Patterdale Terrier - help needed

[christian71 3,187]

I have just acquired a 1 year old Patterdale (from a dog rescue) and indoors he is an angel, house trained, affectionate and dog friendly (I have 2 other rescue dogs).

 

However, outdoors is a different matter. Both on and off the lead all he wants to do is chase and hunt (on the lead he screams when he sees prey and I am sure the neighbours think I am killing him).

 

Off the lead if he gets a scent he is off like a rocket and because the previous owner did not work on recall he just will not come back until he is exhausted.

 

We have managed to get him to respond "occasionally" to a squeaky ball closely followed by a tasty treat BUT his hunting instincs are very strong and I would really appreciate some tips and advice on how to focus and harness his instincs.

 

I am not a hunter myself but would be willing to do anything to give my little Patterdale a great life and if his hunting instincts are that good then I would consider joining someone if they would be willing to help me train him correctly.

 

I really do not want him to end up getting lost and picked up as a stray again so if anyone out there in Surrey or West Sussex (I live near Gatwick airport) would like to help me train this little monster sign up below

 

Keep it on its lead simple

[cdnhastings 23]

I think another thing you are going to have ask yourself before you do this, is this, "am I gonna be cool with seeing my pet taking some damage, tore up etc, am I willing to risk the dogs life everytime I take him out hunting?" I mean that is the black and white of getting your terrier out hunting isn't it? For sure you do everything in your power to get to your terrier as quick as you can , but shit happens and that is a real possibility each and every time he is off the lead and out of sight. Real questions for real possibilities....

[Rik 49]

Ive got 2 Patts that are exactly the same, at home they are calm loving pets,but as soon as the leads come out and its time to go TOTAL CHANGE,once they get there heads down on to a sent there gone

They do come back sometimes 2min others 10mins lost the bitch 36hrs once she was found 14 miles from home

you cant stop a working dog working its a bit like asking a fish to stop swiming

micro chip helps just incase it does get lost

[Tally Ho Hunter 60]

sounds like a set up to me but if your 6 foot blonde and have a good top chest ill teach you everything you need to no

[gav22 24]

you need to sit down and think what it is you want cos if you start working the dog it will get smashed at could you handle seeing seeing your wee mans face opened and maybe a piece of his nose missing and blood running out of him and would you be able to give him the proper treatment or know when its time for the vets and if his instinct for hunting is as strong as you say it will not have a nice life being kept as a pet id say you should get out with somone that knows what there doing leave the dog at home the first time and when its time to pull the dog out of the hole you do it see if you have the nerve digging foxs is not an easy thing to do when i first went digging i was tested if i wasnt able to reach in and pull the dog out i wouldn have been brought out again i think you should give the dog a proper life and give it to an experienced person who will work it and look after it and stick to keeping a pet

[Guest TERRIERCENTRAL]

like already said how you going to feel if it looses its life at ground ?????

[darkangelwitch 0]

Thank you everyone, definately food for thought. You are all quite right, could I cope with him being hurt? I am not a squeamish person and have no qualms about dealing with rabbits/foxes/rats etc but am I willing to see him cut and bloody - that's what I have to think about and that is the reason I came to this forum, to get real advice and hard facts.

 

He already has a microchip and even if I do not decide to take him digging I will get him a locator (just in case he goes to ground) so I at least have half a chance of finding him.

 

Thank you all again, I appreciate the honesty.

 

And Tally Ho, not a set up just someone who is not sure what direction to go in with him yet and sorry you are out of luck, I am not a 6ft blond etc, sorry mate