Dog chasing squirels

[kittenlittle]

How can I stop him? I'm scared he's going to get lost in the park.

[smiffy65]

keep him on a lead

[gelda]

You can't really unless you keep him on a lead as Smiffy says but that's cruel because all dogs need to free run, I used to be a dog walker, was for 30 years and I had this problem all the time, they always came back as long as I stayed in the same place as they left me, I'm afraid this is part of a dogs enjoyment on a walk and you just have to take that chance. Good luck. Gelda.

[divegirl]

Hi, to be honest if you can't recall your dog then he shouldn't be off of the lead. What if he was to chase a child or a bigger dog [scare tactics I know!]. Get him trained to come to you on command and this won't be a problem, until then keep him on the lead.

Lisa x

[kita1]

Keep him on a lead!

You can use a long line (a washing line is cheap and strong!) until his recall is reliable. This gives him enough lead to run and play and follow scents etc. but gives you the reassurance that he cannot run off totally.

Use food treats when he does come back to you (when on the long line), or maybe try a ball, some dogs will focus on a ball rather than chase a squirrel. (If you are involved in the game it is more fun!). Basically you have to be more exciting than anything else around!!

Good luck!

[kwicky]

Buy a dog whistle and train him to act on certain commands. Sheep dogs do exactly this!

[jonnythebosh]

I've just spent the last hour with the same problem. It doesn't matter how well trained they are, if it's in the dogs breeding then they will do it. My dog is obedient and well behaved but it all goes out of the window when a tree rat appears. But at least she comes back when shes killed them.

[doglady2]

Hi,not impressed with the last answer!!!!!!!
If a dog chases something and you dont want it to then IF your dog is not going to return to you on a command and you know it,then the safeset thing to do is keep it on the lead.
The fact that it will return only after it has killed it (last answer).what will it chase and kill next??????????I would not be bragging about that at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Its a natural instinct for animals to chase but we can control it by keeping our animals under control,allbeit being on a line or flexlead.
Its called being a responsable owner of which i am sure YOU are..Regards.

[RATTER15]

I always trained my dogs not to chase things that it shouldn't chase.

Johnythebosh, If you think your dog is trained and obedient, you are very much mistaken, and any dog can be trained not to chase things, and I mean any dog!!!
You sound like a typical "I cant be bothered to train my dog" sort, it will sit when you shout and that is it.
I'm guessing you have a staffie!! Great dogs but unfortunately not very many great owners!!