Not really liking my dog tonight (dog vs. kitten story with sad consequences) (training, mice) - Dogs - - City-Data Forum

atina33 · 09-22-2013, 09:42 PM

My 12 lb. dog got a hold of a feral kitten tonight.

I rushed the kitten and was headed to the front yard where I know the mother will find it...but the kitten literally died in my hands.

I left the kitten where I had last seen the mother. I don't know if animals think like this but I wanted her to have "closure." I will bury the kitten tomorrow if the body is still there.

I KNOW this is just nature and canine instinct yet it's tough when it was done by one of your own.

One of the worst things was the fact that my 9 y.o. son saw it; he's super sensitive about animals. I lied to him and told him the kitten was ok. I didn't want him upset at our dog too.

Sigh....at least the kitten died quickly and won't live the rough life of a feral.

brokencrayola · 09-23-2013, 12:51 AM

I would have a very hard time if one of my pets killed another, or killed any animal for that matter.

longnecker · 09-23-2013, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I would have a very hard time if one of my pets killed another, or killed any animal for that matter.

I had a really good dog that reached down into a rabbit hole and killed a bunny. It's a natural instinct.

TinaMcG · 09-23-2013, 06:28 AM

I can imagine how awful you must feel. I felt terrible enough when one of ours got a grasshopper yesterday she spit it out before she could injure it a d I checked to see if it was okay -- and I can't even stand grasshoppers.

dualie · 09-23-2013, 10:03 AM

it must have been a tough thing to watch... poor kitty. But try not to be angry with your dog, he was being a dog and dogs do these things.

Mine are little hunters and they will kill whatever they are able to catch. I don't particularly want to watch it... but I know it's what they are hard wired to do and I have to accept it. From groundhogs to lizards.... if they aren't fast enough- it's on!

Bury the poor thing and put it behind you. Hope the rest of the family finds another place to live.

atina33 · 09-23-2013, 10:15 AM

I buried the kitten this a.m.

I'm not angry at my dog, I know she's just acting like a dog. Just like I know this kitten would have grown up to do the same thing to birds, mice, etc. Just wish my son hadn't seen it. This morning he asked me "Are you sure the kitten is ok?" (sigh)

My son is adopted but he seems to have inherited my extreme sensitivity to animal. This is both good and bad; I'm sure many of you understand that. (;

The Help Desk · 09-23-2013, 10:26 AM

Yes dogs are a descendant of wolves and yes they do still have a prey drive, but it is up to us to teach them what is acceptable and what is not. Killing cats is not acceptable. If you think it's fine that your dog kills rabbits, that's up to you.

stan4 · 09-23-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I would have a very hard time if one of my pets killed another, or killed any animal for that matter.

Yeah.

I have to say that when my dog gets hold of a rabbit, it bugs the crap out of me, but the dumb things won't quit coming into our yard.

atina33 · 09-23-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Help Desk

Yes dogs are a descendant of wolves and yes they do still have a prey drive, but it is up to us to teach them what is acceptable and what is not. Killing cats is not acceptable. If you think it's fine that your dog kills rabbits, that's up to you.

Exactly how does one teach a dog that it's not acceptable?

I'm all ears.

The Help Desk · 09-23-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atina33

Exactly how does one teach a dog that it's not acceptable?

I'm all ears.

Same way you teach the dog anything; positive reinforcement of good habits.

This book has been a boon for my dog's behavior. Official Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) site: humane help for aggression, frustration, and fear in dogs, horses, and other animals.