Emma and Horse training

[POWERSCOL]

For those of you with horses, any advice is welcome.

I have two very easy going horses. Aspen will hang her head over the fence (pasture is next to the yard) and just stare and tolerate Emma barking at her - and that's one issue. I try and say "No" and "Leave It" "Hush", but she was being bull headed and just kept barking. I can see her trying to get closer in the yard, but was being timid.

Now for the strange part - when I go out to feed she will go with me and even go part way in the stall to look at the horses. They basically ignore her and she does not bark at all, however if I am there she is fearless. I have had to grab her to keep her from going under their feet.

I did pick her up today and let the horses sniff her and she them - it went very well (horses could have cared less, and just went on eating). Emma was a bit apprehensive at first (no wining, just looking at me and licking my hand holding her) , but did sniff the neck, got nose to nose, and looked directly at both of them (separate stalls). She was very calm with no barking or struggling. She even licked their neck. When I put her down, she looked up and them and then walked out of the stall sat down and waited for me to finish the chores.

Tonight she was back to barking from the yard again - I had to go grab her collar and bring her in as she would not come or stop barking. She even tried to avoid me getting her.

Thoughts on how to get her to stop barking and be more responsive, And how to teach her to stay away from their feet, or does that come with age.

Thanks again

[Mooch]

Oh I know your problem all too well

Both my dogs have this game where they try to "scare" the horses. Pep couldn't care less, they run up to her and bark and she just looks at them - Basia on the other hand is frightened of them and she spooks and runs away. So she's "fun" to scare.

The only thing that I found worked was to have Hex on a long line, and running a low strand of electric fence on the inside of the yard.
You could possibly try to distract her with a toy or something fun, that's more exciting than barking at the horses - which tends to be a fun "game".

[POWERSCOL]

Emma finally got nose to nose with Aspen my horse over the fence. Aspen leaned way over. Emma approached like she was stalking, then just sat down within inches, let out a little bark, then retreated. Aspen my horse just looked at her - must have been thinking what is this noisy fur ball.

Emma is barking less and watching more from the back porch when they are in the pasture, Hopefully over time the barking will stop (I do say "Hush" when I hear it) and if she complies I say good girl and reward.

Any suggestion on how to keep her from under the feet? She is real brave when I am with her around them doing chores.

Thanks

[Mooch]

I think all you can do I'd keep her on lead or not have her around the horses when you need both hands so she doesn't get stepped on.

Both of mine have been kicked so they now keep their distance from the feet lol

When my first GSD was a tiny pup I used to put her in my jacket, and zip it up - her head stuck out under my chin
It was nice and warm and she wasn't gonna get squashed by a hoof.


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[POWERSCOL]

Wife took Emma outside while she went to look for something in her car - came back in a panic a few minutes later that she could not find her.

So we went into panic mode - wife out front me in back. Emma did not respond to calls - where did I find her - in the paddock, between the horses eating horse poo.

It was a chore to catch her - with a ball of poo in her mouth. She was playing keep away. I did manage to catch her by the scruff/ear on one of her flybys - remember I am a bit long in years and not as fast as I use to be. I did feel bad about how I caught her.

We will be doubling our efforts on the leave it command - at least now I know what to put down for the training - who knew horse poo would be good for that. Also the leash is now by the door for anything out of the yard.

Good news is she was not barking at the horses and kept her distance from out under them. Horses were not spooked either.

Bad news is she needs a bath

Yep - I know she is teaching me.

[Mooch]

Haha oh they love eating horse poop
And cow poop - I busted Mojo licking a cow pad the other day lol

Don't feel bad grabbing her floofies if they play keep away you gotta grab what you can lol I have grabbed hex by the tail before


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[POWERSCOL]

So she got a bath this morning and went out with Mom tonight - I give up - I guess I need to live with a puppy that smells like horse poop. Ill brush the green tint out tomorrow. - Go ahead and laugh - I did.

Good news she behaved tonight, staying out form under and only barking once per the boss unit. Looks like the socializing under our watchful eye is working.

[Mooch]

That's really good Lucky your horses are sensible - one of mine isn't and it has made it such a "fun" game for the dogs sot scare the horses :/ mine is a year old and I still have to take him out on a long line

Haha smelly green puppy - yuck

One caution, don't let her eat the poo if you have just dewormed the horses (It's logical but I thought I should mention it )

Post some pictures of puppy and horses

[Lilie]

I have had horses and dogs for many, many years. I tend to lean towards safety at all times. I do not allow my dogs to enter the stalls...ever. It doesn't matter if there is a horse inside or not. They are to remain in the runway.

When they are young I practice OB and make them down/stay outside the stall when I dump feed. As they progress and mature I'll make them down/stay when I'm grooming (longer period).

As Hondo is three now, he can be trusted to stay out of trouble when I'm in the stalls. I don't ask him to down/stay. Normally he'll lay outside the stall and wait for me.

I utilize the command "here". Which means I want you to come back to me, but you don't have to "come" to me. So if I'm in a stall and I don't hear/see the dogs, I can say "Here!" and they'll come back inside the barn, or outside the stall runs. They know to come to where they can see me.

I also keep double tags on their collars. That way I hear them jingling when they romp about (the barn cats hear them too!). I want to always know where they are, but don't always want them next to me.

It isn't important to me for my dogs and horses to be friends. I want my dogs to ignore the horses.