New To Terriers

[Kyle Wynn 1]

I have 2 terriers. Bitch jack russell (8 months) and a patterdale dog (8 weeks)

 

I ocassionally go rabbiting with the air rifles and the jack russell but never showed any interest but then again i never brought her up to. I've tried showing her a rabbit weve caught and she thought it was a play toy and expecting it to play etc etc.

 

Now my patterdale is already showing signs that he might be a good dog for it, I've had him a week and hes already got the nack of the puddy pads in the house and is starting to take notice of sitting before meals/treats etc.

 

As much as I would like him to come hunting with us I'm also scared of a few things:

 

1. The Baby! I would never leave any dog alone with him but what are the chances he would just snap?

 

2. The Mrs has cats and the last thing I want is him attacking any of the pets.

 

3. Far in the future this. When I go out I'd be taking the 2 of them. What if for instance, the patty seen something, took chase and it turned out to be a badger/fox. Do you think my bitch would help or would I have to take my chances and intervene? (I only ever plan rabbits but things pop up now and again!)

 

4. BARF, what meat should I use to feed them? Alot i have seen is pretty expensive and I dont want to get the wrong one! Money isnt an issue my dogs will always have the best

 

I may sound like I shouldnt be doing it if I'm not sure of it and I dont plan on him turning into full working dog jus hoping it would keep them alert and athletic and of course to protect the house and not be scared

 

Thanks everyone.

[Kyle Wynn 1]

Hopefully in the right section here

[moonlighter 1,165]

You'll be grey before your 30 with all that worry!! Take a chill pill and just get on with it

[sandymere 8,263]

Dogs chase rabbits it normal and doesn’t make them vicious. Terriers may go to ground, its a hazard of the breed.

I'd take the air rifle out shooting without a terrier as the range you will be at you can walk over to pick up.

If you want to go bushing with the terrier there’s a bushing section on here where you can get some advice.

For now I'd just concentrate on good obedience training.

 

BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and is a load of old wives tails but what most mean when they use this term is a "home made diet" of meat, fat and carbs, rather than a bag of complete dried or tinned etc. Adding meat and bones, veg etc along with a complete is what I find easiest and seems to do the trick.

[Kyle Wynn 1]

Dogs chase rabbits it normal and doesn’t make them vicious. Terriers may go to ground, its a hazard of the breed.I'd take the air rifle out shooting without a terrier as the range you will be at you can walk over to pick up.If you want to go bushing with the terrier there’s a bushing section on here where you can get some advice.For now I'd just concentrate on good obedience training.BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and is a load of old wives tails but what most mean when they use this term is a "home made diet" of meat, fat and carbs, rather than a bag of complete dried or tinned etc. Adding meat and bones, veg etc along with a complete is what I find easiest and seems to do the trick.

I've had them on a raw pet mince with pasta/veg and a handfull of pedigree biscuits that I'm trying to get through. I thought meat and bones were minced into the meat i had but I'm now guessing its just put on top of there food?

 

You'll be grey before your 30 with all that worry!! Take a chill pill and just get on with it

Its more the safety of the dogs tbh. I'd like them to take to it but I'm worried for their sake.