I have a 1 1/2 year old lab and when we walk through the forest off leash he loves to chase rabbits (there are a million in my area, very overpopulated). The other night he caught a rabbit and wanted to kill it (I believe he wanted to eat it literally) I stopped him. But is that the right thing to do? Isn't he doing what comes naturally for him? Should i next time let him kill and eat the rabbit? Will this be a positive re-enforcement or cause problems down the road. He does not do this with small dogs or anything like that just so we understand that he is not aggressive towards other dogs.
My Lab
- Thread starter luca
- Start date
Hi Luca. This is not something you want to encourage in your pet. While it's natural for your dog to want to chase rabbits, unless you have a rock solid recall there may come a time when your dog chases something he's not supposed to and you'll find his predatory drive so strong by then that you may have difficulty calling him off the prey. Prey can be anything from the rabbit in the woods, your neighbors cat or a toy breed at the dog park he mistakes for a rabbit. (I have a client who lost her 6 mo. old Papillion to a very high drive 1 yr old Lab, at a dog park this way. The Lab did not identify her Pap as a dog until it was too late.) Best to let him know his food comes from you and always in a bowl!
Chasing is very much natural instinct. I don't see a problem in chasing PROVIDING you have the ability to call your dog off an instant. If you can't call your dog off from a chase, don't let him. Far too much potential for risk.
He should not be killing rabbits. Granted, mistakes will happen, but killing of other animals should never be encouraged - ever.
He should not be killing rabbits. Granted, mistakes will happen, but killing of other animals should never be encouraged - ever.