Quote: Mara Jessup

And each dog builds on the other. Each dog helps us become a better trainer. Because of what you learned with Pinker, you can help Laddy become a team player and working partner. When I look at it that way, I feel like I'm honoring the partnership I had with each of my dogs when I work with a new one.

Well put, Mara. That helps eliminate the feeling of guilt we have with all our past dogs and not training and working with them to the level we did with Bailey, our latest dog. I have this constant feeling of wishing for a "do-over" with each of our past dogs, thinking how much greater they might have been.

So...I'm guessing then that it won't hurt my dog if he eats a rabbit or squirl right?

Someone mentioned watching out for tapeworms with rabbits ... http://www.raising-rabbits.com/tapeworm-life-cycle.html

(I know squirrels can have TWs too, but for some reason I have the impression that TWs are particularly common in rabbits. I didn't look that up, though ..... Dr. Betty might have a good answer.)

Note that the more usual route for TW infection in dogs is eating a flea that ate a TW egg.

It's a different kind of TW that dogs get when they eat a rabbit that has TWs.




Tapeworms are pretty effectively dealt with, I believe, so the important thing is probably to be aware and observant.

JMO.

"I think I understand that sense of loyalty and jealousy. It happens when we become a team and people dont see our team member the same way we do. Or we feel like we're betraying the dog (partner) we have"


EXACTLY!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Someone mentioned watching out for tapeworms with rabbits ... http://www.raising-rabbits.com/tapeworm-life-cycle.html

(I know squirrels can have TWs too, but for some reason I have the impression that TWs are particularly common in rabbits. I didn't look that up, though ..... Dr. Betty might have a good answer.)

Note that the more usual route for TW infection in dogs is eating a flea that ate a TW egg.

It's a different kind of TW that dogs get when they eat a rabbit that has TWs.




Tapeworms are pretty effectively dealt with, I believe, so the important thing is probably to be aware and observant.

JMO.

You just have to look out for those "little grains of rice" stuck to the dog's butt.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

I havent done too much with this dog, he seems so stupid and doggy compared with Pinker and he is basically so easy, happy to live in the garage etc. He's pretty boring.

That was my first impression of Tanner when he came to live with me. Kind of stupid and boring. I was happy to give him a home but he was not what I'd choose.

I was used to working with one of my parents dogs who is Mr.Personality. I trained Cabo to a CGC and we liked working together a lot. He still begs to go do something when I visit.

Marker training really brought out the fun and smart side of Tanner's personality.

So...I'm guessing then that it won't hurt my dog if he eats a rabbit or squirl right?

Robert;

The blunt answer to your question is that some people do and some don't. You must weigh the risks (worms, disease, possible resource guarding, etc) against the benefits (?) and decide what is best for you.

If you're asking for opinions, I think there are more productive uses for prey drive than killing/feeding, but that's just MY honest and humble opinion.

Duane, I am NOT in disagreement on better uses for prey drive..my original inquiry was in concern that "if" my dog is tearing a rabbits ass up when I have been in the house for a minute should I take it from him first of all, and is there any concerns I need to be aware of with disease etc. Somehow I asked a pretty straight forward, honest and very realistic question but have obviously been misunderstood.. Happens a lot it seems...that's why I hate text..give me the good old fashioned phone !!!

It's a simple question, but it doesn't have a simple answer. I don't think anyone misunderstood the question at all. You've just gotten a lot of different opinions to consider.

Disease (tapeworm) is possible. But that's not the biggest issue to consider. Most of the responses have been about the behavioral pros and cons of letting your dog hunt for fun or food.

Like many things with raising dogs, there's seldom a single "right answer." You learn as much as you can from others' experience, then you do what you think is best for your dog and your situation.

For me, I don't want my dogs eating wildlife. But it's happened. Fanny, my Corgi ate most of a squirrel she caught before I knew it. Last week, Chip thought he might have opossum for breakfast. In both cases, a good loud "drop it" from me got them to leave the thing alone and return to me.

Yes, they are dogs and that's what dogs do. I wasn't that surprised or care much. But I don't really want my dogs eating things that might make them sick, because I pay the vet bills. And I don't want them to think that meals come from anywhere else but me. Being the source of the chow gives me status around here.

 Quote: Robert overbeek

Duane, I am NOT in disagreement on better uses for prey drive..my original inquiry was in concern that "if" my dog is tearing a rabbits ass up when I have been in the house for a minute should I take it from him first of all, and is there any concerns I need to be aware of with disease etc. Somehow I asked a pretty straight forward, honest and very realistic question but have obviously been misunderstood.. Happens a lot it seems...that's why I hate text..give me the good old fashioned phone !!!

"The blunt answer to your question is that some people do and some don't. You must weigh the risks (worms, disease, possible resource guarding, etc) against the benefits (?) and decide what is best for you."


Is this not a direct answer to your question? The only thing I didn't do was make the decision for you. There are risks. It's up to YOU to decide if it's worth risking. If you're expecting to ask on a blog and get a unanimous response, good luck.