Can Dogs Help with Mice?

Dogs are territorial, loyal, and have an incredibly good sense of smell, all traits that make them great for ridding your house of pesky mice.

While most dogs will probably react in some manner to a mouse infestation, there are specific breeds that are better mousers than others. In fact, many dogs were bred specifically for pest control. For example, Chihuahuas were thought to be bred to rid Mexico City of rat and mouse infestations. Other breeds that are considered 'mousers' include terriers, Dachshunds, and Papillon. However, just because your breed of dog wasn't named doesn't mean Fido won't be able to keep the mice away! 

Have you ever noticed your dog seemingly stalking nothing in the kitchen? When you think your dog is acting weird and maybe even going a little crazy, there's a good chance they've picked up on something you haven't. Dogs have an incredibly good sense of smell, upwards of 40 times better than humans! They have more than 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose, which is why they are so good at sensing other animals and pests. 

Some people have also had success in training their dog to help control a mouse problem, but this is a little more difficult. If a dog doesn't naturally jump at the chance to catch a mouse, they may just not be cut out for the job. But don't be discouraged, with a little patience and a whole lot of training, you may be able to train your dog to hunt for Fievel after all! 

There are many different types of terriers, including Rat Terriers - which says it all! From Mexico to Europe and everywhere in between, dogs have been helping homeowners clear the space of unwanted pests for a long time.

We've mentioned how incredible a dog's sense of smell is, but it is important to reiterate this point when talking about dogs sniffing out mice. Coupled with their impressive hearing ability, mice don't stand a chance in your home.

Some dogs are also built physically for the job. Being small and fast helps a lot when catching a rodent. While your Great Dane is very powerful - and once upon a time took down bears and boars - their large bodies are more of a hinderence when getting a mouse.

If you are thinking about training your dog to catch mice, you will need to start by familiarizing your dog with the pesky rodents. If possible, expose them to a live mouse that you've caught and let the dog sit in the same room as the caged mouse. 

Repeat this a few different times, making note of how your dog is reacting. Most dogs will be naturally curious and sniff around the mouse before making any moves, which is a good sign. From there, you should encourage and reinforce your dog to view the mouse as a pest