Dogs being ridiculous

[Clarkie]

Recently my two spaniels have been taking the pee re: running off. When we're out on walks they run ahead for miles. They need to run, so don't want them on a lead all the time. I've tried food as a reward and they don't care. help???

 

[soloabe]

I think you need to keep them on the lead for a while for their own safety while you get their recall 100%.

Get some long lines and work with the individually.

Don't feed them before a walk so that they are more interested in food and don't give them a treat before you have your hand in their collar.

 

[Clarkie]

When they're out on a walk they do not care at all abut food. Have tried them on lunge lines but I think when they smell rabbits there's no reasoning with them! When I eventually get them back it's so hard not to be angry!!!

 

[CAYLA]

It's a little harder working on 2 together, can u possibly walk them seperately and see if one is leading the other astray more

Lunge line work takes time and patience......a week is no good for instance....u have got to keep them on for aslong as it takes, 6 weeks if need be......and use a treat you would never normally use chicken breast/strong smelling tasty meat, or a squeeky toy and maybe introduce a whistle.
Yo need to call dogs name.....if no response reel the line in until dog is back take hold of collar and dish out the chicken/hot dog whatever you choose..........or squeek a toy if that would get attention better and call dogs name, when they begin to respond, whistle after u call, treat then let them wonder to the end of the line..... u will be suprised how they will respond in a one on one when the free roaming is taken away.

One thing is for sure if u carry on as you are the problem will get worse.
I suggest u lead walk them together and train them apart....patience is the key.........I kept a dobi on the long line for 3 months until I was satisfied she was ready,(was not mine either, I was training her for someone else) I would not comprimise the training by giving in.......it jsut means longer lead walks to get the extra exercise inbetween time.........the dobi now has 100% recall.

Ps when off chasing rabbits and having fun, u are of no interest when that is taken away there is little other option you will be suprised, you have to atleast give it a good go.
The whislt will be your cue and positive assosiater once u begin to trial off lead again.

 

[soloabe]

So if thats the case i wouldn't be letting them off the lead until you can sort something to make their recall 100%.

Not only is it a danger for them its not always nice when other people are out with their dogs.

 

[Clarkie]

I know exactly that it's my little girl leading the boy astray! He used to be so good until I got her for company. Will take them out separately and work hardert on recall but I know when they get back together it'll be fun and games again! When I eventually got them back yesterday I could have cried I was so angry, but I don't dare tell them off because they did come back in the end. I need Cesar Milan!!!

 

[CAYLA]

Then work harder with her and spend some quality lone time with him......but be patient....the long line can take a good bit of time.....don't become impatient to soon, the longer the better......and like I said u would be suprised how much interest they will pay to the training aid in a one to one and it does work when they are let off once again, it's introducing a routine and positive assosiation....rather than u screaming like a banchee

which they don't give 2 sh!ts about

 

[CAYLA]

[ QUOTE ]
I know exactly that it's my little girl leading the boy astray! He used to be so good until I got her for company. Will take them out separately and work hardert on recall but I know when they get back together it'll be fun and games again! When I eventually got them back yesterday I could have cried I was so angry, but I don't dare tell them off because they did come back in the end. I need Cesar Milan!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I have never seen him tackle recall

he did once lose someones dog and it escaped from his center

All the same I do hail caesar

 

[Clarkie]

I tend to treat my dogs as equals - children maybe and I hate to discipline. I know I have to but I don't know how too/how much??

 

[CAYLA]

you can baby them all u like but u do need some respect in return.......if you are not getting it....it's a one way thing

u need to toughen up a little......set some boundaries wherever you feel u need to most..be it indoors or out

If they pul on the lead maybe some halti's for them until u get the recall under control to help u control them a little easier and make life a little easier on yourself and your arms.
Not that u mentioned pulling....but just incase they are whilst u are going to be working with hem and keeping them on the lead for the time being.

 

[Clarkie]

Yes the boy does pull and I had a gentle leader - similar to a halti - for him.
I just don't want to hit them, and wonder what punishment is acceptable.
P. S. I'm not a numpty, just that big boy has been fab until now so never had to punish him at all, and he is a rescue so don't want to bring up old issues.

 

[Booboos]

Ditto what everyone else has said, this problem takes time and patience to resolve and you will need to work with them individually.

What happens if you keep one on the lead and only let the other off? This may give the one off the lead a better incentive to come back and you can alternate who is on the lead.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Ditto, it can take months and months. I. like Cayla, did lots of work on the lunge and mine are loads better than they used to be.
You do right not to get angry when they finally return, like you say, this will not encourage them to come back.

I've tried Booboos idea with one dog on, one dog off and it can work well.

Clarkie, just because dogs are rescues, doesn't mean they can't take behaviour-appropriate discipline, it's a mistake a lot of people make.
No one is saying hit him, you can use your voice, you can use the lead to check him, you can use ignorance of bad behaviour.

You need to teach your dogs that all good things come from you, start in the home, move to the garden and eventually outside.

They are not interested in food because they have full tummies already. If you think hand feeding might work, where all food comes from YOU, your person, not out of a bowl, I can explain that if you like.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Ah, need to read threads properly, Katie has mentioned food too

 

[puddleshark]

Dogs do tend to get 'packish' when they are running free together, so I would agree with the advice above about only having one dog off the lead at a time. I have found that using a whistle helps (if they are ignoring your current signal, change it for another one, then work on recall in an enclosed environment, giving high-value treats - sausage or chicken - when the dog returns and extra treats for a prompt return. If you can get the dogs racing back to the whistle to be the first one to get the treat, even better!)

Anyone thinking of attending Cesar Millan's coming UK tour should first read the press statement issued jointly by The Dog's Trust, RSPCA, Kennel Club, Blue Cross, etc. See:

www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/press-statement

 

[Spudlet]

QR
Hey, welcome to my world

Just before Christmas my spaniels recall was driving me to despair as these guys will tell you!

I would add to the excellent advice that you have had here - if they want to hunt, use that as a reward. Get them hunting around you, so that they will see you as part of the game rather than a party pooper!

You may also wish to utilise the hot chicken trick

Get a couple of the hot roast chickens they do at the supermarket and strip all the meat and skin off the bones, and put it in a bag.

DO NOT feed your dog that morning - make sure they are hungry pups.

When you recall them, give them a HUGE lump of chicken, just drop it on the floor, and then let them run again (obviously you need to be in a safe place for this trick).

On the last time, give them a handful while you slip the lead on.

Keep a bit aside and give it to them when you get back to the car.

Repeat as needed

Worked for Henry - in conjunction with teaching him that hunting near to me was a really good thing and that I am really pleased and happy when he does it - yes you will spend and inordinate amount of time in hedges and so on, but you will have a better recall for it

You may wish to seek out a good gundog trainer to help channel their instincts, look for one that works with spaniels and my advice would also be to look for one that uses modern methods as you will get some that are a bit old fashioned.