CRAPPY WEEK, REALLY......

[emjay]

Well, I have had one of the worst weeks I've had in a while.
Started off with my son and five other young kids in a runaway motorhome. Lucky it didn't run to far and no one was hurt, except a truck parked beside it.
Then my son (four years old) drew with permanent marker all over his room.
Then today come home to holes dug up around my wonderful rabbits run and a mutilated, dead rabbit, and a ripped up rose garden.
My little Thumper was one of the most friendliest bunnies I've ever met. He loved attention.
He was also a rescue.
I am devastated
How do you train a dog now who's got such high prey drive and who has now killed. COnsidering we are moving to an acreage and will be having many small animals.
At this moment, I want to get rid of them.

[TashGaia]

I'm sorry to hear about your bunny.

What kind of dog is it? How old? Does it already have any training?

The best solution might simply be to find some way to dog-proof the rabbit area.

[swissgrl]

So sorry emjay, that sucks. We rescued a bunny once, and my dog got to it through the cage. We kept them in separate areas after that.
Glad your son is okay though. Ah permanent marker, my neighbour went through that. And people wonder why I don't have kids
Hang in there, it's almost weekend

[agilitygal]

Oh, how very sad. Poor little rabbit. I do believe that you have a real problem. Once a dog has killed like that, they will kill again. Sorry. Hope you can find him a good home where he won't have access to small animals. Everything deserves to be as safe as we can make it.

[emjay]

I know, I am so stressed about this right now.
I tried to do a good thing by adopting two rescue dogs, in turn I get chaos and sadness.

right now, I am at a loss.

I am going to apply to be on a show here in Canada, with a professional dog trainer, who does wonders

[kidznhorses]

So sorry you're having a rough time, emjay! Don't forget to look at the positives as you did with your son not getting hurt in the motor home. You can paint over permanent marker. Kids will be kids and I'll bet he won't do that again! You DID do a great thing by adopting those dogs! Hopefully you will get on that dog trainer show! That would be so awesome. If not, perhaps you can rehome the pup where there are no small animals. If the bunnies at the new place are loose, unfortunately, they will be end up being the dog's chew toys. Same probably goes for any chickens you may get. I'll bet with some good screening you can find the dog a great home if you are unable to find training assistance.

So sorry about your bunny!

[emjay]

my hubby is saying if I find new homes for the dogs that I can never have another. I can't imagine not having a dog in my home.
He thinks they are all "killers" and that none can coexist peacefully with other animals.
They coexist fine with the cat. inside.

I know many dogs who are great with other animals. sadly, it's not mine. But, I can't not ever own a dog.
He isn't a dog guy, I don't know what to do.
I have put a call into the SPCA where I adopted them from, see if I can find a solution.

[kidznhorses]

Your husband can't truly mean that, does he? He knows how much you love dogs! This is awful! Perhaps you can tell him you will rehome these dogs IF you can get another one that will live in harmony with everyone. I'm so sorry! Not fair at all!

[flecharojo]

Sorry to hear about your week. Unfortunately when dogs learn how to kill, they will kill again. But that statement by your husband is short-sided. Can't remember the last time I heard of a toy poodle killing another animal and I've been working with dogs professionally for 10 years! You've done well taking in rescues and doing the best you can. It's hard to know the history of an adult animal and we all mean well. But we can get in over our heads. What's your husband going to do if you get another dog? How drastic is he willing to be? Seems silly on his part.

Offer to find middle ground. Ask him to be part of the process of finding another dog and promise him you will take the dog to training every week to ensure it is a safe, well-mannered dog. Dogs are pack animals that thrive on stimulation.

[emjay]

I know now that they have the taste of blood that it's hard to bounce back from. I worry about my kids, I know that the bigger one, Buddy is very loving of people and hope that this is just a "bunny" thing.
However, that said. I love all animals and know that if he gets on the acreage and kills again, he may not get a second chance. I don't have the ability to cope with something being savagely killed. To live in the wild and survive is one thing, but, being a well fed, loved pet and killing another is a totally different thing.
I have sent in an application for help from a very very good dog trainer.

My hubby is serious about the not having another dog, I think I may be able to convince him otherwise down the road, but, today while this tragedy is still fresh in our minds, it's a no way.
I am still awaiting a call back from the SPCA.

It's sad as these dogs get out every day for a big run and playtime, they have bones and toys, lots of stuff to do.
So, I do wonder if the rabbit had escaped on its own and the dogs saw it and thought "playtime" and the prey drive in them took over, as I do know it's a dog thing. I just don't like the savageness of what they did to THumper and to my garden.
This was the first time Buddy had not seen us for more then a day, was just left with my mums Hubby, who is living with us.
Did he panic from seperation anxiety and go loopy or is he just a prey driven jerk.
so frustrated right now.
But trying and weighing out all options.
WIll keep you posted on the show application.
AT THE END OF MY LEASH is what the show is called.

[cutiepiepmu]

I know you are frazzled - but, step back - take a breath - and revamp. See if a family memeber can watch the kids for a couple of hours either in the afternoon/evening and send your hubby to go do something "guy stuff" related. It will take a TAD of coordination - but take a little down time. Even an hour.

When things start to pile up like this, it is REALLY important we can take a step back from the stress and put things back into perspective. Take a hot bath - or simply sit on the couch and stare at the TV. don't do house work or chores - don't wait on anyone or do anything for anyone but yourself during that time. It is IMPORTANT. Mom is the heart of the house and when you fall to pieces, things around you crumble:) So - TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN MENTAL STATE FIRST

Now - with that said i am so sorry about the loss of your bunny

What kind of dogs do you have??? Certain breeds/cross breeds are going to be apt to have higher pray drive than others - this certainly does NOT mean that these types of dogs are man or would hurt their peopel - but, then have a more dominant nature and need a stronger, more athoritive owner. For instance a german shepard, pit bull, lab or even border collie is going to have a TON more drive and energy to herd and hunt than a boston terrier, pug, or something like a newfie(although some newfies have a high SWIMd drive!). I think in your situation considerng the BREED of the dog and what they were not only bred genetically to do, but how they are raised is key.

Next to that is trainig. ALL dogs need at minimum basic obedience that they have down solid. /Sit, stay, down, halt, come, and wait are the minimums for me. And - when I ask my dogs - I say it ONCE and expect results I am the most kind hearted person - but this stuff is just as important as when you tell your young kid - NO - don't touch its hot!!! If my dogs are running after something in full force - if I say NO - it gets attention - followed by HALT- at that poin they should be stopped dead in their tracks - then i ask them to come. It takes time to get to this point and requires EVERYONE to be on the same page in the famlily - which means training sessions are a FAMILY thing.

Was your husband ever attacked by a dog or witness an attack? Generally the fears he is expressing stem from something. Maybe the answer is to expose your husband to other dogs that are calm, sweet, well trained. Or - have you considered SMALL dogs??? A pug is like a cat that barks and fetches But - has the big dog mentality I have NEVER seen a pug or boston terrier (mini-boxer!) attack another animal maybe the key here is to bring home a dog that your husband doesn't feel threatened by.

Also - having a kennel set up outside that is large enough for them to play in that has a SOLID bottom under the dirt(so a chain link bottom) that they can't dig under is important. Some even need the same thing on top. Make the kennel a FUN, CLEAN place that they are in only whe you can't watch them.

it is OK to rehome your dogs to a different/better situation if you can't provide a situation that is not only conducive to your dogs health, happiness, and well being - but can also provide that same thing for your family with the dogs. If you have constant fear of what they will do next - it is not going to be good for you, your family, OR the dogs.

The kids now - well - I do'nt have kids so can't give any real advice here othe than - you can buy the HUGE pads of plain white paper - the ones that are like 3 feet by 4-5 feet at Staples. Maybe the answer to the drawing problem is to offer an alternative thatis A-ok to draw on?? Give the creative outlet without the crazy mess for you.

Hang in there!!!

Sara

[emjay]

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.
I am supposed to be packing today, but, can't bring myself to being too useful right now.

I did go out and sit with the dogs, Koda seemed to be the one who most understood I was upset, I sat down in the run with them, normally when I do this they get rambuctious and play with each other, not today. Instead Koda sulked over to me, licked my face, then laid down with his head on my lap. He isn't a people dog like Buddy.
Buddy didn't seem to know what was wrong, which makes me think that he is naturally prey driven. He is a shephard cross and was picked up as a stray, so thus probably fed on rabbits to survive, most likely he only sees them as a food source or play toy, as I'm sure alot of dogs do. Sadly though, we consider them pets.

Hubby is still unimpressed by them, and I think prior he was just starting to kind of like them as he would occassionaly call them on the bed for a cuddle. I am thinking the love has stopped for a while.
I will be more then super anal when it comes to building the next dog run. It may be like a prison wall when I'm through. I don't want to have to deal with something like this again.

[beckybee]

I got my malamute when he was 18 months old. He had a strong prey drive.

I have kitties, so the first few days he was on leash whenever he was in the same room with the cats. I would divert him if he was a little too intent on the cats and reprimand him if he chased. It was probably 6 months before I would leave him home alone with access to the cats.

All was well and good until I went to visit a friend on property with chickens (where I'm living now). The chickens were free ranging and Sage was in my sights for about an hour, then dissapeared behind the house. He caught one of the chickens before I could get him. (How she survived I have no idea.) I implemented "Becky Boot Camp" and he did about 2 hours of intense obedience (heel, sit, lay, stay, recall). When I got home, we got serious about basic obedience and the dog whisperer stuff (people first through doorways, no eating until released, etc.).

When we moved up and took over the chickens, the first couple weeks we spent a lot of time hanging out around the chicken pen. Whenever he got that predator look in his eye, I made him heel or sit-stay. When I let the chickens out to free range again, he had one chase, I yelled at him and made him heel-sit-stay and he was done. No chase ever again.

I also had a German Shorhair Pointer that was given to us because he was a chicken killer. We had him for a couple months then got some chicks. He watched us raise them, play with them, feed them. Once he knew that the chickens were his people's, he never chased them. He would actually pick them up and carry them to the tack room so they would sleep with him and keep him warm!

So I don't think you can't rehab them once they kill. They just have to know you are the alpha and they can't hunt anything until you tell them to - never! (or at least nothing living)

[Tate]

As hidious as it sounds, the old ranchers would tell you to tie the deceased bunny around his neck for a day, not sure if it works, but they swear by it. My lab killed a wild bunny last year, I expressed my disappoint with him verbally several times, and so far he has never tried it again. I agree with everything Beckybee says,and the dog must respect you enough to know he does not have permission to chase anything. I wish we could send Cesar Milan to you. I love his training techniques.

[toeps]

I am so sorry you had such a crappy week!

Jun 5, 2009 15:06:10 GMT -5 Tate said:

As hidious as it sounds, the old ranchers would tell you to tie the deceased bunny around his neck for a day, not sure if it works, but they swear by it. My lab killed a wild bunny last year, I expressed my disappoint with him verbally several times, and so far he has never tried it again. I agree with everything Beckybee says,and the dog must respect you enough to know he does not have permission to chase anything. I wish we could send Cesar Milan to you. I love his training techniques.

I know this would be very hard with your pet bunny but it does work. I have some friends who's pup killed a chicken and the vet is the one who actually told them to wrap it in chicken wire, tie it to the pups collar until it literally fell off. They could hardly stand the smell but that pup never even looked at another chicken

4 yrs old and things that write I think it's instinctive! Not really but every one of my kid went thru that stage as 4 yr olds. I have one that may make you feel better. When my twins were almost 2, I had laid them down for a nap and when the time passed that they were usually up I went and checked on them to find one of them (they shared a crib) had taken off their diaper and BOTH of them were painted head to toe in sh!t. The walls where they could reach, the crib, their hair, their bodies, EVERYTHING they could reach was smeared! OMG! I threw up, threw them in the tub and spent the rest of the day scrubbing and disinfecting. Bedtime from then on consisted of changing them into zip-up jammies put on backwards with the zipper pinned.