April 19, 2011
We have a GSD 2-1/2 yrs. We would like to stop her from trying to catch insects. Do you think persistence with "leave it" will be successful?
Full Question:
Hello Cindy.We have a GSD 2-1/2 yrs. She is trained in obedience and agility, is well socialized and is generally a very good, calm dog. She has always enjoyed catching insects and I guess that's normal. Earlier this summer, she caught a wasp which stung the roof of her mouth. We gave her an allergy pill and she was okay. But we would like to stop this behavior.
When we want her to ignore something (like a barking dog in a yard as we walk, or a food scrap on the ground) we use "leave it." And she does leave it, except when it comes to flying insects. Do you think persistence with the command will eventually be successful or can you suggest something else?
Thank you,
Patricia
Cindy's Answer:
I have 2 bug obsessed dog, so I know this is hard to deal with. You can continue using your "leave it" command but if your dog is choosing to ignore you, then all you are doing is taking the value out of the words.
I might use another word, like YUCK and give a correction if you need to. I would suggest using a remote collar for this, so you can interrupt the behavior as soon as the dog even notices a flying insect. This can interfere with your competitions if it's allowed to go on, because the fast movement of the bugs seems to really stimulate a dog's prey drive. My 4 year old Malinois will chase bugs all over the house, like a bull in a China shop. I didn't curb this behavior when she was younger and first showed the tendency to become fixated on bugs. I have learned from this and my 1 year old dog (who shows the same fixation) is being managed much differently.
I never allow him to chase bugs at all, or even watch them intently.
Cindy
I might use another word, like YUCK and give a correction if you need to. I would suggest using a remote collar for this, so you can interrupt the behavior as soon as the dog even notices a flying insect. This can interfere with your competitions if it's allowed to go on, because the fast movement of the bugs seems to really stimulate a dog's prey drive. My 4 year old Malinois will chase bugs all over the house, like a bull in a China shop. I didn't curb this behavior when she was younger and first showed the tendency to become fixated on bugs. I have learned from this and my 1 year old dog (who shows the same fixation) is being managed much differently.
I never allow him to chase bugs at all, or even watch them intently.
Cindy
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