Pots and Dogs?
Pots and Dogs?However, we had a traumatic incident occur about a month ago between Annabelle and Buster, my parents 3 year old German Shepherd and I need to find a solution. Buster and Annabelle only just met at the end of June. Buster smelt Annabelle, and she snapped him a couple of times and then things seemed to be fine, even when we brough Annabelle into Buster's house. Buster is, with people, the sweetest, and loving dog in the world, but he likes to play.
So, on this particular evening, Buster was running loose in the yard, and Annabelle, on a leash and harness, was heading into the long grass with me to do her business. Buster thought she wanted to play, by going into the long grass and proceeded to tear after Annabelle, jerking the leash out of my hand. Buster then continued chasing Annabelle, because he wasn't listening to us yelling at him to stop. Things got more and more carried away and he actually started grabbing her on the the back of her neck with his jaws.(Annabelle was very lucky and only suffered two minor skin skatches) We finally tackled the dog and Annabelle went running into a back field where I caught up to her. I apologised to her and fed her treats and she came out of hiding and came right up to me, acting as if all was now forgiven that the dog was gone. (I was more traumatized, it seemed!) She has never seemed to have any negative reactions to this incident, but now I am terrified that something like that could happen again. Is there any possibility of reintroducing Buster and Annabelle in a controlled environment? You see, we visit my parents often, and I will have to find a solution because Annabelle will have to come with us.
She has encountered other dogs with no bad assaults like that particular one. I was so afraid that something was going to happen to her that I've been very wary of new dogs now with her. What should I do? I would appreciate any advice you could give us. Everyone says I am overreating, but I don't want to put her in any danger.
Thanks,
Jessica
I don't think you are over reacting. Some dogs, not all, have a great sense of the "hunt". They see it as their natural job. In this situation with Buster, it would be my suggestion that you NEVER leave Annabelle alone with him. Because he has done it once, Buster may think it is his "job" to hunt down and attack the Pig. Since you don't live with Buster, you don't have the opportunity to retrain him to the fact that the pig is off limits. In my opinion, Buster can not be trusted to again become aggressive with Annabelle. It would be my suggestion that Buster and Annabelle be kept in separate spaces while Annabelle visits. If it is absolutely necessary that they be in the same space, I would never, ever leave them alone together. You will have to be prepared to ward off the attack from Buster, if he should do it again. As you have learned Pots have no defense against dog attack. They do not fight back. Because running is their only defense, it can encourage the dog to pursue. I believe that may be what happened in this situation. Then, as you found out, the "hunt" is on.
Potbellies normally adjust quite well to joining a home with other pets. Being
herd animals they tend to adopt the other
animals in the household as part of their herd.
Cats are rarely affected by the introduction of a
pet pig. But dogs can be a different matter.
Some dogs, not all, have a great sense of the
"hunt". They see it as their natural job. It is best
to NEVER leave a pet pig alone with the
family dog until there is no question that the dog and the pig are friends. It
should be remembered that pigs and dogs speak different languages and use
different methods to express what they are thinking. The piglet may
misinterpret the good intentions of the dog and the dog may frighten the piglet
by just trying to play with it.
Sometimes the pet dog decides that it is his "job" to hunt down and attack the
pig. The new pig owner needs to be prepared to ward off the dog’s attack,
should one occur. Potbellied pigs have no defense against dog attack. Because it
is a prey animal, the pet pig does not fight back. Running is the pig’s only
defense in this situation. A running pig can cause the dog to flip into his
perceived role as a hunter. The dog will chase the pig. Should this occur, it is
imperative to stop the dog immediately and to train
the pet dog not to chase the pig. Not all dogs respond
in this manner. Certainly a non-aggressive pet dog
can be trained to not chase or hurt the piglet.
Occasionally the hunting instinct in the dog is just
too great and the pig and the dog are forced to lead
separate lives. This all depends on the nature of the dog and the training by the pet owner. On the other hand incidents of the pig
harming the dog is very rare. It is suggested that the safest combination is when
the dog’s nature is not predatory or aggressive.
In all situations the unfamiliar dog is the one to be concerned about. The pet pig should be provided a secure fenced area that will protect it from the dangers of a stray dog. When you are out in public or at someone else's home, where you are not sure how the dog will act, it is wise to have a good pig harness and lead on the pig. At the first sign of aggressive behavior or too rough "playing" by the dog, the pet pig needs to be removed from the dog's presence. The harness and lead will help the pet owner do this. An aggressive situation can turn badly very quickly, so it is better to be overly cautious than to ignore the possibility of a hurt or killed potbelly.
Copyright © 2000 by Kathleen Myers
 Kathleen |
Ponderosa | Breeder | Pet Pigs | References | Ask | Informational | Ponderosa |
Pots | Show & | Show |