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Post by fureverywhere on Jun 13, 2011 21:35:24 GMT -5
Please allow me to debrief myself....arrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh
Oops she did it again, yep went all Britany on me...I don't want to put a muzzle on her. Maybe just walking in the street is enough. But she got another one.
I am so sorry to whoever that cat belongs to. I mean squirrels...it's sad but...what if that was one of our cats ya know? Hubby and son say I did what I could to prevent it and a dog is just a dog sometimes...but it was still an awful thing to get through.
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Post by fureverywhere on Jun 14, 2011 10:30:14 GMT -5
Okay, next morning and just like human kids, I am the parent here...a harness at night and walk in the street-away from greenery and driveways-until we get to a park, and even then... It's not like she has to hunt for food and she has enough squeaky toys and rawhides through the house to get out the prey instinct.
nothing else...not even a chipmunk
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Post by michele5611 on Jun 14, 2011 10:47:24 GMT -5
How is she getting to the cats? Are the running right up to her? Is she on a long flexi leash?
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Post by sugar on Jun 14, 2011 10:53:19 GMT -5
Explain what happens in more detail please, I am also pretty curious as to how she gets to the cats/small prey animals.
I hope this doesn't sounds like I'm being a know-it-all or anything (i know sometimes typing is hard not to put emotions behind it), I really am just curious.
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Post by fureverywhere on Jun 15, 2011 9:31:13 GMT -5
I've got a mesh 6 foot lead that I pull in to about 3 feet when crossing streets or walking in high risk areas. Everywhere around here is suburbia and people let their cats out at all hours. That's whats so horrible-my daughter and I have stopped and sat with that cat and held it.
During the day you can walk along and see the kitties on steps, in yards, on sidewalks, on cars, on roofs everywhere. But at night they can be in shadows and under cars and bushes and there aren't street lights everywhere so you don't see them...but of course the dog can spot them a mile away.
I keep her close an make her stay right with me but yes some cats are ballsy enough to walk up to her ( I'm thinking maybe carrying a noisemaker to scare off critters ahead of time). If you've seen your dogs go after something..it can happen in a blink.
I see where the myth of the lockable jaws comes from. Nothing I could say or do, and I tried everything, would get Ophie to release. Then you have this frantic cat fighting for it's life and it can't let go and the more it claws and thrashes the more the dog chomps to restrain it. I tried to separate them. Claw marks on hands and leg, I tried so hard...
dear Gawd as a cat lover not something ever want to see again.
Have to stay away from the residential blocks and go in the factory and business areas or stay in well lit parts of the park. The only way to prevent it besides muzzeling her is to keep her far from the opportunity.
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Post by RealPitBull on Jun 15, 2011 10:14:34 GMT -5
This is yet another prime example of why cats should not be allowed to free-roam.  It's tough when you have a very prey-driven dog with quick reflexes. My friend's Greyhound literally snags birds midflight and kills them before there is any chance for action. It's different when your dog is catching and killing domestic animals, though, and if it were me, I'd be really concerned about possible legal ramifications/problems should someone witness your "vicious Pit Bull" killing a cat. I don't know if I'd go the muzzle route, but a Gentle Leader might be a step in the right direction to help control the head/mouth to some extent. Basically, I'd do my absolute best and go out of my way to prevent this from happening ever again (fair or not, we have to live in reality). Cats can be pretty brazen and territorial, so it truly is difficult to avoid loose ones at times. Same like how it is difficult to avoid some idiot's off-leash/loose dog who charges at you and your on-leash Pit Bull. |
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Post by sugar on Jun 15, 2011 10:44:18 GMT -5
Maybe try and carry around a squirt gun to splash the cats when you see them, work on "watch me" or "leave it" and try the Gentle Leader (but also have on her reg. collar with an extra leash on it for backup).
Only suggestions I can think of. I totally get what you mean when you said you can understand where the jaw myth came from. There have been times when Chubby clamped down on something and nothing (and I mean nothing!) could get him to let it go.
Sorry you are dealing with this.
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Post by fureverywhere on Jun 16, 2011 9:06:02 GMT -5
Thanks folks,
I got another idea-A BELL!-Petco has med sized cow bells for collars to track hunting dawgs. Actually I'm going to look first at a local bead store, perhaps something decorative and sturdy yet noisy enough to announce she's coming.
Then again we've had cats that brought home squirrel tails, even with the bells, but definitely worth a try.
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Post by fureverywhere on Jun 16, 2011 14:52:49 GMT -5
That was so nice! I juststopped by the bead store and she just happened to have two tinkly bells and she gave them to me. One for Ophies collar, one for her halter...Jingle Pookins-and hopefully she'll have this confused look when the woodland creatures race away...
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Post by sugar on Jun 16, 2011 15:05:48 GMT -5
for whom the bell tolls...
lol
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I look forward to learning much here