Why does my dog kill squirrels??? ?

He's a 9 month old Labrador... i don't know how he does it but he has killed about 4 squirrels in the past two mouths, after he strangles them to death he barks at them while they are already dead and acts as if he was scared of them...why does he do it??? he doesn't get out much and hes always in the back yard, which is pretty big for him. I want him to stop killing the poor animals... what should i do to make him understand he shouldn't do that?Why does my dog kill squirrels??? ?
Let's see...


You have a teenage dog, full of vinegar...


He's a Labrador Retriever, which is a hunting dog with a strong prey drive.





You say he's in a ';pretty big'; back yard, so I guess you think that a large back yard is enough exercise for him to keep him happy and he'll exercise himself without any interaction from you?





And you want to teach him that he shouldn't do what he was bred to do! That's an interesting concept.





In reality, if you're not exercising him enough, then the squirrels are providing him with some much needed entertainment and exercise, and it uses his prey drive.





Why don't you just make some brunswick stew out of those pesty squirrels ??? -!-Why does my dog kill squirrels??? ?
He may chase and kill the squirrels out of boredom or it's possible he simply enjoys it. Either way a dog needs regular daily exercise outside the back yard, in the case of a 9 month old Lab that would be around 45 minutes.





If you take him on at least one 45 minute walk, you can then play frisbee/ball or another active game to occupy his mind %26amp; give him exercise in the back garden.





{My Dobermann b*tch has a high prey drive %26amp; loves to chase rabbits, foxes, squirrels %26amp; ducks, but as yet has never caught one.}
Let's see.......you own a Labrador RETRIEVER. They were bred for hunting and your dog's instincts are very much alive. I agree it's disgusting that he is killing squirrels but all canines are predators. My chihuahua killed a mole which was heart breaking but there is really nothing you can do except attempt to monitor him better outside to cut down on his kills.
It's probably because they taste good. My 10 year old Doberman used to be obsessed with Squirrels. Now if I tell him not to chase them, he stops whatever he is doing. You should work on training your dog. The more obedient they are, the better off you will be.
My Basenji mix used to kill any bird that landed in the back yard. Eventually the birds learned and stopped landing in the yard, the squirrels will learn and stay away.
WHY??


Because it's a GOOD DOG!!!





Dogs are CARNIVORES,dear.KILL other animals to live.
scream NO when he barks at birds or other animals.





for my dog, i just let her be and its in their nature to kill


things, even if they have there better tasting dog food. :D





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My dog does it to, but with birds. I don't mind at all, dogs are carnivores, they are hunters. Don't take away his natural instinct.