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So, my Boxers have just caught their first rat. Completely unintentionally, but I'm very happy

I'm rather pleased, as I've noticed rat droppings near my poultry feed bin. The dogs were actually doing their fox-protection bit (wee-ing round the bird runs), rather than on any sort of hunt. Generally, I'd discourage them from killing stuff, but since I don't want rats around, especially since I've got young chicks, I don't mind them catching them.

However, I'm not sure if one of them hasn't been bitten by it?

Murphy found it, yelped, tossed it in the air and Max caught it and ran off. Max had blood in his mouth/round his jowls. The rat is completely dead (and intact!)

I've clened Max's face off - looks much worse cos of the slobber - and can't see anything actively bleeding; and he's not sore, wincing or pulling away.

Are there any precautions I should take for them - specific jabs etc?

Could be worth phoning the vet for advice - I know for sure if I was bitten by a rat I'd go to the doctor as they carry Weil's disease (not sure what that is exactly but don't want it anyway!).

We use our Border Terrier, Harvey, as a ratter, and he's regularly immunised against leptospirosis. However, the immunisation only covers the most common strains so you still need to be aware of the symptoms.

I'd also suggest that you train your boxers so you have more control over their "hunting", which will reduce the risks to them (and of them targeting other animals).

I've trained Harvey to only attack on command, to only target rats, mice, rabbits and pigeons, and to ignore chickens, chicks, pigs, sheep, etc. Some of our hens escaped this morning, so I told him to stay while I rounded them up. Two of the hens walked past him without him doing more than rolling his eyes at them, then one actually ran over him. He ignored her, too.

If we see something interesting, he knows to "wait". If I say "go", it means run and investigate. If I say "get it", he's free to attack. Once he's attacked, I shout "drop" and he drops his catch, then guards it until I retrieve it. He then gets a treat while I dispose of the carcass.

I spent a long time working him with a rat-sized bundle of rags tied to a long rope, teaching him not just the commands but to flick the bundle so that if it had been a rat its neck would be broken. The idea being to get him to kill "prey" instantly without breaking its skin, teaching him not to munch on the "prey", and teaching him to give up the prey to me without fuss.

It's all about working with his instincts and knowing pack behaviour. I'm the pack leader, he's the junior member of the pack. I decide what the prey is, he kills it for us, I get first share, and ensure he gets his share.

Ta muchly both!

Both boys are at the vets on Friday for their yearly boosters, so I'll check then. I thought it might be the Lepto vacc, so at least they have that yearly anyway...

In terms of hunting; the boys know that they are not allowed where our birds are, and we've fenced it off. Previously, they have chased a rabbit up to the fence/gate and not gone after it, as it crosses the boundary. They don't have access to other animals, and aren't off lead around livestock.

They've got a solid 'leave/drop' command; which I need living near a beach. We get dead sheep, jellyfish, fish, seagulls and all manner of nasties, so the boys will usually tell me they've found something and sit and wait for me to come and look

This is a pic of Murphy after 'finding' a treasure on the beach - he just sat and waited for me to arrive!


I've been working on other 'hunt' commands. Luckily, the breed originally was bred with a strong hunting instinct (for bears and wild boars though), so it's just a case of teaching them the right commands. Interestingly, I also use "wait" and "get it" - so I'm on the right lines!

Definitely sounds like you're on the right track. Among the key things are training them not to attack unless instructed, to identify and ignore non-prey animals, and to give up kills immediately, without chewing on them.

Here's Harvey doing something similar to Murphy, although he caught this rat...