Rabbit obsession!

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ichliebepferd

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Hey guys, wondering if you've had any problems with dogs obsessed by wee bunnies?
Recently rescued a 3yo male English Setter, had him castrated as I'm not interested in breeding him, he's a family pet.

History: Was a failed hunting dog in France, owner gave him and his three brothers up as he couldn't cope and expected them all to get good homes as pure bred, handsome dogs. Unfortunately, no one did and an English charity (Pheonix ass.) picked Rufus up, and someone in Germany on my camp had him fostered.

We've had him 5 weeks, and he's settled straight in with our other two... but his rabbit obsession is driving me nuts! I can barely hold him back if he see's one, I'm 5'7 and 55kg, so there should be enough of me to hold him back but he's so strong. I have attempted, walking in different directions to get him to concentrate on me, to teach him leave it, and walk on, and to just walk on... nothing seems to work. I understand its been put in to his programming to chase rabbits.. but any hints and tips to get him to either calm down or stop??

Thanks in advance!

pferd&Rufus
 
What collar and lead combo are you using?
Focusing on you needs to be incentivised, he won't just do it because you are asking him to and bear in mind you've only had him a short time.
You need to start from the very beginning of focus training, and find out what works for him.
Train him when he is hungry and walk him when he is hungry.
Although, by the sounds of it, he might be more tuned in to a toy, ball, flirt pole etc.
Is he in the house with you? If so, you can spend pretty much all of your free time teaching him look at me = food or play with a toy of choice.
You might want to factor in clicker training as it is a great way for dogs to learn.
Then take it out into the garden, then gradually add the distractions.
It is time consuming but it is a great way to get a dog to walk nicely on a loose line.
 
He's on a simple leather lead and collar! I tried using a rope slip lead, and he just didn't get it, and was quiet frantic. I did the whole stand when they pull, give him an indication that normally works for by me, and he just didn't get it at all.. was a complete disaster!

He is a generally good allrounder, he needs more weight on, and he is so so trusting and loveable, so I don't think it will take long to build up the bond, but I want to nip this in the bud before winter sets in with ice and he does pull someone over!

I bought a kong like toy earlier today actually, so I hope I can use this for his work so he obsesses over that, and thats our toy for walks.

He is inside with us, we're softies ;) Thanks again for your help, and will start plan of action as of tomorrow!
 
You can get a little mini Kong on a rope (Thanks Blackcob :D) for walks which might be easier to carry and to get his attention, my fella loves his :) if I spot something which is likely to lead to fixation I will get him to do a bit of heelwork for food or instigate a game or let him carry one of his toys or balls and is having such fun he never notices the bunny or the sheep or the other dog or the bike, it's just redirecting his focus. Toys on ropes are great because you can keep them 'active' and the dog is still using his hunt/prey drive.

I would invest in some power steering, like a head collar (Gencon, Halti etc) or a large/long link choke chain if you don't mind those/know how to use them, same action as a slip lead though to give you the strength advantage.
 
It is a kong toy! Its like a double handled one, and though I don't want to promote the ol' wrestling with my dog, either he or I can carry it, he seems more stick orientated the ball, or treat. He loves his food, however its out the window. I will try and get some pictures of our little moments ;)

I'll have a look into it, and see if friends have one I can try out. I think the choke collar or leads are fab providing people know how to use it, its worked so well with our other Setter... but like I said, he wasn't happy in his.. any ideas of how to 'break' him in gently with it? I don't want him to panic when its on, but I don't want him taking the micky and me in a muddy puddle!
 
I would just have it on him all the time (when you can keep an eye on him) in the house so that it isn't associated with tension and stress, same with a headcollar, don't just slap it on before a walk and assume the dog will not freak :p .
On the walk, make sure it is sitting pretty high up around the neck, not down around the shoulders, and on the right way around (up and over from the left, not down and under from the right, if that makes any sense :o) and it ain't a tug of war and a throttling session, it's teaching the dog the difference between a slack line and a correction. I have my chokes on the dead link most of the time, only on the live link if we are going into a situation where I need more control.
You could also consider a half check which only closes a certain amount.

I always carry two of something so there is no conflict, so, if I need him to let go of the Kong, he can have a ball as a swap etc. I also hang on to the rope sometimes if the ball is in his mouth so he can have a little ragging session :p
If he likes sticks, there is a company called Safestix which makes safe, rubber, chuckable sticks which might float his boat :D

My older dog made a bit of a mess of my back/shoulder, which is still being sorted out thanks to my lovely masseuse friend :o so I try not to get into any sort of pulling competition any more :o
 
We do that with Tessi, she wears her rope choke collar all the time. Helpful if she makes a dash for the door and you grab the right end haha!
Yeah, I love watching people walk dogs in choke collars and they're the wrong way round... no wonder its not working ;)

He plays beautifully with other dogs, and the foster lady said if I let him off, he may dart after rabbits, but he'll come back and she had him for 7 weeks.. so not too much longer than what I've had him, but I still don't trust myself, I'd rather ground work, get the trust, and the 'my googly eyes are all on you mummy' so he looks for me. We lost a dog 18months ago who snapped her lead and chased a bird, subsequently hit by a car, so I panic when I think about letting him off! He heels beautifully, but through wooded area, I like him to have a longer lead to sniff and chase butterflies (yes... my manly dog :P) but the pulling and tugging and yipping is unbelievable, I've never seen anything like it! And out here in Germany the forestmeister... kind of like a shepherd I suppose? is within rights to shoot dogs that may disturb wildlife ie deers between May-September so want to crack this quick so we can have control off the lead and enjoy W words :D
 
Don't worry, I am sure you will get it sorted soon :D
Equipment and attitude is half the battle won. I have a long rubber-covered line for my young man with the hand loop cut off (it's actually a tracking line) which can trail along so I can stand on it or pick it up if he looks like he is going to peg it after something.
Would love to see pics of the dude :) he sounds fab.
 
Just set up photobucket and trying to upload so I can post links!

The other two setters are my dad's dogs so to speak, but Sorrel doesn't have much time left.. and right time, right place Rufus came along, so he's my financial/training/grooming/when bad dog responsibility. Especially when he hucked up a miniature fake squirrel my mum had for her autumn display, those wee ones you get with fur on. I found the fur. I squealed with shock.. and then had to give my mum a red faced apology haha!

Will keep you updated on progress!
 
I know horsey German hahaha I can talk to you about horses in german all day long, I can teach in german, give a riding test in german... anything else and you're out of luck I'm afraid!!! I've lived out here most of my life, but very close to the Dutch border, and they all speak English so I'm safe haha!
 
Thank you guys :D I love him to pieces, and he knows it ;)

Will hopefully upload more pictures. Taking him to our local shop today as I need to get him weighed, and find something thats going to help put meat on his bones, but minus the energy!
 
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