[JasperLoki]

I am trying to figure this out, or maybe looking too much into it.

First, I heard that male GSD's are more location protective, and females are more protective of their masters/family? (I forgot were I read.

Anyways to the question, and if anyones GSD does this.

Jasper is very highly alert in the backyard (probably like all others GSD on the forum). He is a working line import, so he seems to have the extra juice flowing in his veins.

No matter what it is, he chases it out of the yard, Birds, Butterflies, and even Bumble Bees

When he chases the bumble bees, he is in a very irritated and focused state of mind in regards to attempting to catch it

He is just as focused on catching it, as if it was a rabbit or stray cat in our yard, he wants to destroy it.

When he is in chase mode, he is growling and really

So is this a GSD just doing it's location protection, herding (I know, sounds ridicuolous, herding bumble bees), or is my Jasper a few fries short of a happy meal (or maybe just having fun).

LOL, it's really funny, but he is dead serious, and totally focused on catching the Bumble

He also gets a ton of exercise, and play, along with mental stimulation

Does anyone have an answer to this

Thanks, Happy 4th as well

 

[moei]

Originally Posted By: Jasper007a few fries short of a happy meal (or maybe just having fun).

You really have a way with words!!

Don't know the answer to Jasper chasing Bumblebees, but I am sure he is having fun!

Happy 4th!

ha! ha! I cannot stop laughing ...

 

[LJsMom]

Lady Jane loves the chase and doesn't seem to care what it is she's running after!

 

[BlackGSD]

Siren likes to "chase" anything that moves too. That includes flies, bees, and moths. She actually was able to catch a moth that flew too close to her lips the other night.

Her sire has a real "thing" for bees also and likes to catch, and "chomp" them.

 

[SunCzarina]

Morgan catches bumble bees too. My kids scream BEE BEE and she's right there snatching it up. I used to try to stop her but the vet says they're good protein.

 

[pupresq]

This sounds like prey/hunt drive to me. Our boy does it too. I assume it's a similar behavior to dogs going crazy after those laser pointers but in this case it's a real thing they can catch.

The gender-type of protection thing you mentioned hasn't been our experience. Grace defends anyplace she's been more than about 20 minutes. Actually, she's much better about that now but back when she was younger and we'd go to events, I'd have to keep getting up and moving her around so she didn't set up a territory. But it's true that she also is very protective of our son and defensive of the home and car.

Leo readily alerts about threats to the house but that's it, so that part maybe fits.

Of course in our case, it could just be the division of labor they've set up - Leo takes care of invading bumblebees and Grace does everything else.

 

[girlmedic]

Not even an ant lives in our yard

 

[JasperLoki]

Originally Posted By: pupresqThis sounds like prey/hunt drive to me. Our boy does it too. I assume it's a similar behavior to dogs going crazy after those laser pointers but in this case it's a real thing they can catch.

The gender-type of protection thing you mentioned hasn't been our experience. Grace defends anyplace she's been more than about 20 minutes. Actually, she's much better about that now but back when she was younger and we'd go to events, I'd have to keep getting up and moving her around so she didn't set up a territory. But it's true that she also is very protective of our son and defensive of the home and car.

Leo readily alerts about threats to the house but that's it, so that part maybe fits.

Of course in our case, it could just be the division of labor they've set up - Leo takes care of invading bumblebees and Grace does everything else.

I tried the laser light one time, LOL, never again (just the clicking sound after putting the light away, made him respond, but he was wicked crazy after that light.

The gender protection thoughts, I wish I knew were I thought I saw that

Probably the biggest issue I have with Jasper is his ferocity in the car, I feel sorry for anyone who tries to hijack me, however I would like to get it under control abit better (he is crated in the back of my truck now, but when I had my Jeep, and not crated, he was just as protective (anyone has soluctions how to deal with this, feel free to suggest

-no shock devices please

(probably some focus work might help.

So for those who said your dogs do this, if you have an additional dog, do they go after the dog who goes after the bees (or whatever they are chasing?

Maybe I should re watch "Calming Signals", I believe there is mention about why dogs herd, besides the way they do it with sheep-been awhile since I saw it, maybe someone can add/fix what I am missing. (I think she says that dogs see "closeness" as dangerous.

I recommend "Calming signals"

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB788

Thanks for the responses, it's nice to know that Jasper is not alone

 

[IliamnasQuest]

I've had dogs that chase bees before - always thought it was a bit strange to chase something that had the ability to sting you in the mouth, but then again I'm allergic to bees so I completely avoid them when I can.

Keep benadryl on hand so if he gets stung and his face swells some you can pop the benadryl into him. I keep it in my dog first aid kit - I'm also allergic to benadryl so I don't keep it in my first aid stuff! (Found out I was allergic to benadryl when they tried to fix my bee sting allergy with benadryl - not much fun being given something you're allergic to when you're already having an allergic reaction).

If Jasper is a few fries short of a happy meal, then my bee-biting dogs are five beers short of a six-pack .. *L*

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[JasperLoki]

Originally Posted By: IliamnasQuestI've had dogs that chase bees before - always thought it was a bit strange to chase something that had the ability to sting you in the mouth, but then again I'm allergic to bees so I completely avoid them when I can.

Keep benadryl on hand so if he gets stung and his face swells some you can pop the benadryl into him. I keep it in my dog first aid kit - I'm also allergic to benadryl so I don't keep it in my first aid stuff! (Found out I was allergic to benadryl when they tried to fix my bee sting allergy with benadryl - not much fun being given something you're allergic to when you're already having an allergic reaction).

If Jasper is a few fries short of a happy meal, then my bee-biting dogs are five beers short of a six-pack .. *L*

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

Thanks Melanie for your post, very helpful , good to hear from you as well

How many mg's of Benadryl if he does get stung?

I keep an Epy pen with me, for I am extremely allergic to insect and bee, wasps, etc stings. Maybe Jasper is trying to collect my life insurance policy

and attract the bees to me

The last time I got stung was while walking Jasper, and we walked over a hornets nest by a golf course we were walking (I don't know how he didn't get stung.

I also think it's good to know I still have bee's in my back yard, considering how destructive man is with our enviroment

We have a ton of Honeysuckle, Jasmine and climbing roses, so they must attract the bees.

We also get a ton of Cardinals, Hummingbirds and

One day I had a hummingbird about 6 inches from my head, as I was wattering the flowers (seemed to enjoy the mist from the hose).

Thanks again Melanie

 

[SunCzarina]

Originally Posted By: Jasper007I am extremely allergic to insect and bee, wasps, etc stings. Maybe Jasper is trying to collect my life insurance policy

and attract the bees to me

Maybe he's trying to protect you from the bees? That's what I think Morgan does with the kids becuase for 3 summers, she never chased them, first summer my oldest goes outside to play, she's killing the bees.

 

[JasperLoki]

Originally Posted By: SunCzarina

Originally Posted By: Jasper007I am extremely allergic to insect and bee, wasps, etc stings. Maybe Jasper is trying to collect my life insurance policy

and attract the bees to me

Maybe he's trying to protect you from the bees? That's what I think Morgan does with the kids becuase for 3 summers, she never chased them, first summer my oldest goes outside to play, she's killing the bees.

Me

LOL, good point

 

[gretasgifttome]

Most all of my gsds catch bees. Don't know if they like them or hate them but it is definitely a priority when outside. I wonder if its inherent or learned. Because I foster, I have a steady flow of dogs through here and they all seem to catch on to the art of chomping flying insects. I personally don't like bees much and I don't have to worry about them when I have a dog with me outside.

 

[Ocean]

Originally Posted By: Jasper007
When he chases the bumble bees, he is in a very irritated and focused state of mind in regards to attempting to catch it

He is just as focused on catching it, as if it was a rabbit or stray cat in our yard, he wants to destroy it.

When he is in chase mode, he is growling and really

It's his Vitamin B.
Really. Seriously.
It's nothing more than normal prey drive.

 

[JasperLoki]

Originally Posted By: Ocean

Originally Posted By: Jasper007
When he chases the bumble bees, he is in a very irritated and focused state of mind in regards to attempting to catch it

He is just as focused on catching it, as if it was a rabbit or stray cat in our yard, he wants to destroy it.

When he is in chase mode, he is growling and really

It's his Vitamin B.
Really. Seriously.
It's nothing more than normal prey drive.

LOL, it's a really funny prey drive, just fun to watch.

 

[shadow mum]

My Smokey did this, but we discovered the hard way that he was allergic to bee stings. One got him and most of the fur on his head fell out. Luckily some topical steroids fixed him right up, but our picnics were never the same!!! If a bee/wasp came near, hubby and I fell over each other to chase them away from Smokey. What a sight that must have been for the neighbors.

Shadow tries, but as a clumsy teenager, hasn't had too much success so far!

 

[mjbgsd]

Quote: I tried the laser light one time, LOL, never again (just the clicking sound after putting the light away, made him respond, but he was wicked crazy after that light.

Oh my gosh, my dog Cody goes complete BONKERS with that. The sound just makes him go nutz. For laughs, we point at the ceiling and he's there staring at it for long minutes...

 

[doggiedad]

i've never had a female Shep. my boys were protective of family and property. one of my Sheps was very protective of our cats and chickens. when people played with the cats he would sit very close to them and look at them as if to say "if one hair falls off the cat while you're petting him i'm going to German Shepherd you". i used to tell people don't play with the children, the cats or the chickens. when our Shep is in the back yard he does the same thing your dog does except i don't think he wants to destroy things. he wants to play with them. now our Grey Hound, if it's on the ground it's dead. i love that saying "a few fries short of a happy meal", that's funny. also, my Shep an import from working lines.

 

[bmass01]

Yup, Dallas does the bee thing. In fact, he was chasing one last night while I was cooking the next thing I saw was him rubbing his face in the grass

... silly dog.

As far as the car thing. Dallas goes crazy at anyone who looks his direction. I praise him immediately with a "good no bark" if we happen to make it past someone without a bark whether we are stopped or moving. Helps a little.

 

[DHau]

My dog also chases butterflies, birds, bees and flies. It must be normal because most other dogs do it too. I was wondering though if it's just a puppy thing or dogs of all ages do this?