What Should I Do?

[Marty]

Marty, I know how much you love your Tracey BUT in her younger days would you honestly have left her out with the mares and foals , on her own, unattended, and expected to come back and find everything OK??

Right on Fizzy.......that's why I always say "left to her own devices .........etc. All heck would have broken loose ! She would have been on those minis like flies on a cow chip.......

From the first days that Tracey joined my family as a baby,, she was under the impression that she was going to take over the whole place, and ME!. Any dog can and run you~ that's why I stress a lot of quality time and training always. That makes for a happy dog and a very happy owner.

 

[billiethekid40]

They have never shown any agression towards the horses. If they see the horses running, they want to go run too. Never have they touched them. They don't keep barking at the horses until they start running, they just go in there and "talk" at them. All I have to say is "leave it" and they quit. If the horses ignore them, they quit. I watch from inside the house as soon as I hear the barking. They aren't left unsupervised, and when I am out there, they are usually right by me.

Before people go jumping all over her saying her dogs need to be retrained to listen, read her above post! She said her dogs will quit if told. The problem is she wants them to not chase the horses when she is NOT right there to tell them to quit.

My question is, do the dogs live in the house with you? Or are they left loose to wander at will where ever they want to go? If they live in the house, then your easiest way to solve this problem is just to always go out with them. If they are always either in the house, or have supervision around the horses then since they listen when you tell them not to chase problem solved. If you're just letting the dogs run free outside all the time, then you're just asking for trouble. Very very few dogs should ever be trusted outside alone without a good fence. If you can't keep them fenced, keep them supervised.

 

[qtrrae]

Looks like you are getting lots of advice and suggestions. Please don't be offended - the majority of people are trying to help your situation. You must remember there have been so many dog attacks to the minis that it tends to put all mini owners on the defensive.

We have 3 German Shepherds - they are all family pets and very well trained. I want to believe that they would NEVER hurt my miniature horses but will never give them the opportunity to find out. They are never out with the horses unless attended by one of us. Keisha, loves the mini babies and I canNOT believe she would ever hurt one but she will NEVER be with one unattended.

Hugs for you as you deal with your situation - PLEASE heed the advice of many of the experts on here and do not ever, ever allow your dogs to be with those precious little horses unless you are with them.

 

[runaway ranch]

My dog was raised with minis and liked to with play them. This was the result of some "rough" playing. I would be very careful.

 

[Jean_B]

CRIMINY !! So apparently the problem is that they won't stay in the kennel or are chasing horses when you aren't around?

So NEVER let them outside of their kennel when you are not around. And if they are escape artists --

Put their kennel on a cement slab. Get kennel panels that are 10 feet high and the top foot leans over to the inside so that they cannot climb over (yes, I know of a dog that DID climb a tall kennel panel.

Or get rid of them.

Those are your options. Period. Because at some point their "play" will become dangerous.

 

[Pepipony]

Do not know if this has been said already, sorry if its a repeat. Paintball gun!! A few tags with that bad boy and they will leave the horses alone. My heelers used to chase the horses untill they were tagged, then no more. Had a neighbor watch for a few days while I was at work and they saw nothing. I also would stop up on the highway ( dogs couldnt see or hear me) to watch and nothing. They never, ever, chased them again.

 

[Kootenay]

. Dislike saying this, but when a dog even attempts to go after my horse he/she gets a BB Delivered by my Wrist Rocket Slingshot. I've been practicing with it for a good shot--(non maiming)--(right in the Rump), even before I bought Buddy. No dog comes in My Yard. I wouldn't let my own dog run my horses--even if they are well trained. Pen em' up. They won't be any worse for wear for it

.

 

[TinyMiteVillage]

All else fails get a couple of shock collars and shock them when they do it. Then they will associate the shock with the horses and leave them alone. Its better then them accidently getting ahold of one of the horses.....

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Just go and read "twelveoaks" post!!!!! :no:

 

[Joyce]

Sounds to me like another accident waiting to happening. Definitally, do something to protect the horses from the dogs.

 

[Laura]

If you cannot get rid of the dogs, and you will not get rid of the horses as rabbitsfizz has suggested then I'd suggest building a kennel that the dogs absolutely cannot get out of--chainlink fence all around as well as over the top so they cannot climb/jump out, and a cement floor so that they cannot dig out. And then make very very sure that the kennel gate is always kept closed, never accidentally left unlatched, and make sure that it cannot be opened & the dogs let out by someone else, either accidentally or on purpose.

[SIZE=12pt]This is my advice also as far as a kennel. Chasing horses is NEVER Ok and, as I know all too well, can lead to tragedy.[/SIZE]

 

[babygoose]

I agree with all those that say kennel the dogs in an escape proof kennel. I know alot of people say their dogs get out of anything but they can be contained.

Build a chain link kennel into a concrete slab. Put chain link over the top and padlock the gates. The dogs will not get out. We were lucky enough to buy property that was once a boarding kennel so have indoor/outdoor kennels with concrete floors and roofs. Dogs cannot get out of a set up like this. I know it might cost more, but the horses will be safe, and the dogs will not get out and they will be safe as well.