Dogs and Good Country Neighbors

» Red - Dogs and Country Living...

Gloria,

I really enjoyed this article. Thanks for sharing and educating us on the matter of free roaming dogs.

I grew up on a farm in rural Ontario. Our dogs did run free, except for the watchdog, Prince, who was always chained by the gas tanks. The dogs were taught when very young that they could not go past certain boundaries and we seldom had a problem.

One dog was an exception. He loved eggs and chickens. It wasn't bad enough that he broke into the henhouse and killed all of my grandfather's chickens, he also went around to the neighbors and killed theirs as well. I remember Grandpa and the dog heading out the the back forty, Grandpa's rifle on his shoulder. I never saw the dog again.

I am not saying this is the solution. I feel that all people, whether city dwellers or those in rural areas are responsible for their pets and should keep them on a leash or chain.

Thanks again for sharing.

-- posted by Red

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» Gloria_Morris - Re: Dogs and Country Living...

Thanks for the comments, Red! Once a dog starts killing livestock, it is hard to find a good solution, and the solution your Grandpa chose is often the sad result. Many dogs learn boundaries and do not need fences, but some dogs are simply not boundary trainable.

I've had mostly herding breeds and hounds over my life. Herding breeds (border collies, German Shepherd Dogs, shelties, etc.) seem to learn boundaries easily and stay home. Hounds will follow their noses where ever they lead and generally need to be fenced or otherwise physically restrained to keep them home. How a person keeps their dogs home will vary, based on the dog and circumstances. It is sad, but people do need to be made aware of what their dogs do when they wander off on "adventures." So many do cause problems.

-- posted by Gloria_Morris

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» Red - Re: Re: Dogs and Country Living...

In response to message posted by Gloria_Morris:

Gloria, yes, it is unfortunate that sometimes a dog must be put down. Back in those days Vets weren't required to put animals down. It was done humanly as possible.

Thanks for the interesting article. I hope to read more here in future. Thanks for visiting my topic. I'm glad you enjoyed my article as well.

Gloria, if you have any articles that will fit the Nature's Treasures Event, please submit them. You topic looks great.

-- posted by Red

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» Joy Butler - Country dogs

So true, so very true! Free roaming is also dangerous for the dogs.

-- posted by Joy Butler

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