Advice Needed - Swan Fixation

[kilmousk]

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Last year I rehomed what I assume to be a whippet x staffie bitch (though more than likely not pure cross). She has been hard work and I thought I was getting somewhere but just before Christmas she bolted in the local park. When she came back she has a strange mark on the side of her face. I later found out she had doubled back to the loch, crossed the ice and dragged a swan from the water which she killed (or was presumed dead.) Though I would prefer to think she wasn’t responsible I think she probably was. She has an issue with swans and though I believe it is based on fear the outcome is that she is highly aggressive towards then.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to deal with this fixation? She has been lead walked since the incident and reacts as soon as she sees swans.

I am also looking to buy a basket muzzle for her and was wondering if someone could advise where is best to buy one and if anyone could suggest the best type/brand?

Butter wouldnt melt!

Thank You

 

[FeeFee]

She does look very sweet and innocent :wub:

I'm sorry to hear about the swan incident, though, that must have been a very nasty shock. If she did manage to catch and kill one, that was probably a very 'rewarding' experience for her so it's going to be extremely difficult to stop her having another go given the chance.

Definitely worth muzzling her, it won't do her any harm and if you introduce it as a normal part of going out for a walk she'll soon learn to accept it without any fuss. Looking at the picture I'd say go for a Baskerville-type basket muzzle as they won't stop her panting and drinking. Some shops will let you try on to get the right size before you buy (I think Pets at Home will do this if there's one near you).

As for 'de-training' prey drive, that's going to be a much longer haul, and to be honest some dogs will never reliably get there. For the time being it's probably going to be a matter of working on recall on a long line and only letting her off in enclosed areas or if you are absolutely sure there is nothing around she can chase.

Good luck - she is lovely :luck:

 

[kilmousk]

Thank you for the reply. And I guess I already knew the answer. Her prey drive has been a problem since day 1 and either was the reason she was abandoned or possibly a learnt experience as a stray. She is much better but I have known for a while that it would be safer to muzzle her. I wouldn’t want her wearing a canvas muzzle as I worry too much about the breathing, it was just a big step going for a Baskerville type as its so distinctive and easy to spot. I was thinking wire as that wouldn’t be as obvious as I don’t really want the prejudice and presumption that she is vicious label.

We have just got back from a walk in a different park and she was free running there … took her less than a minute to appear with a dead rabbit! I think it was dead when she found it. Thank goodness she left it somewhere in the woods … better than running home with it!

As for being prepared for the long haul that’s fine by me … she’s here for life and we will get there in the end. Sometimes it’s hard to see how much we have moved forward when there’s a step back.

 

[FeeFee]

I know what you mean, I hate having to muzzle dogs because of the prejudice you get from people who assume they are aggressive

At the end of the day, though, you have to go with doing the responsible thing. I *think* I'm right in saying killing a swan is actually an offence, so you really can't take the risk of her doing it again.

Whereabouts in the country are you? There is a good lurcher behaviourist called Jim Greenwood based in the Midlands, though he does travel to other areas. Working with high prey drive dogs is one of the things he specialises in and his prices are very reasonable. Let me know if you are interested in his details.

 

[kris]

killing a swan is a criminal offence under the wildlife act 1981.ive just been looking and theres a few cases of people killing swans and theyve all been jailed.so i think a muzzle is a must! :sweating: good luck with your dog,hope she gets to ignore them,youll get there it just takes time like anything when youre trying to train a dog. :luck:

 

[bobby362]

Last year I rehomed what I assume to be a whippet x staffie bitch (though more than likely not pure cross). She has been hard work and I thought I was getting somewhere but just before Christmas she bolted in the local park. When she came back she has a strange mark on the side of her face. I later found out she had doubled back to the loch, crossed the ice and dragged a swan from the water which she killed (or was presumed dead.) Though I would prefer to think she wasn’t responsible I think she probably was. She has an issue with swans and though I believe it is based on fear the outcome is that she is highly aggressive towards then. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to deal with this fixation? She has been lead walked since the incident and reacts as soon as she sees swans.

I am also looking to buy a basket muzzle for her and was wondering if someone could advise where is best to buy one and if anyone could suggest the best type/brand?

Butter wouldnt melt!

Thank You

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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Hi there, you could try taking her and showing her the animals, Keep her on the lead mind. I do this with my dogs, i take them up to the farm and show them all the other animals. Let the know that there not to attack them. the first time i did this was with my staff, He used to chace the horses so i took him up to the farm a few times and showed him it was wrong to chace other animals. i can now walk him on or off the lead knowing that he wont chace anything. Give it a go, it does work. :thumbsup:

 

[kilmousk]

Thank you for the replies. I just needed the confidence again to go back to basics and start over again and to bite the bullet and muzzle her. We went back to the park today and walked (leashed) past the swans and she didnt react so even though she probably wouldnt double back i'm not taking the risk. Off lead she would react ...so its long leads, yummy treats and and a new start. She is now responsive to me, and less fearful of other dogs so training classes as well i think as well as lots of controlled contact with lots of different animals.

Thank you for the behaviourist suggestion as well. We are in Scotland so the Midlands are safe for now. If things arent improving i will look into finding one closer.