Cows and Dogs-not a combo worth trying *rant*

[Bantimna]

I know I shouldn't but I've had enough! The problem makers are the two pups (teenagers) they are the most evil of things yet!

We went for a walk and that's my job, here we are walking and suddenly our Boxer sees a herd of Free-range cattle. Off she jumps woof! woof! woof! I call and call her but she carry's on, finally the head cow picks her up with the horns and tosses her into a dead tree stump. *Doof* Here comes a Boxer walking on, limp and all. I try get here lead on and catch her, just when I get hold of her she jumps out of my arms! Off she is to go and get these cows again! Finally after 2 hours of difficulty a large cow decides Yael needs her payment back, she and the rest of them stampede her. When I got to catch up with them, Yael lying on the ground not breathing at all and bleeding. As I picked her up my beloved Fergus goes after them cows.

I couldn't wait, rushed home and traveled the 30 min drive to the vet. We got her back and she still can't leave them alone. The next cow chase sesion, happened today. She was nearly ridden over. Thanks for taking a look at my rant.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Bad dogs!!!!!!!! Whose cattle are they? I thought Cattle belonged inside a fenced pasture.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Wow sounds like an ordeal. I would suggest not letting your dogs off leash when walking ever again. This will eventually cost your dogs' lives. It has already cost them pain and Vet visits. I can't tell from your post if the cattle were in the wrong area or if your dogs just ran into a pasture or something...either way its up to you now to prevent the problem. Some good solid training would help to, but the first step is to manage the problem by leashing your dogs each time they are out with you.

 

[Haviris]

Wow, sounds like a rough day! I hope your dogs get better!

It is a very good idea not to let your puppies off lead til they are reliable (and some are never reliable).

 

[walkswithdog]

Sounds like leash time. Hard way to learn it, hope they are both well now. Be glad there wasn't a cowboy nearby, they've legal right to shoot a dog harassing cattle in nearly every state where there still are cattle. I'm sorry they were hurt it can be frightening to see. Open range cattle at least make a good show of trying to defend themselves. Eventually they lose but one dog at a time has less chance. Be glad they weren't longhorns, I've seen them hold a grudge against the human with the dogs and bad things happened.

 

[Bluemoon420]

Dunno, what the laws are in South Africa regarding free range cattle, but I would try and keep the dogs on a leash at least. I hope they are ok, and get better soon.

Bluemoon

 

[rooster0209]

Wow! U are lucky the dog isnt dead. Around here, if a dog chases cows...the dog disappears

Don't let them off leash again. Maybe invest in shock collars. I know several dogs whose ears began to work under the advice of a shock collar (used properly that is)

 

[MaggieRae]

Quote:
Yep yep. I do like those long horns though...

I would also agree leash time. I don't let my dog off-leash if she's around an animal that could hurt her. Cow, horse, or rooster (that rooster is tough, I tell ya! You'd think since she's a trained death dealer in all things small and furry/feathery, she could take him, but nope. Little ol' rooster makes that 50 lb dog run off with her tail between her legs.).
Sorry about your pup.

I've seen that happen to a dog back when I did cattle drives 2 or 3 times a year.

 

[chickensioux]

I agree with everyone else, I wouldn't let them off leash.....at least in that area anyway. Take them somewhere safer to let them rip.

 

[Akane]

Reason my dogs are never out of a fenced yard off a rope... Getting a good recall on an akita and shiba will take you every hour of every day for the next year or 2 and then you'll probably end up starting over at some point when something becomes too tempting. If you can't trust the dog to listen completely and you know there will be distractions it's time for a leash or to find a new place to walk them. We have 300' rock climbing ropes with carabiners that can hold 500+ lbs. Half the time just letting them drag the rope is enough to slow them down and tire them out so they don't run off. They have skijoring harnesses made for pulling. When I'm out in the yard I divide the rope in half, throw the middle around a tree, and put a dog on either end. They can cover a 150' radius which is bigger than many people's fenced areas for dogs and I'm nearby if they happen to get tangled. Granted it's not the same as running loose but for their own safety and that of other animals and people they can get their exercise at dog parks, in the fenced part of the yard, or dragging something to slow them down.