My dogs killed a bird

You have high prey drive dogs, and they really are following instincts. Gunner does the same, and while I don't appreciate dead animals, I can't blame him for doing what nature tells him. It's hard, but dogs will be dogs. You can supervise them, and work on learning leave it when they are outside, which may prevent more incidences. I'm sorry you had to go through this. I was very torn up the first time Gunner killed a bird as well.

I have two of the most gentle dogs in the world, but I can tell you, they would probably kill a bird if they had the chance. It's an instinct. I know it's hard, but my first dog killed a couple of bird and a squirrel. It was hard to deal with, but it's nature.

Same here. Colton and Maize are very gentle yet I have seen them gang up on a bird and kill it. I was so upset when it happened. I would expect this behavior from Raven but not my gentle babies. Unfortunaetly its going to happen and you'll get have to learn to live with it. Like Rachael said, maybe you can work on your "leave it" more outside now that you know they like birds.

It is a natural instinct for a dog, as hard of a fact as that is. Eddie's never gotten one. Of course, he chases, but I think his instincts just go to chase! No joke, my husband and I saw him playing w/ a doe (deer) in our front yard once, so I just don't think he has that killer instinct in him.

Speaking of Gunner, mom's human brother just adopted a 8 week old German Shorthair Pointer. He named her Bella and she will live in the mountains of North Carolina.
Even though there are no hunters in the family, I'm sure Bella will do her thing and catch birds. I know her dad will try to prevent her from doing that. Dogs will be dogs.
When mom had cats, it broke her heart whenever she found little critters at the back door. Cats will be cats.
By the way, Bella is beautiful
and GSP are great dogs.

They only killed one bird? Pshaw! I have several kills under my belt. Mom has to make daddy go throw away the carcasses then she brings me inside, washes my face and gives me a treat. (She says it's to get the taste of blood out of my mouth, but it feels like praise to me.)
-Your buddy, Max

Squirrel! Squirrel! Squirrel!

Squirrel?!?! Where?! Call the artillery! Notify the woodpecker! Tell the earthworms to be on the alert for voles! Charrrrrrge!

Don't feel too bad about your dogs. Our neighbor's cat used to kill birds and field mice. Molly would then go around to my patio and 'meow' until I opened the door for her. She'd walk through my house to the front door and wait for me to go out with her. Then I would find the dead bodies she had drug up my driveway. She'd stand there with this sinister smile on her face, look at the dead thing and then at me. I realized she was bringing me a 'gift'.

We love catching birds. We have alot of spruce trees in our yard and the birds really like to make nests in there. We get up in the trees and try to get those little chirpers!! Quite often we are successful. We also love to chase and catch squirrels if we can. Mom always hollers at us if she sees us doing this when she is home. It is just our instinct. Not much you can do about it. Hmmmm, now where are those little birdies at?

I've never had a dog with the prey drive Charlie has. To date he's killed three mice and caught a pigeon. Sheila doesn't seem to care a bit, but it just seems to be Charlie's nature. Luckily, he never seems interested in eating them, just killing them.

The first time I caught something I thought Mom was gonna have a heartattack! She was yelling "Drop it!" like a maniac. I had to shake it once or twice before dropping it. The chipmunk wasn't dead, just dazed and confused,it shook off the slobber, and ran off, much to my dismay and to my mom's relief. But Mom wasn't around to save the birds a couple of weeks later.

Your husband is right, they are just doing what they are programmed to do. And you are right, they should have listened when they told you to leave it. You can work on the Leave It, but you can't be there everytime they feel like stalking prey. And you can't beat yourself up over it. Besides, I've noticed that the birds sort of swoop away and the squirrels keep to the high branches when they see Carolina in the yard. As they should.

Thanks for the replies. I still feel bad for the poor bird who lost his friend but less bad knowing they arent the only ones out there who will kill a bird. I have since let them out without a leash. We will work on the "leave it" outside.

Hoover killed a bird at the beginning of spring. It was a robin, his first one... I can't be upset with him. He's a dog and that's what his instincts tell him to do. I don't want him to do it again, but he was so proud of that kill. You should have seen the look on his face! "Look what I did mom!"