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10-01-2012, 07:17 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: lyndhurst,nj usa
Posts: 96
| Why does my yorky go crazy for squirrels, birds,etc?? Hi All, I have Rudy a male 1 1/2 yr old yorky who has such a strong prey drive. Since I had him he wants to attack any other animal he sees besides dogs of course. I am talking birds and squirrels. It is annoying because I can not leave my front door open he will bark and bark like mad. Any suggestions to calm him down and or control this? Thanks Denise |
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10-01-2012, 07:52 AM | #2 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| It's basic instinct, like your desire to eat when hungry or sleep when very tired. Dogs had to catch small critters to exist until the last century or so and still would if it weren't for human intervention so the instinct is basically survival-based. It can be controlled with a stronger desire to some extent or training. Dogs are led by their sense of smell so if you had a very enticing container of boiled chicken or turkey hot dog chunks by the front door, you might be able to toss several pieces away from the door and get him distracted by the immediacy of food but better maybe better would be to train him to go to a certain spot several feet from the door when you approach it & stay there while it is open, unless you release him to come forward. Tibbe used to be a door-darter but now is trained to go to his "door spot" when the doorbell rings or I go to the door for the mail, etc. He's 97 - 98% reliable but not perfect. Does he have lots of chances to run and play, get good vigorous exercise and chase balls or have those toys with squeaky things in them to approximate the critter chase/attack? Tibbe has several squeaky squirrels, foxes, etc., that I hold as he chases me and then I throw them, he runs to catch/attack and play-kill, shake hard, etc., and then he leaves them lying all about so he can glory in his critter games wins. He will get up on the couch & survey his "kills" all over the den floor. If I pick them up, they are soon spread all out again so he can see his successes. Such a funny little character. Plus, he chases big birds & squirrels out in the back yard almost every single day so he gets to indulge & enjoy his prey-drive instincts doing that & comes in nice & tired, happy.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
10-01-2012, 08:35 AM | #3 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| When God made Yorkies, that was the job He assigned to them...ratters. Squirrels look enough like rats, so they will do in a pinch...actually, ANYTHING that is low to the ground and scurries quickly, triggers that instinct, including birds. Mine have a very strong "work ethic" and chasing birds and squirrels around the back yard provides them exercise and amusement, and I dont know if that prey instinct can be driven from them! |
10-01-2012, 09:12 AM | #4 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ
Posts: 1,812
| My yorkie have successfully killed mice but love chasing chipmunks, birds, rabbits, and squirrels.
__________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012 |
10-01-2012, 09:15 AM | #5 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 842
| One of our yorkies, Ginger, has caught, killed, and at least partially eaten several birds and small rabbits. It's instinct to them. She's fast and can also jump very well and very high. She's our largest at 10 lbs. She just has that drive to prey on the birds and small animals. I'm sure a lot of other dogs do too.
__________________ Maggie (RIP), Ginger (RIP), Lilly, Bella, Saleen, Bailey, Bridget |
10-01-2012, 09:22 AM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: lyndhurst,nj usa
Posts: 96
| Thanks for your feedback. I totally understand its normal and what yorkies were born to do but I was asking for ways to deal better with it. I shut the front door and tell him no. Yes he does go on walks runs in our yard etc. Denise |
10-01-2012, 09:54 AM | #7 |
YT 1000 Club Member | Given I haven't actually seen his actions, I wouldn't be so sure it was a hunting instinct, rather than protective/territorial. He's barking to alert YOU to allow access, not at the prey/intruder. IF it was hunting, most Yorkies totally shut up, and start the stalk, IF they have a viable route. I allow and investigate any and all alarms. Praise them highly each time they get it right. When they're wrong, I just don't say/do anything. They get the idea pretty quick. In either case, are you sure you want to teach him to suppress alarming when he sees something enter the Pack Territory ? I wouldn't.
__________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca. |
10-01-2012, 10:01 AM | #8 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: lyndhurst,nj usa
Posts: 96
| i understand he barks to alert but he doesnt shut up it is constant and annoying i also have 3 kids in my house so i do not need any more craziness lol! so are you saying to leave the front door open and let him bark his head off or shut the door to say ok enough rudy denise |
10-01-2012, 10:18 AM | #9 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| I would keep the door shut and train him not to approach it when it is open for going in and out or answering the door. The training for a small, house dog with strong prey drive not to bark at critters outside is a difficult task & requires some time and real patience, love and understanding on your part. Your Yorkie is a dog and they instinctively bark, like breathing or eating. You have to understand and learn to accept some barking so they can feel like the real dogs they are. You could train him to not approach the door when you are approaching it and stay there throughout the time the door is open for you to do your business or admit someone and/or teach him to bark on command and then teach him to stop barking on command for the times when he's going overboard.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
10-01-2012, 10:35 AM | #10 |
YT 1000 Club Member | Ummm ok, I'm getting a little better picture of this now... It appears that you just can't let him charge the intruder, that right ? He's attempting to go out into an unprotected/unconfined area, right ? IF I'm reading this right, then you should create a signal/instruction to "back him off". I use a physical touch on their noses (not verbal), to suppress their vocalizations, when it's appropriate. IF it's actually a real stranger, or something that is in territorial violation, I just don't suppress them, they usually quieten down after I arrive. When in the training process for their ability to distinguish the level of threat, when they don't respond to the suppress command, they were led into an area, where a door could be closed between them and the cause, and left there for a while. They REALLY don't like that ! You can release them after the cause has gone. The key is practice here, I think when they know you're going to respond to the alarm, you'll be better able to get this under control. It's going to take time for them to "trust" you, and realize that the "Leader" has arrived and they can stand down and look to you for instructions.
__________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca. |
10-01-2012, 10:58 AM | #11 |
YT 1000 Club Member | Denise, HA, I just read yorkietalkjilly's reply, and she is NOT wrong. There are SO many ways to handle our little hero's to get a comfortable environment established. I admit, I don't handle my animals like many others here, and in the many explanations/recommendations I've made on issues like this, I have NEVER been chastised/frosted for my opinion. I am SO glad I found this forum, and encountered the absolutely wonderful people on it. So, you read, think about what's said, and decide what's best for you.
__________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca. |
10-01-2012, 01:40 PM | #12 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: lyndhurst,nj usa
Posts: 96
| i forgot to mention he has this type of behavior even if my kids are in the front of the house or in the back of the house and he is in looking out at the door he barks like crazy constant that i have to shut the door it is nerves i believe any type of motion he does this |
10-01-2012, 01:55 PM | #13 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| He's likely just dying to get out there and play with them so helping him redirect all his energy and wonderful doggie enthusiasm and love of fun should help. Does he get outside for a lot of exercise himself? A good walk each day and lots of running, playing and fun times keeping him on the go should help a lot, work off his natural energy. Once his own needs are taken care of, he'll be easier to train. You'll just have to disagree with excessive barking and teach him another behavior to replace the barking that is excessive. Also, thinking about what would help your dog out during times when he's really wanting to participate in an activity he can't be part of and maybe giving him a treat-filled kong toy to keep his attention during the kids playing out front can help him get through it with some fun of his own. Or fill a plastic soda bottle with the lid off with his kibble diner inside & let him have to bat around and knock the kibble out to eat. Exercise, distraction & training/redirection will probably help him best right now.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
10-01-2012, 02:52 PM | #14 |
Between♥Suspensions Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vaissades
Posts: 7,979
| Chase prey instinct crossing with guarding his pack.
__________________ Shan & 8 kids now! |
10-01-2012, 03:00 PM | #15 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
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