Chasing Rabbits

[RangerFamily]

So I have a whole colony of rabbits dwelling on my property. They are always around and Duke wants to run them down so bad. At times It makes walking him very difficult. He just wants to run to wherever that scent goes and won't relax unless I lead to the small front yard. Even there he still looks back like he knows he's missing out on a good rundown. I can't seem to distract him long enough to redirect his attention. I got him to sit for almost a minute but he started barking at the field, stood up and tried to make a dash for it. I had to quickly run a few steps to ease him to a stop so he wouldn't give himself whiplash.

[Susiesmom]

Hi Ranger Family,

I have had a similar issue with my dog Susie and squirrels. I live in Chicago, and in the fall all the squirrels are out frantically getting ready for winter. Since I live in the city, we go to Lincoln Park everyday to train, play, jog, and go potty. Well, Susie goes potty anyway, I try to hold it until we get back home . It was very hard last year to keep her attention at all outside.

Susie wears a backpack when we go to the farmers market or corner store. She does a good "job" of helping me carry the groceries. She likes her job, so I started taking her outside with her backpack filled with waterbottles so she thought she was working. This helped a lot, but it was a pain using it for a whole month.
Hope that helps!

[Drizlaru]

Even from a training perspective, some dogs will never be able to control that drive to hunt for prey, and god forbid one runs across their path. Even with solid OB, some types of prey for some dogs is just too much. He will have to stay on a leash probably for the rest of his life while out in public.

However, impulse control and teaching to leave something alone is completely doable. We are trying to control his movement after-all right? (You are using a leash!)

Sitting while trying to refocus with a distraction behind him, would be one of the last places of proofing against distraction. Not a good start place, and here's why. Your not only asking for obedience amongst distraction, your asking for focus while his brain is processing the smell of the hunt behind him. So he's processing too much information all at once, and not giving you what you want, forcing you into one of three places, correction, tolerance, or repeated attempts.

Think of it more like a desensitizing routine. Training at distance for focus, and compliance, then gradually getting closer to the problem (dog, people, whatever). Any reaction backs up training and distance increases away from the distraction, then continues. A full blown reaction of aggression towards the problem starts training at the beginning again. During this routine, your not only training focus, your training yourself how to play better and retain focus.

Gradually you get closer to the problem and he will retain focus on you and what your doing. It is a process, but it works, and he will be more likely to give exactly what your asking for through a "want" to comply, instead of stress and the "need" to comply.

Now when he knows what your asking, you know for sure 100% that he knows what your asking, and he is choosing not to comply with your commands. Then it's time for a correction, but only when you know for absolutely sure that he's blowing you off. Depending on how hard or soft he is, is how much of a correction to give.

With my own dogs, I am their dictator. I gave them both my word that I would be fair, consistent, loving, and caring. I will teach the rules, and I expect them to be followed. Failure to do so is met with swift justice. Compliance is rewarded, and encouraged. All I expect in return is loyalty and obedience.

It might sound harsh, but when there's a problem, they come running to get me.

(p.s. Anyone think of why body positions are taught at a young age as basics, and not something else?

Because it asserts your leadership position, and your right as leader to control where and what they do with their body at a young age. It is your right as leader to control the movement of any member of your pack, regardless of their age. Yes, you can tell your spouse I said that. )

[RangerFamily]

Thank you for the tips. So I think then at this point the best thing I can do is bring him back in the house for a few, then try again. I live on four acres and my yard accounts for two acres. Seems that when there is a rabbit near. There is nowhere in the yard we can be that he is willing to drop the hunt. This morning I put him on a 20ft leash and he still didn't go more than 3ft from my side but with the short leash he often wants to try to guide me. I usually run with him a lot to wear him down before any other play or potty venture. Seems to help. but if there is a rabbit trail under his nose he would drag me right through the field of tall grass and chiggers if I let him. I will keep you posted on our next rabbit encounter.

[RangerFamily]

So you say I should take it slow. Desensitize. Don't expect him to sit, but stay there at a distance from the distraction and let it ride out. To let him get the idea that, yes the rabbits are there. No I can't chase them, If I don't I can be doing something else, like watching this human do silly tricks and give me yummy treats when I do my ever so awesome tricks for him.....

[Drizlaru]

What your looking for is that point where his focus shifts to rabbits on the brain, and work from there. Both inside, and outside. Distance will help you in determining where that point is in relation to your property.

I'm interested to know, does he know his manners when exiting and entering the house? How is his impulse control on walks/runs? Does he know what "leave it" (or whatever your word is) means? Is he food or toy driven? Does he listen to you inside the house? Does he listen to you at distance? How much obedience have you done with him? What has he been taught? Have you used correction collars on him? If so, what kind and why?

We'll start with that, and go from there!

[Marjolein]

Even from a training perspective, some dogs will never be able to control that drive to hunt for prey, and god forbid one runs across their path.

I have one of those

[Drizlaru]

Marjolein, if Dingo or Ivil were doing the bonkers "I want to eat rabbits" dance on the end of the leash, what would you do?

[Marjolein]

Marjolein, if Dingo or Ivil were doing the bonkers "I want to eat rabbits" dance on the end of the leash, what would you do?

you really think a DS is stupid enough to do that while on leash with me at the other end???

On leash is the easy part: you tell them not to, or else...

[Drizlaru]

Marjolein, if Dingo or Ivil were doing the bonkers "I want to eat rabbits" dance on the end of the leash, what would you do?

you really think a DS is stupid enough to do that while on leash with me at the other end???

On leash is the easy part: you tell them not to, or else...

That is the end result of training, and having a relationship with your dog.

[Mark77]

Training shock collar. I let mine run after rabbits, squirrels, then tell him down or return. If he didn't, he got lit up. Now he's completely fine off leash and only chases things when I let him- which is next to never.