Well at a rally in a large field recently I let my dog off the lead away from the vans. He had his usual sniff around etc. Then his ears pricked up and he chased a grey squirrel up a tree, which made me chuckle. Then the stupid squirrel ran back down to run up another tree by which time my dog caught him by the scruff of the neck and shook him a few times. I shouted leave and he dropped it straight away but it was too late he wasn't moving. This all happened in a couple of seconds and couldn't believe that my dog could do that, I really thought i knew him.
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
you can console yourself with the thought that they are a pest & have caused near extinction of our native squirrel
in England.
although I know how you feel, as I get the same feeling when our cat comes in with a mouse or bird
Quote: Originally posted by old chap on 09/6/2012you can console yourself with the thought that they are a pest & have caused near extinction of our native squirrel
in England.
although I know how you feel, as I get the same feeling when our cat comes in with a mouse or bird
It wasn't that squirrel's fault though was it that the red squirrel was driven out. It was a creature of the country and should have been safe. We have them around our house and they do no harm.
All grey squirrels should be exterminated. We never trust our dog off the lead on a campsite. Being a terrier she would get herself stuck down some rabbit hole.
I don't know a dog that wouldn't chase a squirrel - but the squirrel must have been pretty slow to have got caught, that doesn't happen often.
It's a natural thing for a dog to do what your dog did, it's just nature. It's upsetting, I know, but, as old chap says, cats often catch mice and other small animals and birds, you just don't normally see it happen.
My deerhound lurcher (gone but not forgotten) caught a squirrel once and did exactly the same... Amazing to think they can be quick enough to catch one! I didn't believe a dog could until I saw mine do it as well.
The dead squirrel got thrown into the hedgerow, and was gone the next day, I assumed the local foxes had had an easy take-away out of that one!
I kept mine on a lead on campsites, this was in fields following a footpath near home.
As much as we love our dogs we should always be aware that they are animals with deep rooted instincts. Last week my dog caught a mouse which died (maybe from shock as they are delicate things).
Quote: Originally posted by homebird2003 on 09/6/2012
As much as we love our dogs we should always be aware that they are animals with deep rooted instincts. Last week my dog caught a mouse which died (maybe from shock as they are delicate things).
Cats are more cunning they can keep a mouse alive and play with it for ages.
Your dog should be congratulated fro removing a pest. How many of us have seen a red squirrel in the wild. We have never seen one! A caravan park near us pays people to come in and shoot the grey squirrel.
Just to set the record straight on campsites I always have my dog on a lead and also use a ground spike. On this occasion though the rally was just a field and I opened the gate to the next field for him to have a run as he is a greyhound. He is sooo good natured our 2 cats sleep with him he barks about once a month. I just couldn't believe it - it was so quick 3 or 4 paces picked it up, shook it, dropped it - he wasn't even aggressive as if it was a game. Mind you I went back sometime later and it was gone there were birds of prey about also the odd fox
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
These are animals, people. They do not have the human traits of fair play and compassion .... something moves, you chase, you kill - dogs and cats are preditors.
I have a GSD and she is amazingly friendly to people - but, if something moves and she is loose, she will want to chase.
His breed has a lot to do with it, he's a sight hound , my sister has two rescue ex racing greyhounds, lovely girls in everyway, but if they spot a small furry you won't see them for dust, they have to be on a lead all the time, it's bred into them, its what they do.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
There is a big park close to where I live and I let him off the lead and he chases the rabbits he is an ex racer but in the 3 years I have had him he has never caught one. I thought he just liked the chase and he was getting exercised too as well as me. If ever I say leave or recall him he does it straight away that's why I had confidence in him.
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: I really thought I knew him
