How to Keep Dogs Away From Chipmunks

Dogs are closely related to wolves, coyotes and other carnivorous canids. Consequently, they're hard-wired to chase after wildlife. Animals such as chipmunks are especially appealing to dogs because chasing them is fun. They run quickly, dart around trees and can provide a dog with several minutes of amusement. But chasing chipmunks is not just dangerous to the chipmunks, it also places your dog at risk of being bitten and developing illnesses carried by chipmunks. With careful training and planning, you can keep your dog away from chipmunks.

  1. Keeping Chipmunks Away

    • Keeping chipmunks out of your yard in the first place is one of the simplest ways to keep your dog away from them. Eliminate wood piles, thick brush and other dark piles of rubbish that could serve as chipmunk nesting locations. Place a mechanical owl in a prominent location in your backyard. These wildlife deterrents, available at most home supply stores, can scare chipmunks away from your yard without harming them. Place castor oil or garlic in locations where you frequently see chipmunks. These substances repel chipmunks without poisoning them.

    Exercise

    • Many dogs chase chipmunks simply because it's fun. This kind of play provides the dog an outlet it doesn't often get elsewhere. Give your dog a lot of exercise and it will be less likely to chase every moving object. Dogs need, at minimum, 30 minutes of exercise a day, and running around in the backyard usually isn't sufficient. Take your dog for long walks, throw balls and Frisbees and engage your dog's mind by teaching it new tricks.

    Training

    • Although it can be difficult, it's possible to train your dog to ignore chipmunks. Take your dog to an area where there are likely to be chipmunks and keep it on a leash. When you see a chipmunk, say your dog's name and give it one of its favorite treats. Repeat this activity five to 10 times each day. After a week or so, begin giving your dog a treat only if it does not attempt to chase the chipmunk, and then progress to giving your dog a treat only when it does not look at the chipmunk. This helps your dog associate chipmunks with treats rather than with playtime and encourages your dog to seek your guidance when it sees a wild animal.

    Activities to Avoid

    • Games that encourage predatory behavior can encourage your dog to chase chipmunks. Don't play chase games with your dog, and avoid playing tug of war if your dog is especially interested in wild animals. These games encourage your dog to chase and guard objects, which can encourage it to kill wild animals.