dog barking at horses

[perose]

We have a 14mth old jack russell which we re-homed 4 mths ago. She is brilliant off lead when we are walking but we have to keep our eyes open for horses all the time as she just flies at them barking hysterically. She also goes DEAF and doesn't come straight back when called. We do not want her to get kicked. Has any one out there got any tips. PLEASE

[fredpuli47]

Yes. Keep her on the lead when you are anywhere near horses or, better, don't take her where horses are. There's no reason to upset the horses and cause them stress. You may, in any event, cause them to stampede, with dangerous consequences to other people. And, of course, if one does land a kick on the dog's head you'll have a dead dog.

If she's with you when a rider is passing you'll risk her causing that horse to rear up, throwing the rider. That could give rise to an action.

[perose]

We DO indeed keep her on a lead when anywhere near horses BUT there are occasions when a horse suddenly appears without any warning. We try and stick to footpaths but those are encroached by many horse riders in our area. We cannot keep our dog on a lead at all times.

[MenorcaQueen]

Watch "The Dog Whisperer" on TV or buy his book. Phenomenal.

[silverlace]

There isnt a solution to this unless you never take the dog out. Jack russels are yappy little dogs. You are stuck with it now. Would you like a loopy spotty idiot to keep it company?

[perose]

Thankyou menorcaqueen, we do watch it, didn't realise he had a book. Will certainly look it up.

[MenorcaQueen]

Found a few on www.amazon.co.uk. About �12.

[perose]

silverlace, thank you for that. I think one is enough. I will add that she is not normally yappy but just appears to dislike horses !

[perose]

Thank you menorcaqueen.

[LoftyLottie2]

My JR isn't yappy. Actually she's a JR cross and very tiny with a huge big dog bark!! Never barks when's she's out though unless she sees a man in a woolly black hat!!


Perhaps one of those extra long leads would help. They give a dog plenty of opportunities to run around on the lead, but you can haul her back in.

Leave her good runs for areas that you are sure have no horses.

[LoftyLottie2]

Do you know the dogs previous history? It may involve horses and the reason she flies at them barking.

[smudge]

The neighbours across the road to us had a Jack Russell, it barked like crazy at anyone going past on a bicycle!

Not at people, motorbikes, cars, lorries - just bicycles!

Very strange!

[wildwood]

I don't think you grasp the seriousness of the problem. Imagine some kid coming around the corner and having her/his pony spooked by your JR. Any resulting injury or worse will be YOUR fault. Can you live with that?
At least look into some remedies for the problem. I honestly don't think you'll find the solution in a book. This needs hands-on behaviour modification.

[terambulan]

Since you're aware of the dogs fear of horses either train it or keep it away from the horses.

To train; take the dog on a short lead near the horse. As soon as the dog barks tap dog with your foot and tell it to sit. Keep doing this until it learns to stop barking & chasing horses.

If the dog stampedes the horses & a horse is maimed the owner can sue you for damages.