Introducing rescue dog to ponies.

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Can I please have some advice as to how to ensure my new rescue dog integrates successfully with my 2 mini's.

I have had him 3 days and in all respects he is lovely inside and outside the home.

I am assuming he has never seen ponies and wants to chase them , presumably he thinks they are intruders.

He is 16mths old and I'd like to make sure all my animals integrate. I have 2 other dogs who live happily amongst the ponies .

Suggestions as to how it worked for you please . I have started by walking him up to them to touch noses but he lunges because he doesn't know what they are .

Many thanks
 
What breed is he, what collar and lead combo are you using and are you doing anything to a) correct him when he looks like he is thinking about lunging - when he's got to that stage it's too late b) reward him for being neutral around them? You need to start small and build up the distance.

Having said that, most dogs are lovely around the home and maybe it's a wee bit soon to introduce such big distractions...I'd maybe start smaller by getting him to ignore things in a lower drive and making sure all his food comes from my hand - you've only had him three days. This is a process which can take weeks but no solid behaviour comes quickly :)

As with many thinks it's hard to advise without seeing him but those are some things to think about anyway :)
 
First of all take him for a walk round the edge of the field with his lead on. Make sure he is listening to you treat him whilst he is listening to you and ignoring his surroundings. This will take you a little while to do. One thing I have learnt is don't rush things. When you are happy and confident doing that, take him closer again with his lead on again treating when he is listening to you. Carry on doing this until you are up to them and he is confident around them on the lead. You do not want the chase factor to happen scaring either the ponies or your dog. He needs to listen and you need full control around animals even your own x
 
I find a long line (as in lunge line sort of length) the most useful tool when introducing dogs to horses, you can haul them away if they get over enthusiastic. It even worked well with a totally bonkers Brittany spaniel I had here, but that said, bear in mind yours is really still a puppy and will want to play. So take his favourite toy along too, as a distraction for when he gets too hyper - the risk is the ponies will run but if he isn't bouncing around too much they should stay put.
 
Instead of introducing him directly to the ponies, maybe take him out on lead around the edge of the field etc. (as mentioned above), around stables, around yard, etc. so he can get used to the odd sounds and smells.

Perhaps then move on to attaching his lead to your belt, and letting him accompany you around the place while you're going about mucking out, washing out buckets, etc. Gradually desensitize him, teaching him to ignore the horses, that they aren't a big deal, that he doesn't have to be scared of them, etc. All while the other dogs roam free, so he can learn from their example.

Good luck!
 
just take it slow and make sure there is never a time that the dog could feel cornered and scared.
I have a collie x rescue we got 3 months ago.
she first wanted to try and sniff a horses back legs like a dog!
i would have her on the yard next to the stables and paddock so she could just see them from a distance.
she is naturally nervous of them- but I prefer that, as lets face it, horses could cause some damage.
leave and out are important commands!
my old dog used to be in the field with my horses happily, but if they started to get a bit lively, I would say out and he would go under the fence into the empty field.
 
Thanks everyone , I've been trying some of those ideas and he is still very interested in them but the treats have kept his focus on me. He no longer lunges at them and I've had him on the yard whilst grooming the ponies.

I still wouldn't let him off the lead for a long while as I'm sure he'd chase but we are definately in a better position than before .

Many thanks x
 
We got Aled when he was 10, and he was terrible with the horses. He was quite aggressive if they looked at him, and I do think he would have attacked them out of fear. I took him with me at every opportunity, was much easier if son or OH were with me, as they could play with him away from the horses. If I was on my own with him, he was tied up on the lunge line so could mooch about safely out of reach of the horses whilst I did my jobs, then I would play with him and exercise him after. Aleds life revolves around his ball! Later on, after playtime, I would walk him around on his lead near the horses, and slowly we would get nearer to them. The horses just ignored him, although Ollie would come and have a look and try and say hello. We've had him 9 months now and are here.





He's with me today, but has gone back into the car as the guns are going off in the distance and he doesn't like them.

I found time and patience was the key with him. He's obviously not a puppy, so don't know if it would be the same for you.
 
Ah that's lovely T.

Well it's really hot here and I've sat with him next to the minis who are munching their haylage , he hadn't moved a muscle towards them which is great so little and often .
 
That sounds very promising. I think with Aled, it was just a case of over time he realised they're actually quite boring really. It wasn't the be all if he didn't get used to them, but has made for a happier time for him as he can run about with his ball, and come up there with me. We also wanted him comfortable so that we can take him on walks and him not upset other people on their horses. I have great hacking, so OH or son can come out on foot with him now.
 
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