Last resort

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I have resorted to the last option for stopping the dogs' bad habit of chasing deer: a shock collar. I bought a sportsdog 1850 collar that comes with a beeper attachment. I've never wanted to use shock collars and I only agreed to try this out because nothing else works and Temple Grandin says it's ok. I am scared my dogs will get hurt or lost when chasing deer and other critters (including bears and cougars) on our mountain. Their prey drives have gotten so strong that they just can't help themselves following a fresh track or chasing animals we come across on our morning hikes. Sometimes, they succeed and catch a rabbit or a bird or a squirrel, so they probably consider themselves master hunters by now. At this point I am breaking them into the collar one at a time. If anyone has experience breaking prey tracking/chasing using a shock collar, please tell me how you did it and what worked/what didn't work. Thanks so much.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good for you. I don't think it's cruel but protective. better to get a shock than to get mauled by a bear or cougar, which is a much harder lesson. Good luck!

[Adina P]

Check out http://www.loucastle.com -- he has some very good articles on prey drive and electronic collars.

[Charles Rocheville]

I think you are on the right track with the shock collar. I used one for my Lab, because he was relentless when in the hunting mode. He would of launched himself off a cliff if it meant not getting the bird. Someone asked me once, how can you be so cruel to use that collar. I told her very abruptly, it can save his life.!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

In our area we have a lot of deer, rabbits, ducks, and geese. I know that a lot of people are against them but we have an eletric fence and it has worked great. Our nextdoor neighbors have a deer feeder so there are always deer tempting Hunter. The electric fence has worked wonders, truly I think she only got shocked twice and I had it on low, the first time I was devistated, the second time my husband was with her so I didn't have to see it. Now if she hears the beep that is all it takes. I hope it works out for you.