Hawk Attacking Dog

[Josh]

In the fall of 07 i plan on taking a male redtail, and wish to go after squirrels. I was wondering if my parents 3 Lhasa apsos(aka a very small rabbit looking dog) will have problems with the red tail. i do plan on introducing them early to each other during manning and all. but as for that i dont plan on them seeing each other. i plan on flying the bird away from my home in some near by woods.
As long as i introduce the bird and dogs early in development will that eliminate the chance of an attack. also on the rare occasion and hopefully it wont happen, that my dog would get hit, does the bird do allot of damage or could it be a hit and let go.

In the future i would like to fly a Gos being the grouse population is so large, is that a bad idea being a Gos is more opted to attacking a dog?

Thank you, i have been wondering this for some time, and it has caused me to think about taking a kestrel instead, any advise would be great.

[rt]

I had a redtail that would hit dogs, and she was introduced to them at day 1, I fed her around the dogs I even housed her next to dogs she saw them every day but when we would go out hunting she would fly straight for a dog ever time and bind to its muzzle, as far as damage goes the worst damage could be the loss of a eye, its possible for a artery to be severed but the lost eye is your biggest danger, kinda like a bad imprint gos binding to you. The solution is simple keep the dogs up away from the bird if it becomes aggressive to dogs, some redtails don't behave like that some do, I have found if they attack the dog one time they usually will repeat dog aggression again in the future. Its hard to control this behavior because its so hard to identify the root of it. The bird could be territorial or it could view the dog as robbing its meal, it can also develop from lack of game the bird blames the dog and so it takes out its frustrations. My redtail went after a fox her first year she stooped on it but didn't connect I don't know if she saw the flash of fur in the thicket and thought lunch or if it was to chase it off her turf. I have heard of other redtails catching foxes so maybe some redtails view them as food? I wouldn't worry about it just keep her away from the Lhasa Aposos and you will be fine.

[raptrlvr]

Where are you located that the grouse population is so large? The dogs will learn quickly to stay away from the hawk. The kind of dog you are talking about is not a hunting dog, so, there is no reason for them to be close to the hawk. The hawk will be in its mews when it is at home and if it is outside, it will be tethered to a perch.

[dirthawker]

most every dog that is around the birds will get hit at least once. that teaches the dog to stay away from the bird. both of mine have been hit and know real damage was done but you still have to watch them to make sure it doesn't get out of hand

[Josh]

I am curently living in upstate NY and on a daily baisis i see between 5-10 grouse on my road alone, not to mention all the morning (car starters) as i like to refer to as it all.

For my dogs, i talked with my sponser and he said that there might be a risk of contact, but he said that usually the dogs will be intimidated by the bird and will stay away from it, which in turn will show the bird that there is respect between bird and dog. hopefully this all works out.

but i still havent fully decieded weather to get a male red tail or a kestrel yet,
at least i still have a while to deciede,

on the brighter note, i had my mews inspected today and passed by provisional approval, i currently have tarp covering the top of my weathering area, and the state dec said that although it is roofed, it needs wire over the top of the tarp
although it was provissional approval it atleast still passed

Thanks for info on how to keep the dogs safe.

[jfneumann57]

The intimidated thing I think might be a concern. Aerial goes after anything that moves so if the little dogs run from your bird while it's free flying it might be just as bad. I'd just introduce them around the house in hopes the bird won't kill one when you turn ur back while it's tethered. Other than that leave the dogs at home.

[Falcon Boy]

It's perfectly fine to fly over dogs as long as they are properly introduced. If properly introduced I see no reason why you cannot fly over dogs. Granted, i would not fly over a lahpsa aspsa as it will most likely look like running lure to the bird.

[Beastdawg]

If your dogs go near your bird your bird will foot it. that is what my bird did and my big old alaskan malamute was scared of my bird from then on.

[pheasantplucker]

C:\Documents and Settings\linda\My Documents\My Pictures\gl02.jpg

Photo of a female Fox/Roe deer hunting Golden flown with a free running German Wirehaired Pointer.

Even my male Golden at home ignores our three small dogs in the garden as hes been habituated since 5weeks old to them and was flown at quarry daily in the season.

***Falcon Boy i'll e mail you the pic as it wont post***

[Falcon Boy]

sounds good, my email is [e-mail]

[Falcon Boy]

pheasentplucker emailed me this picture to post