For those who use pets (dogs and cats) to rat for them....

[Lady of McCamley]

@aart and @Folly's place

I'm not big on face, or body licking, (Guide Dogs really discouraged that with their projects as most blind people report not liking being licked), so prior dogs I trained to not lick.

However, this particular dog has submissive licking as part of his coping mechanism (he was abused and feral the first 8 months of his life)...I've had him for a year now, and he has come a long way since his first cowering days in my home.

So while I'm not personally into the licking, I recognize I will have to simply endure some of it as he continues to learn how to cope with life.

So back to the mouthwash and hand washing.

But hey...he's housebroken, body touch comfortable, leash trained, cat trained, stranger trained, chicken trained, and now able to discern between allowable prey, yet know when to calm down and chill.

I'd say we've come a long way

Now I just have to get him to chill in the car without throwing up in distress....one step at a time.

But...I'm getting my ratter

LofMc

 

[donrae]

What a good dog!

My dogs and cats have dispatched rats on and off over the years and I've not seen any injuries, no illnesses. Sometimes I'm not sure how they didn't get bit, but there's no marks on them......

I've followed the Mongrol Hoard a bit, is that the group you're talking about? He's got a long thread on a homesteading board. He does mention bites, but no illness. And that's an ever-lovin' crapton of rats they go through, from the pics. If any dog was going to come down with something, I'd think it would be his. Those pics give me the willys

I think just good sense. If your pup turns up with an injury, treat accordingly and maybe get the advice of a vet. I don't think there's much you can do in advance besides regular immunizations, etc.

Submissive licking---uugh. Still icky, but I get it. Maybe being able to exercise some prey drive might help redirect some of that? We can hope, right