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Post by pollycrystal on Sept 13, 2011 17:37:36 GMT
Hi can anyone give me any advice please?Our dog, who we have had from a pup, is a Kelpie x welsh mountain dog, and is now 4 years old. The problem is, he is always chasing one of the ponies, he runs at him in the field and snaps at his back legs, he hasn't actually bitten him but he just won't stop doing it no matter how we shout at him. In fact, if we shout and he stops, as soon as we praise him he is off again.He only does it to one particular pony, who fortunately just ignores him. Although he did once get kicked, it hasn't seemed to put him off. I know it is in his breeding to herd, and I honestly think he is scared of the ponies, but it is only a matter of time before he really gets a nasty kick. People have suggested an electric shock collar but I am not very keen on the idea. Any doggy whisperers out there with suggestions?
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Post by leevale on Sept 13, 2011 17:39:27 GMT
Keep it on a lead.
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Post by honeybees on Sept 13, 2011 17:57:48 GMT
Please don't use a shock collar; even a spray collar is better.
Shock collars are not legal in the UK
You're right though Kelpie's, even crosses, have such a high herding drive this just his nature and the fact he is snapping and not biting shows he is trying to go back to his roots.
Did you properly introduce horses to him as a puppy?
Does he get enough exercise (sorry don't mean to be rude) but if you take on a kelpie, or kelpie cross, you should have expected to be exercising him at least twice a day.
Use a long line on him and walk him in the field...If he tries to run off at least you have hold of him.
Does he know the 'leave - it' command or something similar?
If he tries to go ask him to leave it and bring him back to you.
If he tries it again, make a sharp short shock aversion noise, or even pebbles in a bottle and shake it at him.
If you can also walk your pony and dog together in-hand together he may start to get more used to a horses movement.
Also try this in the school with a lead (not when your riding!) and if he tries to go use the shock aversion noise.
This will take a couple of sessions and patience.
NB. Lead higher up the neck gives you more control and remain relaxed/calm or the dog will pick up on this.
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Post by honeybees on Sept 13, 2011 17:58:39 GMT
If he is genuinely scared you need to go back to basics and introduce the dog to the horses.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2011 18:00:07 GMT
Kelpies and kelpie x are not scared of horses (that's my opinion I've seen a lot through my friend and never seen one scared) my friend breeds kelpies and every single one runs and snaps at her horses legs its instinct. Her horses are used to it the dogs never push the boundaries as inn bite the horses they are just doing what they were bred for. But yes as leevale said keep on a lead if your worried as not much will stop something with kelpie in it herding.  good luck I wouldn't use a electric collar he's only doing his job |
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Post by Shockthenaughtyboy on Sept 13, 2011 18:05:57 GMT
Get a shock collar.
Ours used to do the same thing, selective hearing. Give it a zap.
zzzzzz
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Post by pollycrystal on Sept 13, 2011 18:06:37 GMT
Our fields are just outside the house so it would be a bit difficult to put him on a lead every time the door to the garden is opened,he goes on the beach when my daughter takes the other pony out, and runs alongside him no problem, it's just the bay pony he doesn't like. He's been around the ponies all his life. However I will try the distraction thing,thanks
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Post by honeybees on Sept 13, 2011 18:09:41 GMT
shockthenaughtyboy thats the easy route; Don't shock him it is not fair.
As loulabella said it is in his instinct.
Kelpies are so trainable, it will take patience and a little time but they are so intelligent, he will catch on.
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Post by honeybees on Sept 13, 2011 18:13:54 GMT
Put his lead on before you go out and every time you go out try what I suggested above. Even if he is going out to toilet - the more training and time spent with the pony the better. It will take a couple of sessions but he will catch on Good luck and let us know how it goes. |
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Post by pollycrystal on Sept 13, 2011 18:37:43 GMT
Also, I should say that he gets loads of exercise, my daughter is a keen runner and takes him out with her every day and he is outside most of the time. You are right though about not having a Kelpie if you can't exercise them, the breeder checked where we lived and our lifestyle before we were allowed to take him.
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Post by JaysMum on Sept 17, 2011 19:41:17 GMT
Shock collars are not legal in the UK They are legal in the UK, however they are not legal in Wales. still not a good route to go down though. I'd get a behaviourist in for specialist training. |
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Post by honeybees on Sept 17, 2011 19:54:31 GMT
OK my mistake.
It is being debated though.
Still if anyone are adament on using one I would go for a spray collar/pet corrector
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Post by JaysMum on Sept 17, 2011 21:24:53 GMT
It is being debated though. Is it? Who by? |
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Post by brindlerainbow on Sept 17, 2011 21:30:17 GMT
For the safety of the pony and the dog keep them seperated. It only take 1 hard kick to the head to kill a dog..........
One of my ponies hates dogs with a vengeance so my dogs are NEVER allowed into the field with the ponies. The field gate stays shut, dogs on one side ponies on the other. I would never put my dogs in danger
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Post by honeybees on Sept 17, 2011 21:38:38 GMT
It is being debated though. Is it? Who by? I find you quite patronising... It is what I read on bbc news after googling my mistake... "Their use is still legal in England and Scotland but the issue is due to be debated by both the UK and Scottish parliaments. They are also legal in Northern Ireland." Quoted from www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14181927 |
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Post by wiccaweys on Sept 21, 2011 18:40:28 GMT
If you would like some breed specific advice on how to work with your dog to stop this, please feel free to give us a call. We will do our very best to help you and your dog.
Tel: 07905 203254
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good luck I wouldn't use a electric collar he's only doing his job 
