i really need help with this one

When we go out for walks we like to let our dogs off lead as we have plenty of space to run about here .... anyway, the problem is Maya my northern inuit.
Everytime she sees a rabbit she runs off and doesnt matter how loud we call her she just doesnt come back We make weird sounding noises to get her attention...doesnt work, we run in the opposite direction making funny noises....doesnt work.

She is like in a "hunting mode" and ignores everything around her...last time she fell in a river trying to catch a rabbit

Her recall is good but only if there are no rabbits about

Any ideas how to get this problem sorted?

Can't give you any advise because I know nothing of your breed - but I know with mine - nothing I do will stop them - once they get the scent thats it - fortunately - they do not run after them so much as they pick up their scent and track them, were we walk there are so many warrens that the bunnies escape easily without having to make a run for it, (we have clever bunnies in our area).

fortunately neither of the dogs I have now have ever caught one - BUT - the dog I lost in March did. And I have a orrible feeling that the young girl I have now will follow in her footsteps next spring - she's good and she's fast
regards
DT

lol lol sorry laughing at the fell in the river bit.
they do have good hunting skills and do go into one dont they lol
as her hunting sence is so strong dont see much you can do really apart from not go where theres rabbits or keep her on the lead,
or you got to have something thats more tastier than the rabbit or more fun than chasing them and put her on a long line and teach her even though there are rabbits about, the things you got or do are far better. its going to be really hard though if not near impossible with a dog with high hunting sence.
i take it she does come back sooner or later ?????

__________________
Stryder the Utonagan


www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

http://www.nuadalseurope.co.uk/

Rabbit Skin for wrapping dummies only £6.50 - more - www.canineconcepts.co.uk

Have a look at gundog training info as this covers this subject
The bolting rabbit is the best training aid I know of for this

HaHa I missed the falling in the river bit -
but reminds me my pupster decider to chase the ducks the other day - the ducks flew off the jetty and she followed - I reckno she thought she would either fly or walk on water - it ws so funny seeing he trying to run in mid air!!!! wish I had had a camera!!!
DT

oh that would of been great to see.
the best one with me is when sprinkle decided to swim a 1/2mile up a canal after a swan, oh or when crystal was walking pass a tree and a squirel fell out of the tree i dont know who jumped the highest crystal or the squirel lol lol

__________________
Stryder the Utonagan


www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

http://www.nuadalseurope.co.uk/

She is a nightmare lol ( but we love her for that )

Today out at the walk she was tracking most of the time sticking her head into bushes just incase something sits in there

She really doesnt react while hunting, she is like in a different world, her face totally changes ... like shes possessed (sp) haha

I tried the tastiest of food but she will split it out and run
She only comes back after the rabbit managed to escape but by then she is really really far away

Would maybe whistle recall help?

Would have loved to see that haha

When we walked once a phesant suddenly shoot out of a ditch .... we all 4 jumped as high as we could haha

They reckon for dogs chasing sheep that the best and most effective cure is to put the dog in apen with a ram for a few minutes but I don't think doing the same with a rabbit would have the same effect.

How about a tracking lead so that they have a decent amount of freedom but when they do decide to give chase you are able to stop them mid chase, provide the correction and hopefully from that they will learn.

You could maybe borrow a rabbit and keep it in a run where the dogs can see it but use corrections everytime they go near it until they get the idea of going near them does not gain a reward. The correction maybe a "No!", a squirt of water or a shock collar (Controversial eek but if you see the dog chasing as a danger to the dog then it depends how mush you want to fix the issue and how far you are willing to go to ensure the safety of your dog or the rabbit.

It is hard as they are following their natural instinct and trying them to not use it is extinguishing natural behaviour, one of the hardest things to do.

If all else fails it will save you on pet food prices and you may even have to get a large number of rabbit recipes.

Good luck.

OMFG!!!!!!!! £6.50..
I have a packing crate crammed full of skins if you want one Natik pm me and you can have one for nothing.
We train our dogs not to run in and chase on fur and feather by use of a long line, a stooge bunny and the down whistle.. However I appreciate this may not be as easy with your breed.. but if I can offer you anymore help please ask. It should be possible as even my lurchers which I regularly rabbit with can be pulled up if I need them too and they are serious hunting machines.