How to stop chasing rabbits?

[DENNISH]

Hi - I am sort of new to this forum, and think I need advice. My husband (who is wheel-chair bound) and I rescued a 125 lb. neutered male Rotti two years ago. We think he is about 5 now. He has pulled me off my feet a few times when he has decided to chase something moving, and I was not prepared (I am about the same weight as he is, but not nearly as muscular at 61 years of age). Fortunately, my bones seem to be tough and I have not been hurt so far. Yesterday, however, I took him to the woods with my little granddaughters. I was standing beside a cement road barrier at the top of the trail, and glanced back at one of the little girls. In that moment, a rabbit crossed our path in front of Sam, and he jet propelled himself after it. He pulled me completely over the barrier where I landed on my head and shoulders, and then dragged me a few inches further. I am stiff and sore and scraped today, although I think I am okay otherwise. My husband thinks that he is just too big for me and that we should somehow 'get rid of him.' I love him (Sam) dearly. He is a wonderful dog, loving and obedient. I did get him a prong collar because he is occasionally dog-aggressive, which pretty much has solved the problem. If I had been alert, this wouldn't have happened. Still, I would like some imput from others with more rotti-experience.

[Sargeant_C]

Believe it or not he can be trained not to do that. Old dogs can learn new tricks. Get him in an obedience class and learn some wonderful life saving things or wonderful butt saving ideas.

But with training on how to walk properly you have a chance.

[myzeus]

why don't you put the prong collar on him when you are out on your walks?

[DENNISH]

Well, good idea, but he IS on a prong collar on our walks. He has been through obedience school, and soared in it (best in the class) - he heels well, but that prey drive . . . I can always stop him from taking off after a squirrel or cat, etc., but only if I see it first.

[RottiMomCT]

Obedience training, stay alert , and use that prong collar to keep his attention.

I have a high prey drive male myself, although he is only 85 pounds, he can still pull me off my feet if I don't pay attention. I make sure that if I have to glance behind me or otherwise take my attention off of him, even while on a casual walk, he is sitting, and I have hold of his collar (he wears a buckle collar with his tags and the prong when we're out walking) just in case something tempting crosses his path.

[Patty1231]

Make sure you have a small mm prong and have it positioned properly - that will give you much better control and the smaller ones are more effective than the big ones - why people put those big ones on dogs, I'll never know, looks, I guess. It has to be worn high on the neck, just behind the ears, with the non-prong section where it attaches to the leash on the side of the neck so you can give a proper correction. Also, if he's walking far out ahead of you, you will not be able to give as effective a correction. I've found this worked for me with my high prey drive dog (he even goes after blowing leaves ).

[DENNISH]

Thanks! I'll look into the collar AND pay more attention! It is good to know that it is not just a size issue.

[alexav]

Do yourself a huge favor and purchase a Herm Sprenger brand prong collar. The ones you find in the Petbox stores are cheap and can pop off when you least expect it.
Also, make sure he wears a slip collar in addition to the prong as a back up. Although very rare, if the collar is fitted properly, the HS can pop off too. Just hook your leash to the live ring of the slip as well as the live ring on the prong.

PetEdge.com + Herm Sprenger

[ACERSMOM]

I have a big male that I also had that problem with, only it was with deer instead of rabbits. He has been in OB classes since he was a puppy and has titled in OB, and many other areas, but have a deer jump in front of us and everything goes out the window! You had to always be watching and thinking a head of him, because if he gets that first jump on me it is all over! He definitely knows that it is wrong, but his instinct kicks in and he reacts. Keep the prong on him and keep your lead SHORT. Give him a really sharp correction for lunging out at anything that interests him. The short lead makes all of the difference in the world if they can not get that jump on you. It is not as much fun for the dog to have more freedom on walks, but that freedom has to be earned.

My boy will soon turn 7, and I still have to be careful when walking him in the woods.

[SABELLESMOM]

Oh my! I hope you're better now after that experience. I imagine you were quite sore for a time, poor thing.

I have nothing to add. The Herm Sprenger Prong worn high on the neck in front and just behind the ears works well.

[mook1620]

Hi there,

You said he did an OB class, but most dogs need ongoing training. Check into the next level of classes for him

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by alexav

Do yourself a huge favor and purchase a Herm Sprenger brand prong collar. [/url]

Here's a Canadian company (might be cheaper than shipping from the US). Chris is a good guy - he'll help you out.
http://www.k9toolbox.com/sprenger/index.html

[DENNISH]

Patti: by small mm prong, do you mean the Martingale? Thanks, Trish for the address. I just checked Sam, and he does have a Sprenger collar (the large link one) right now. The smaller link looks good in the pictures . . . More training is probably a really good idea, too. I was taking him to a weekly doggy-walk with about 10-12 other dogs. His trainer was with us, as well. But Sam started being so bossy with the other dogs that I stopped taking him. I think that he noticed that no one else there was as big and strong (and handsome, and intelligent) as he was, so he was the obvious choice for leader of the dogs in the pack. . .

[Judi W]

Between the bossyness and the lunging, he is far from finished as far as formal training is concerned. Knowing how to sit, down and heel only when he feels like it is barely beginning. Now he needs to learn the "obey" part of the training which means whether you want to or not. (remember, it is not called "if you want to"......)

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by DENNISH

Patti: by small mm prong, do you mean the Martingale? .

Not to speak for Patty but no - she means a prong collar only with the smaller prongs not the honkin big ones.

You will have to buy TWO (or nine extra links) to extend it to the right size. Be sure it isn't hanging down around his shoulders.

When you sign up for your next class ask the instructor to show you what a properly fitted prong collar looks like.