Wild Goose Chase (WGC) is an environmental services company that helps properties manage nuisance bird issues through science-based, ecological solutions. Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we receive about our dog service for goose management.
What is dog service?
During our dog service, experienced WGC handlers and their trained border collies will visit your property to harass Canada geese and encourage them to leave. A typical dog service program includes multiple service visits per week at varying times. This routine harassment makes geese feel uncomfortable and makes your property unattractive for feeding, propagating and nesting.
What are the benefits of dog service for managing geese on my property?
Dog services are one of the most effective Canada goose harassment techniques. Because Canada geese perceive dogs as predators, flocks typically vacate any area where dogs are present. Border collies have been bred for hundreds of years to herd animals without harming them, making them ideal dogs for managing migratory and resident geese.
Is permitting required to use dog service?
No. While Canada geese are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 – which prevents the capture, injury or killing of migratory birds – permits are not required to harass nuisance geese on your property. Harassment is limited to tools and techniques that do not harm the targeted birds and therefore does not violate federal law.
Are there other harassment techniques used during dog service?
While the use of our dogs is WGC’s first approach, our handlers are trained to use other tools and techniques to supplement dog harassment, especially in circumstances or conditions where dogs cannot be used. Our handlers are equipped with:
- Handheld lasers: portable, silent and safe tools used to harass geese at great distances or from inaccessible areas (e.g., roofs)
- Remote-controlled boats: when geese congregate in large bodies of water
- Kayaks: when geese are in very large bodies of water
By combining these harassment techniques, WGC handlers can safely and effectively harass geese from your property.
How often will the dog & handler service my property?
As soon as a property contracts with WGC for a dog service, a handler is scheduled to visit your property – often the next business day. If the nuisance geese on your property are not used to being harassed, daily or multiple visits per day may be needed to convey to the geese that your property is no longer hospitable to them. These visits are intentionally scheduled at different times of day to ensure geese do not habituate to the dogs. Once harassment has been established, handlers may continue to visit your property daily or a few times per week; the program is designed to be adaptable, and WGC adjusts service visits depending upon the handler’s on-the-ground observations and your property’s weekly activity patterns.
Will the dog be off-leash?
WGC always prioritizes the safety and well-being of our customers, staff, animals and the public, and makes off-leash decisions on a case-by-case basis. For example, if your property is near roadways, has car or pedestrian traffic, or has rocky or difficult terrain, our handlers may decide to keep the dog on-leash. Nuisance geese will continue to move from dogs whether they are on or off-leash. Our handlers also abide by any applicable local leash laws.
Could we use our own dogs?
WGC does not recommend using personal pet dogs for goose harassment for an important reason: since Canada geese are federally protected, they may not be harmed by people (or their pets). WGC’s dogs undergo rigorous training and maintenance of their skills to guarantee they harass geese safely.
