Hawk diving
 

DD took the pack out at midmorning. She suddenly came running back in yelling at everyone to "Get in the house!!". She was carrying Mina,who was complaining. She said that a hawk circled low over our yard and then dove for Mina. My DD grabbed Mina up and the bird sailed on by,low overhead. Mina was growling and grumbling because she wanted to get the bad bird. Ive seen this hawk literally sit on my fence and wait to see if we will let the dogs out. When our big dog was still with us,the hawks would cirlcle waaaaay up in the sky ,but never dive down.

That is so scary. I have seen one dive low over my yard a couple of years ago. Please be careful.

Our pups are small enough that the hawks don't think anything about trying to grab one up. Thank heavens your DD was right there and could take action. That was lucky and I'm sure, way too close for comfort.

So glad your DD was quick acting!! Happy all are safe!

I deal with this (and owls) on a daily basis in my yard. I feel your pain. Stay vigilant!

That is so scary. I am glad your daughter acted quickly.

So Scary. Glad every one is safe.

Gives me goose bumps just hearing about it.
My Cali has never been the same since the hawk attack.
Don't take those birds lightly!

One of my neighbors has a 2lb little one and if she sees the hawk she will text me. I sent her a note today afterwards. We usually carry a 4ft length of PVC pipe,like a walking stick, with us in the yard because of the hawks. Come spring they will be very hungry and have young to feed.

That is really scary. I had never given thought to big birds grabbing the dog until we were in Florida and DH had Huey off leash on the beach. A woman walking told him that was a bad idea due to birds of prey. Huey was quickly put back on leash and we became very watchful.:eek:

Someone a few neighborhoods down from me let their teacup yorkie out and a hawk grabbed it. The little thing must have put up quite a fight because the hawk dropped it. I guess she was okay after a trip to the vet but OMG.
I have eagles in our back yard. They are huge..Jess never goes out alone..ever

Here are a few things you can try to deter hawks and owls. First is mirrors facing straight up. Reflects light and also the get a glimpse of themselves. Second thing is owl or hawk sound being played outside when you see them. They might go away. Think they are Imposing on another's territory. The third is air horn or bike horn. But you do have to desensitize your dog against the sound.

I am sorry they are hanging around, i have fields around me so they hang around here. But Please remember though these raptors are beneficial to our Eco system . They keep down rats, mice and snakes. Especially in the country areas.

Ugh...! Your daughter did good, though! :D

How scary. I'm glad your daughter acted so quickly. My SIL warned me about this when I got Chloe. I am extra cautious when we go outside.

I always go out with my yorkie for the exact same reason. I often see a hawk sitting high and staring at Mocha. My neighbor's chihuahua was grabbed by an owl but good thing it dropped him. Good for your daughter!

Oh my gosh this must have been so frightening! I can\'t imagine.

My guys aren't the only ones here on the Forum, who have killed a hawk. I'm fortunate that I have a very thick canopy over the back of the property. Since Ichabod (male puppy) arrived, I have been on heightened alert, but that is diminishing since Ickey is over five pounds now. I can see the same level of aggression toward "intruders", as My Male Sneakers had at Ickey's age, though it was My Female Becca who jumped and caught the Hawk first.

I often think of how many really little ones we have here on the Forum, and how much I would worry about their safety. Given the natural "warrior" instinct that I believe all Yorkies have, I'm really glad that my guys are bigger.

HAWK UPDATE !

Usually once or twice a day, I'll call the whole Pack out to the back yard, and we'll all sit around and just be together. I can tell, they really like things like that, "together" being the most important feature.

Anyway, as I was sitting there, and my guys were just laying out on the grass sunning themselves, I saw a (small) Hawk at a distance, and as it flew around in nice large circles, it eventually was overhead, at about 100 ft or so.

I was sitting in/under the Breezeway, leaning forward and watching it (full time) from that "hidden" position, just waiting to see if it would swoop. Ichabod was the most available target, as he lay out in the middle of the yard. I glanced quickly, seeing both Sneakers and Becca looking up, apparently at the Hawk, but, they didn't react any. Ichabod (a puppy) just lay there, and didn't notice anything.

Though I trust my guys to have defended themselves, I admit my apprehension increased, as I saw the Hawk turn and fly down closer. I was ready to jump up, and interfere with what I thought was going to be an attack on the Puppy. That didn't happen.

The Hawk flew/glided through the canopy slowly, apparently checking out the animals laying there, continued and flew away. I don't think it saw me, but made an evaluation of the risk of an attack, and decided against it. We stayed outside for another half hour, and it didn't return.

That was a very astute decision on the Hawk's part, since the last one that tried to attack my Pack, got thoroughly distributed around the yard in pieces.

I know that many here, would have quickly gathered their little ones up, and rushed them into the house. However, in my case, I don't have "little" ones, save for Ichabod (over 5 lbs now) and who is growing like a weed.

Given the flexibility I permit with them, in accessing the outside whenever they want, it's important to me, that I know they can defend themselves when I'm not around for that. This incident supported that confidence.

I admire your confidence in your guys. And, your ability to sit back and watch. You are so right, I would've jumped up and gotten right on top of Mandie if I had seen that. I am just that much of a scardy cat lol

As a matter of fact, I did just that yesterday as a HUGE owl came right across her head down from the trees. I don't think he was going at her because she was in the corner area of the fence..but he was ginormous and scared the crap out of me :)

Well, it's possible that I understated my apprehension about that. :rolleyes:

I was rather concerned, but, the Hawk was small, and it's something that I really need to know, and very much want my guys to be able to handle. I assure you, I was ready to intervene ! ;)

Given that I live in a large metropolitan area, there doesn't seem to be that many large areal predators about, and actually, seeing a Hawk only occurs every couple months. I've never seen anything large like the Owl you spoke of.

I sincerely think that what success my guys have, is because they regularly get exposed to situations were they have to encounter pray (from their point of view) are just used to being more alert and aggressive with encounters with other animals. I've been hunting them for several years now, and back then, they weren't as successful as they are today.

Thinking back on the incident, and how they just cooled it, I believe they were wanting that Hawk down on their level. My adult Female Becca goes for Birds a LOT more than She does the Squirrels or when our resident Possum (Sweetie) accidentally forgets what time of day it is.

I'm not suggesting that anyone be less careful, and I think being a "Scardy Cat" is probably a good idea. :thumbup: