzle. The kind with the metal cage that surrounds the muzzle are better than the Velcro kind. They manage to stay on better.
2007-10-02 00:02:44 · answer #2 · answered by a10cowgirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 dogs that love to chase squirrels. Most the time the squirrels are faster, thankfully we have trees they run up.
If your out in the yard with her keep a leash on her. when she takes off for one grab the leash and tell her no then have her sit until she calms down. you will have to keep doing this for a while but it did curve my dogs some.
other than that it's a battle against nature and as said above maybe the squirrels will learn to stay away from your yard.
and if you are not out in the yard with her then bringing her inside while you are gone would be best. A kennel would be next option.
2007-10-02 00:10:38 · answer #3 · answered by Buster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hopefully, the squirrels will learn not to come in your yard, but...I wouldn't count on it. I am a total squirrel lover but there is a reason they call them "squirrely."
Anyway, your hound dog is just doing what comes natural. She would probably chase and kill anything that came in your yard, cats included.
You can probably train her not to do this, dogs can mostly be trained any way you want to, but it will take a lot of time and effort on your part. If you are up to this, find a local dog trainer and pay them to help you out.
2007-10-01 23:51:59 · answer #4 · answered by txassgirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain. I have Two new puppies a male and a female mixed breed, (rottweiler and doberman), they are approx. 5 months old now and the female, Millie, has an obsession with hunting. She hunts mainly at night, last week she killed a garden rat, the week before that she killed a large flying frog and this week she killed a common dove.
We are exasperated as every time she kills something!! She does not eat it but carries it around in her mouth like a prize and the male, Horse, (her brother) barks and whines until she puts it down, (which is how we know she is up to mischief).
We are attempting to keep them in a kennel but Millie HATES it and gets very upset when she is restricted in any way.
I would like to know what is the best option. Since i Love my new dogs and cant handle giving them up in anyway, as our last family dog dies of old age last christmas (2006). We were heartbroken for a long time, he was 13 human years old.
2007-10-04 17:20:45 · answer #5 · answered by Patty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
honestly, i cannot really think of much except possibly have her inside most of the time... which probably isnt an option im guessing...
see dogs, while they can be trained to get along with people, still have that killing instinct..its the reason i dont have a dog, i couldnt stand it killing things...but i dont know of any way to train dogs not to kill small critters, its in their blood...n i think its quite sad really..i thinks squirrels are really cute. plus the fact that your dog could get rabies eating them...she may be vaccinated for the moment but what happens wen she gets ahold of an infected squirrel n shes due for another vaccination? it may have worn off n she could get rabies..or she could chew up an infected squirrel n then lick someones face, spreading the disease to them...i would talk to your vet n see what they recommend cos this ould get dangerous...you may be able to stop the habbit with some kind of training...so id look around your area for a dog trainer...this may be expensive although it could save some more squirrels and by extension, your dogs life.
2007-10-01 23:55:09 · answer #6 · answered by tehelium 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The squirrels are natural prey for dog's and if you don't want your dog to kill them keep it inside. I have a dog that catches a couple a year and eats tail and all, doesn't hurt the dog at all. And squirrels are not a rabies threat. skunks yes
2007-10-01 23:56:02 · answer #7 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is disgusting, but there is really nothing you can do. I have one who does that, too.
I can stop him when I am out with him, but he will do it if I let him out on his own (in my fenced back yard).
It's natural hunting instinct. Just be glad he is not bringing live animals in your house and killing it on your bed like mine did.
2007-10-02 00:12:09 · answer #8 · answered by maxmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't leave her out in the yard while you were away from home, she couldn't be hunting squirrel.
2007-10-01 23:58:26 · answer #9 · answered by PawPrintz 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the dog belongs to you keep her inside your home.
squirrels have rabies and even if the dog is vaccinated for it, its still not good for the dog to eat a poor lil defenseless creature!
2007-10-01 23:49:13 · answer #10 · answered by ♥I'm not Bob♥ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋