| Archive for The Brittany Forum For all friends of the versatile Brittany |
| sallie |
SquirrelsHi to you all - i have a big problem with Monets' obsession with squirrels in that it has now got out of hand. Today Monet caught and kill one and i wondered how i can break this before it becomes a habit, he totally ignores the whistle when he has the scent of one and i have to try to retreive him (a bit too quick for me) - a positive thing though, he brought it back to me!! Sallie |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Hi Sallie
Does he kill game when he has the chance or is it just squirrels? As they are vermin, or at least the grey ones are, I would be praising Ghill up everytime she managed to get one of the pesky things. By gum he must be quick!! Jan |
| sallie |
Hi
Monet points and flushes game and shows no interest in going for the kill, it's only squirrels! i am just concerned that this might transfer on to game |
| honeys humans |
nice to know i haven't got the only squirrel obsessed brittany lol 
5 squirrels in nut heaven so far 
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| Annie as admin |
Sorry, can't help with this. Mine don't know what a squirrel is and anyway I wouldn't want them to, we have pretty red ones.
Annie |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
I wouldn't worry Sallie, Ghill is sudden death on rats as well and so far she is fine when on a shoot. She is very soft mouthed when retrieving game and always has been. Mind you that might be because the birds don't run when she goes to fetch them. Personally I think they kill when the chase instinct is aroused running after the critters, if the dratted thing just dropped with a thud in front of them they would then just bring it to you. This doesn't explain why Ghill can go after a runner and bring it back alive. No doubt Guy will have some pithy comment to make. 
Jan |
| honeys humans |
the squirrels seem to have little heart attacks i think - never a mark on the ones honey catches 
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| johnhod |
I'd try to discourage it just because of the nasty nip that these tree rats can give. This could then lead to a fear of picking things up. |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
I don't think they get chance to nip, it's one quick crunch and they are gone. Make sure all their jabs are up to date though.
Jan |
| sallie |
Thanks for that - it is very reassuring to hear other dogs go after squirrels and other nasty rodents. I think that the one Monet had died of a heart attack too as there were no bite marks on it...not that i was looking as it happened in the middle of the local park and i wanted to hide the squirrel. |
| honeys humans |
squirrel revenge attack? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4489792.stm |
| Ghilliegumdrop |
When is the film out?? We have black squirrels living here, Oh blast......
Jan |
| honeys humans |
is the stuff doggy nightmares are made of 
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| Victoria |
From what I read in the Field and the Shooting Gazette, Monet and any other grey squirrel munching Breton should receive an award!!! Sallie, fear not for our breed are very clever and they know their quarry and how to adjust their tactics. I do not believe you have anything to worry about...one minute a rat in the hay the next point and flush a pheasant...of course, when shooting there is the association of the gun to give them the appropriate cues...not that they really need any cues 
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| Victoria |
There was a recipe for squirrel in the Shooting Gazette
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| sallie |
Hi, well everyone in the park think that monet is a star as the squirrels are ripping the trees to pieces. Monet runs back and forth willing the squirrels to come down, but i think that they have become a bit wise, as for the last few days not a sight of any. Monet quite happy running about, pointing and flushing pigeons thankfully
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| dibnahs-dad |
Dibnah has been quite successful at thinned the squirel population out round here, his tally is 3 so far and whenever he kills one then he gets a reward, such as a fuss, but never a treat as I dont want to encourage this behaviour. He caught his first when we where having our loft converted and one got inside the house and the others he's killed have all been in our garden.
I wouldnt encourage this type of behaviour purely if the dog isnt paying any attention to the whistle then there is the danger they could run off and if close to roads who knows what might happen. 
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