Is your dog a killer, too?

[lori254]

Speaking for myself, I don't have my head in the sand at all. I'm quite aware of how nature can be very cruel and I understand predatory wild animals killing for survival. I'm also very aware of the competition between male animals for territory and how brutal that can be. Wild animals will fiercely defend a food source, some mother animals will very fiercely defend their young, etc. etc. I can go on for pages over how harsh nature can be. My problem is with a domestic animal being allowed to, without control, harass and kill wildlife. As has been said earlier, there are some places where a dog can be legally shot for such behaviour.
Having said that, I do appreciate your voicing your point of view. It's wonderful to live in countries (Canada and US) which allow us to speak our opinions freely.

 

[Gayle]

Speaking for myself, I don't have my head in the sand at all. I'm quite aware of how nature can be very cruel and I understand predatory wild animals killing for survival. I'm also very aware of the competition between male animals for territory and how brutal that can be. Wild animals will fiercely defend a food source, some mother animals will very fiercely defend their young, etc. etc. I can go on for pages over how harsh nature can be. My problem is with a domestic animal being allowed to, without control, harass and kill wildlife. As has been said earlier, there are some places where a dog can be legally shot for such behaviour.
Having said that, I do appreciate your voicing your point of view. It's wonderful to live in countries (Canada and US) which allow us to speak our opinions freely.

What Lori said!

There's a big difference between a wild animal killing for survival and a well fed domestic dog chasing and killing for sport. When we domesticate our animals, it is our responsibility to control and channel these instincts, for the well-being of our dogs and the wildlife.

As for being a rescue dog...I'll just say that RESCUE DOGS ROCK!!! Yes, some come with baggage, but I've seen aggression problems come from breeders as well.

Also, nobody attacked the OP for Pete's sake! She asked of this behavior was a problem, and she got some pretty darn good advice for correcting it.

 

[meowracer]

Speaking for myself, I don't have my head in the sand at all. I'm quite aware of how nature can be very cruel and I understand predatory wild animals killing for survival. I'm also very aware of the competition between male animals for territory and how brutal that can be. Wild animals will fiercely defend a food source, some mother animals will very fiercely defend their young, etc. etc. I can go on for pages over how harsh nature can be. My problem is with a domestic animal being allowed to, without control, harass and kill wildlife. As has been said earlier, there are some places where a dog can be legally shot for such behaviour.
Having said that, I do appreciate your voicing your point of view. It's wonderful to live in countries (Canada and US) which allow us to speak our opinions freely.

What Lori said!

There's a big difference between a wild animal killing for survival and a well fed domestic dog chasing and killing for sport. When we domesticate our animals, it is our responsibility to control and channel these instincts, for the well-being of our dogs and the wildlife.

As for being a rescue dog...I'll just say that RESCUE DOGS ROCK!!! Yes, some come with baggage, but I've seen aggression problems come from breeders as well.

Also, nobody attacked the OP for Pete's sake! She asked of this behavior was a problem, and she got some pretty darn good advice for correcting it.

Yes and Yes, Lori and Gayle.

Havingfun: I think rescue dogs are awesome - and I did mention that you may never know their background/history. The owner has a responsibility to her dog - that she rescued - and to other animals (some who could one day include someone's beloved pet) to keep the dog leashed and seek professional training. It's not like leashing the dog is torture. How many dogs never get to go for walks, or are tied up or in a small run? This is one lucky dog - to be rescued and to get to go for walks and have a home. The OP sought advice and then felt threatened or attacked - whatever. She was given valid advice. If anything, I felt like she had little regard for the lives her dog had taken/almost taken. Maybe I am wrong there, but that's the vibe I got given her original post and response. She left an animal to possibly die in pain. To me, that is not acceptable. Her dog caused the animal pain, her dog that she let run unleashed, knowing what she is capable of. I do not feel any sand in my ears, hair, eyes, nose, scratching my face, etc, thank you very much. We all have our opinions. That is mine. Nature is not perfect, humans are not perfect, animals are not perfect. We all have to try and get along though and that is the whole point - to do whatever we can to foster that possibility.

 

[horseshowmom]

I was going to stay out of this, but it keeps bumping up. I feel it very apparent that the replies posted were out of genuine concern for the OP's problem with her dog. I am ridiculously sensitive to conflict and the only posts I have read were anything but judgmental.
Yes, nature is cruel, but does that mean we shouldn't have compassion towards wild creatures? I was recently heartbroken to walk past a squirrel which had been hit, but not killed. I felt so helpless seeing the poor creature's suffering and not being able to help it.
I don't think KILLING all prey is normal behavior for a domesticated pet. Chasing is certainly to be expected, but to kill (or try to kill) everything it can, that's a problem.
Every training book I've read clearly states that if your dog can not be trusted to return immediately to you upon command, it shouldn't be allowed off leash. I have a retriever and I know it is not easy to train them, but it is for their safety.
The replies to the original question have been thoughtful and caring. I have been impressed by the knowledge and suggestions posted.

 

[PhyllisG]

I have 2 rescue dogs and they are wonderful. I found that the rescue organizations were very straightforward in their descriptions of the dogs and I asked questions so I would have some idea of the personality of the dog I was thinking of adopting. The second one I never even met. He was transported from GA to NY after 2 very long conversations over the phone about our home and how he would fit into it. I was told by both groups that if there were any problems the dog had to be returned to them. I strongly believe that if you cannot control your dog off lead he needs to be leashed. That is for his safety as well as for the safety of people and other animals. If nothing else your dog could be hurt, shot and even killed. We have bears, coyotes and other smaller wildlife where I live and you have to be mindful of dangerous situations your dog could get into if he can't follow basic commands.

 

[fit44]

I don't think KILLING all prey is normal behavior for a domesticated pet. Chasing is certainly to be expected, but to kill (or try to kill) everything it can, that's a problem.
Every training book I've read clearly states that if your dog can not be trusted to return immediately to you upon command, it shouldn't be allowed off leash. I have a retriever and I know it is not easy to train them, but it is for their safety.

ITA! If dog does not return on the very first call or hand signal every single recall- they are not ready to roam free off leash. This is why there are leash laws. It seems too many people ignore that little law.
It is for the animal's safety and for the safety of others.
My boxer girl has been attacked twice by a "friendly" dog running off leash. It's the most terrifying experience to be charged at by a dog off leash with a owner who has zero control.

 

[jlsahli]

It's the most terrifying experience to be charged at by a dog off leash with a owner who has zero control.

Right on Cynthia!! My thoughts exactly!!! It is absolutely terrifying. I do carry dog mace (Halt!) and thankfully I haven't had to use it yet, but unfortunately I don't take them to the park as much as I should because every time something happens - there are so many owners that let their dog off leash. I walk them in the neighborhood regularly but even so there are so many folks that open their doors, let their dogs out and don't bother to make sure they stay in their own yard. It is so frustrating, so many folks think that they are above the law and it makes life difficult for the rest of us.

 

[Tamrahan]

This can't be emphasized enough IMO.

Right on Cynthia!! My thoughts exactly!!! It is absolutely terrifying.
there are so many folks that open their doors, let their dogs out and don't bother to make sure they stay in their own yard. It is so frustrating, so many folks think that they are above the law and it makes life difficult for the rest of us.

My 'hood has a couple of these people.
This one dog came toward me and my 3, who were on leashes. The owner did call him off and of course the dog ignored him so the owner had to come out to the street to get the dog and without so much as an apology. My heart was pounding when it was all over from anger and fright.

 

[BrendaJean13]

The OP's dog is out of control.

Think for a moment - what if the dog had been a pit bull?

What if the prey had been a toddler?

Scary.

 

[DirtDiva]

You asked for opinions without first giving any info about your dog except that it killed other animals, and you did that in enough detail to make me want to hurl and cry at the same time.

So, yeah, it is personal and I just don't want you to cause the pain to somebody else that I have experienced, not to mention anymore pain to innocent animals out there.

Shana.......I know we've talked about this, I'm still so sorry for you.... I wish I could hug you.

 

[pink_fortitude]

The OP's dog is out of control.

Think for a moment - what if the dog had been a pit bull?

What if the prey had been a toddler?

Scary.

But the dog wasn't a pit bull. This situation proves that it isn't pit bulls that are "bad", but even a pet with the most friendly and lovable reputation is capable of predator instinct and killing, that ALL pets need to be well-trained. ;]

I also don't see any harsh replies here, don't understand what happened with OP? Susan, I hope that you will reconsider and reread these replies and take them to heart. There is great advice here from very wise and experienced dog owners. And also as a side note: my dogs were never let off of a leash until they would listen to my commands no matter what situation they were in, whether people were around or not. It is dangerous not just for other animals but also for your dog. I know it's hard, and that it's fun to watch them run around and be free, but their safety and the safety of those around them is more important than their "feelings".

Melissa

 

[BrendaJean13]

But the dog wasn't a pit bull. This situation proves that it isn't pit bulls that are "bad", but even a pet with the most friendly and lovable reputation is capable of predator instinct and killing, that ALL pets need to be well-trained. ;]


Exactly

 

[caseysmomgo]

As an avid dog lover, I can't help but put in my 2 cents...

I have a Yellow Lab who's the sweetest thing, very smart (of course, aren't all of our dogs the most intelligent??) very well-behaved 99% of the time, but I never let him off leash except when he's in our fenced-in back yard, and even then I monitor him. He is always "nose to the ground" sniffing everything, and sometimes when he's in his "tracking mode", it's almost like he's in a trance and hardly anything I can say can snap him out of it. It's that 1% of the time that he doesn't listen that could get him into real trouble.

He's chased animals/birds before but has never tried to hurt them, but I don't ever want to take the chance of him doing so, or especially taking the chance of him getting hurt himself. Some wild animals have diseases, etc that your dog could contract from them when killing them or possibly getting bitten by them. As others have said, coming in contact with a bear, for example, could end up in dire consequences for your dog.

So, OP, please don't be offended by everyone's posts. All dog lovers, by their nature, are nurturing, good people and only have the best intentions to keep you, your dog, and any wild critters safe and sound.

 

[joejack]

The OP's dog is out of control.

Think for a moment - what if the dog had been a pit bull?

What if the prey had been a toddler?

Scary.

Why think about those two things? They had NOTHING to do with the OP's situation.

 

[joejack]

My dog is a black lab. I frequently take her on walks where she is allowed to run off the leash.

She is a rescue dog, and I have never owned a dog before.

Her death toll...

9 ground hogs

2 foxes (one today)

1 baby bird

1 house mouse

1 mole

she eats bugs when she can, including bees

1/2 raccoon (I was able to call her off before she finished it off, but it looked really shaky when we left it.)

Damn near chased a fawn to death, but I was able to intercept her. Who new fawns could scream like that?



Why does she do this? Does your dog do this too? I try to call her off when I can but she's so freakin' fast! Then I wonder if I should interrupt her, lest she get bit big time by whatever she's trying to kill because she's not paying attention.

I suppose I could keep her on the leash at all times, but she does enjoy a good run, which I think is healthy for hunting/sport dogs. When we walk by the creek she doesn't do this, she just jumps in and out of the water.

And she doesn't do this everytime, because even off the 6ft leash, she is connected to me by an electronic collar, and I do keep her fairly close. But sometimes, man, she just gets a noseful of whatever, and bam!, she's off!

What is/are your opinion(s)?

Thanks!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm completely sympathetic. My dogs will kill animals too. It's a terrible thing to try to control. Good luck!

 

[hiitdogs]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm completely sympathetic. My dogs will kill animals too. It's a terrible thing to try to control. Good luck!

I am quite unsympathetic to people who let their dogs kill and just shrugg their shoulders and say that it's a terrible thing but they do what they can. If you can't control your dog, get a goldfish because it is only a small step from a small animal to a toddler!

 

[PhyllisG]

Why is it a terrible thing to control? Leash your dog! Just seeing that happen once would be so traumatic for me that I would be worried to let my dogs loose. I would not want to witness it again.

 

[fit_fairy]

I am quite unsympathetic to people who let their dogs kill and just shrugg their shoulders and say that it's a terrible thing but they do what they can. If you can't control your dog, get a goldfish because it is only a small step from a small animal to a toddler!

ITA Carola.

 

[coloradomama]

Why is it a terrible thing to control? Leash your dog! Just seeing that happen once would be so traumatic for me that I would be worried to let my dogs loose. I would not want to witness it again.

I've been trying to stay out of this discussion but finally decided to pipe in. I completely agree with this statement. I know for a fact that my dogs are not well behaved enough to be off of a leash outside of the house. One of them would turn around and shimmy out of his collar so they have to wear a harness instead. I love my dogs but if they killed a small animal while not on a leash, that would be the last time EVER that they were let off of a leash, no matter how well behaved they were the rest of the time.

The list of animals that the OP's dog has killed is way too long. It is also the kind of thing that can get them in trouble with police/animal control and if they catch you, you can get in a lot of trouble for your animal harassing wildlife. Not stopping the behavior from the get go makes the dog think it's okay to do what it's doing.

 

[lori254]

I wonder how someone would feel if something killed their wildlife-harassing dog? I've heard of people taking their dogs with them out to our beautiful Rocky Mountains, and letting the animal run off leash. Dog provokes bear, bear kills dog. Or worse, the bear chases the dog who runs back to its owner and...well, I won't go there. A dog which is not under control and its owner may someday pay a price.