I need help training my dog not to chase smaller animals; cats, puppies and small dogs?
September 4th, 2009
My dog is an Australian Shepard/Border collie mix. He is 8 years old, I have had him for approx 18 months. He spent the first 7 or so years on a chain. When I first got him he would barely come to me and didnt come around any men for about 3 months. Now, he goes to about anyone and rolls over for me to rub his belly. We have a 175 acre farm so he gets plenty of exercise. The only thing that is the fly in the ointment is the fact that he dosent get along with cats and smaller dogs. We need cats on our farm but he keeps chasing them away. He also goes after smaller dogs and puppies. Some of the other family members want to get rid of him for this. I have told them they will be ripping my heart out if they get rid of him. How can I break him of this or show him it isnt acceptable behavior. Curiously, he dosent chase the rabbits which are very abundant.
First of all, unfortunately when you rescue a pet, they come with bad habits, and its really hard to change them. But, you did a very good thing with helping the poor guy out.
He is protecting his new territory. He doesn’t want competition, the other animals around to take the attention away from him. First of all, NEVER say "its alright, its not going to hurt you" or be at all attentive to him when he starts to run after another animal. Even though you know you are trying to stop him, he doesn’t see it at that, if you talk to him in a calm manner when he is like that, he thinks that he is being praised.
If it won’t get you hurt, one stragegy or start would be making him realize that you are the boss, and what you say goes. This is accomplished a lot of different ways, such as taking food away while he is eating, or even using the sit/stay combo, while you throw a toy, or you even through a treat.
I have a part lab, part beagle, part terrier, part hound (he’s a major mutt) but, I have worked with him since we got him and he was 8 weeks old. When he is playing, I can say stop, and although he doesn’t stop right away most of the time (he is still only 4 months) a lot of the times he will stop and look at me as if he wants to say "what?!" and then i follow it with the come command and he does. It will take a while before he realize what "stop" means. . . . put him on a leash, and when you are walking with him, say stop, and make him stop and then say "sit" and make him sit. Just keep going, even though there won’t be any change for a while, he’ll eventually get it. That way if he is chasing my cats, or chasing someone he shouldn’t or even outside running off. . . . i can get him to stop and come back, no matter how bad he wants to do whatever it is he is doing. He’s young though, training him this way is a lot easier than it will be for you, you will just have to be very consistant, and very stern and spend A LOT of time with him. Be patient, but never give up.
Good Luck.
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September 4th, 2009 at 9:32 am
A private trainer?obedience training
References :
September 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
It’s in his nature to chase smaller animals. That is what shepards and collies were bred to do. Considering his age, you might not be able to break him of the habit. (It would be difficult even as a puppy due to inbred instincts.) It might be better to just keep an eye on him and prevent him from chasing the other animals.
However, someone with a lot of dog training experience may be able to help. Good luck!
References :
September 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am
I highly recommend obedience training for all dogs, but obedience training wouldn’t help this situation. You need him to behave even when you are not supervising him and giving commands.
Best thing to do is get a shock collar with a remote control. He won’t put it together that you are punishing him. He will just start getting a jolt whenever he looks at small furries and will learn real quick to avoid a shock is to avoid chasing animals.
Good Luck
References :
September 4th, 2009 at 10:55 am
First of all, unfortunately when you rescue a pet, they come with bad habits, and its really hard to change them. But, you did a very good thing with helping the poor guy out.
He is protecting his new territory. He doesn’t want competition, the other animals around to take the attention away from him. First of all, NEVER say "its alright, its not going to hurt you" or be at all attentive to him when he starts to run after another animal. Even though you know you are trying to stop him, he doesn’t see it at that, if you talk to him in a calm manner when he is like that, he thinks that he is being praised.
If it won’t get you hurt, one stragegy or start would be making him realize that you are the boss, and what you say goes. This is accomplished a lot of different ways, such as taking food away while he is eating, or even using the sit/stay combo, while you throw a toy, or you even through a treat.
I have a part lab, part beagle, part terrier, part hound (he’s a major mutt) but, I have worked with him since we got him and he was 8 weeks old. When he is playing, I can say stop, and although he doesn’t stop right away most of the time (he is still only 4 months) a lot of the times he will stop and look at me as if he wants to say "what?!" and then i follow it with the come command and he does. It will take a while before he realize what "stop" means. . . . put him on a leash, and when you are walking with him, say stop, and make him stop and then say "sit" and make him sit. Just keep going, even though there won’t be any change for a while, he’ll eventually get it. That way if he is chasing my cats, or chasing someone he shouldn’t or even outside running off. . . . i can get him to stop and come back, no matter how bad he wants to do whatever it is he is doing. He’s young though, training him this way is a lot easier than it will be for you, you will just have to be very consistant, and very stern and spend A LOT of time with him. Be patient, but never give up.
Good Luck.
References :
September 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am
When he does this, say no. If you want, go ahead, right then and there, smack him and say no. Put him on the chain for an hour. He might not do this if you do this repeatedly, he will eventually listen
References :