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DOG KILLING OTHER ANIMALS
QUESTION: I took in an adult large breed dog that
had already been through two homes. In the first home it
started killing cats. In the second home cats and a pet ferret
were killed. Today, I took her out into the country for some
much needed exercise off leash. She went into a farmer’s field
and attacked a sheep. It took all my strength to pull her off
before she killed it. I am keeping her muzzled right now when
outside. I also have two other dogs that watch her doing these
things. Can I retrain this dog, not to kill other animals?
ANSWER: Sorry to say but I have yet to stop a dog
from killing once it has had that first taste of blood and the
high excitement of the kill. One dog I worked extensively with
for a solid year would not kill a cat or another dog in my
presence. She learned to not even look at them. But the second
my back was turned it was game over. She just couldn’t help
it. The excitement of the chase and then the kill was too much
for her to control. Sadly, she had to be put down for other
animal’s sake.
One more thing I must point out to you having worked
extensively with dogs in pack situations. A dog that gives
chase, then attacks and/or kills teaches the other dogs to do
the same. For instance, a Jack Russell Terrier who killed cats
taught three couch potato, tiny toy poodles to do the same.
Although one alone could not do it, the three of them working
together could. They would simply maul the poor cat to death.
That Lady had to find separate homes for them with no cats.
Thank you for taking her in and giving her a good home.
Please remember a muzzled dog cannot PANT sufficiently
in hot whether to cool themselves leading to heat stroke.
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