FAILURE OF LICL-CONDITIONED TASTE-AVERSION TO PREVENT DOGS FROM ATTACKING SHEEP

Two Alaskan Husky dogs were used in a pilot study to examine the feasi bility of LiCl-conditioned taste aversion as a method to prevent dogs from attacking livestock. The salt LiCl induces vomiting and diarrhoea , but is also an antidepressive drug. The dogs were fed LiCl-treated s heep baits at doses of 1-4 g LiCl per 250-900 g bait. A 4 g amount of LiCl in 500 g bait established a strong aversion against sheep meat in both dogs, Nevertheless, both dogs continued to attack sheep with an intensity even greater to that observed prior to LiCl treatment. Tempo rary side effects of the LiCl treatment included pronounced aggressive ness between the two dogs at feeding time, muscle stiffness and poor m otor coordination. These results indicate that the method of LiCl-cond itioned taste aversion to prevent dogs attacking sheep failed, (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science B.V.