When do patterdales stop chasing hares?

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toffeeyummy

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My pat, he's generally a good, well behaved boy. He trots around the yard and field with me and will come straight back to me if he wanders a bit too far. Until that is....a blinking hare pops up. Vroooom. He's gone. And yes he can catch them, and yes he kills and eats them 😱😱. Any ideas??!!
 
Can you train a G.S.D not to have guarding characteristics, not really, in the same way, terriers will be terriers.
All dogs are individuals but generally they all have certain traits and characteristics, the secret is choosing a breed
which suits your needs/ lifestyle.
The above may sound obvious, but it explains why dogs are what they are.
 
toffeeyummy said:
My pat, he's generally a good, well behaved boy. He trots around the yard and field with me and will come straight back to me if he wanders a bit too far. Until that is....a blinking hare pops up. Vroooom. He's gone. And yes he can catch them, and yes he kills and eats them . Any ideas??!!
Click to expand...

Have you tried long line training? Ideally one should begin with long line training before it has become an established behaviour, but it may still work. I've been taught that you need a long line that is 15 meters or longer, harness and if the line isn't coated, you also need gloves, but e.g. I've found this link that recommends a 10 meter long line http://www.busypawz.co.uk/dog-walking?oo=0. I also found this page about long line training http://www.naturaldogblog.com/blog/...r-dog-when-theyre-off-leash-use-a-long-leash/. And this http://ocdogtraining.com/long-line-lunge-line-dog-training-video/.

Sorry, I'm in a little hurry, so I will end with saying that when I began with long line training there wasn't any coated long lines, but my new coated long lines are really good and easy to use, they look like this one that I found through Google images
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Agree with Wildoat, tis hard to argue with the genes, especially if he has already been doing it for some time, it will be hard to convince him that what he has been allowed to do and enjoy, he can no longer do.
The behaviour is ingrained, reinforced (by you being unable to stop it) and most importantly, instinctive, you'll need to work very hard to over-ride those three things.
 
they stop when they're dead

from a fellow Pat-Owner/Sufferer
my boys particular problem is squirrels, he only goes for something with teeth and claws. Likes a challenge
 
Thankfully mine seems to have given up his rabbit obsession (he is far bigger than a terrier) although for some reason still delights in chasing crows off our field, and if there's any around - geese! Worrying thing about geese is they take so blummin long to get any height, not a worry if its a canada goose, but not ideal if its a native one! Chasing the crows is pretty darn funny though :p
 
An electric collar, it is the only thing that will get through to my terrier, I haven't actually had to use it proper for years, the beep will stop him now. It has been the difference between him spending a life on the lead and being able to run free.
*Now puts on tin hat and tries to find hiding place.
 
Change the question: When do TERRIERS stop chasing hares/rabbits/mice/rats/pigeons on wires/owls/cats etc etc?

Answer: When they're dead! As other people have said! My terrier can't go off lead at all as he'll never come back :( such a pity :( thought about electric collar but can't bring myself to do that to him!
 
the same as whippets, when they are dead :D I'm lucky in that both of mine recall well, so if something jumps up in front of their noises they give chase and if they dont catch it they will come back. My bitch will generally recall off a chase. My young dog is very cocky and always goes as far as he can possibly go, then heads back.

We've been walking on the stubble this morning and they've been chasing pigeons and pheasants. The dog will actually jump up into the air after them which has me in hysterics everytime :D Yesterday the stubble hadnt been cut and they were putting up hares left, right and centre.

I just accept it as part of their nature :)
 
I agree it is part of their nature and as ours is a brilliant ratter I don't want to break his spirit, however having watched him with my heart in my mouth as he chases something across the road and there is nothing I can do to get through to him and having lost his kennel mate in a to the same thing when he was hit by a car chasing something I need something that I know can stop him, so I am happy with the choice I made but then I must have the most stubborn terrier ever!
 
Ha ha! That's patterdales for you! Ours is very wilful and doesn't give a ****** about pleasing us. All on his terms. What has helped is letting him get a smidge over weight. He now struggles to catch prey and is generally too wide to get down their holes.
 
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