Dogs have got on my nerves today... advice?

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Starbucks

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We take the dogs on this really nice walk, it's in a big wood, no roads or anything and for some reason they love it and run round like loons - even more than usual! I think there is quite a lot of wildlife in there!

It's ok when we walking but we have to recall them quite a lot. I've started running with them and it's friggin annoying because I have to keep stopping and calling them every five minutes!!
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It's not like they are being naughty, but they could easily get lost if I didn't keep stopping/calling them.

How can I get them to take a bit more notice of where I am so they don't get lost? They haven't actually yet but I've seen Star dart the wrong way down the path looking for me.

Please no comments about "your dogs are so out of control!!", they don't bother anyone and are at no risk to themselves or others (well maybe a rabbit!).
 
If they're looking for you when going the wrong way then they'll soon workout you're not there and get a bit worried.

I wouldn't stop to call them, but I would alert them to a change in practice - so maybe take a whistle and blow it if you are about to head off in a different direction. Then go and don't look back......

I would assume that they behave the way they do because they are sure they know where you'll be...........if you're not there they may get worried and never let you out of their sight again...........
 
Well getting to the end when I was getting a bit peed off, I got them both back and told them "stay with me!!" which they know for when sheep are around and stuff.

Star did but Alf buggered off again after 30 seconds.
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We were near the end of the wood bit and at the end you go up a big playing feild so I left him! I thought I'd have to go back to find him but he came running up the field looking very tired after a while.
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Well I thought he was tired but by this time Star had found a stick so they had a big chase round after all that!! I wish I had as much energy!!

I'll try just leaving them. Nothing can happen to them as there are no roads or anything. Whistle would be good then at least they would be able to here me form a long way away.
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To be honest with you, the answer is do more walking and running!!!!! You are possibly being a tad unrtealistic in my opinion to expect any dog, on what sounds like a fabulous walk, to obey your every command! I sure as hell wouldn't if I was a dog! Chase rabbits (which I am a huge advocate of!) or run in a line with you ignoring all that fun and nice smells???? If you go out more they 'may' pay more attention to you. I am not saying you are bad or don't walk your dogs etc. Quite the opposite! I think your are a good owner as get out there with your dogs and the testimony is that they seem to be having a fabulous time! The only other alternative is walk the dogs then go out for a run! Twice the exercise! Our wolfhound went out for between 3 and 6 hours daily and until the day he died would run off chasing 'what not' for 20 mins plus. He never ever got lost and we found that a really good two tone (don't knock it until you have tried it!) realistic wolf howl brought him (and for some reason every other dog in the area) back immediately. It has to be two tone and as realistic as you can make it! Dogs will be dogs !!!!
Best of luck!
 
Walking dogs in a wood and expecting them to stay with you would be a bit like taking me into a cake shop and asking me not to look at the cakes! I know the circumstances are different but a friend has a blind dog and she wears bells like the ones off cat collars safety pinned to her leg so the dog always knows where she is. Might that work? I know what you mean about going off in the wrong direction. They always return to the place they saw you last and if you've moved on............but if they associated you with the noise of bells maybe?
 
Maybe they'll just have to get on my nerves then.. little buggers!
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I think they would probably like more walking but I do as much I as can. If it was up to them they'd be out all day every day!
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Thanks!
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Please put bells on your legs!! I want to see you dressed as a moris dancer!!! HEHE!!

oneofthepack (I am not taking the pee at you) but was the first vision that came in my head of starbuck running dressed like a moris dancer!!

My old dog is a pain for sniffing, when she was young I took her up my lane which is about a mile long & 5' high walls either side.

She use to run off sniffing, so one day I hoped over the wall & got past her, then jumped back into the lane ahead of her out of sight.

I think (from the state of her) she went back for me, I was not there so she went to the end & then came full pelt back the other way till she found me!!

Since then she will not let me out of her sight, she always checks in to see where I am & keeps up!!
 
lol, that did cross my mind about the bells!!
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There are other people who use this wood!
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It would be good for them to have a bit of a fright. They could still have plenty of fun, I don't even expect them to keep me in their sight just to think a bit more where I am!

We go the same walk everytime so I don't think they would get totally lost, I might just carry on and see what they do tonight.
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oneofthepack (I am not taking the pee at you) but was the first vision that came in my head of starbuck running dressed like a moris dancer!!


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No offence taken
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It does look daft, and it would get right up my nose jangling like that but it worked a treat
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my advice would be to stop being so hard on them, thier only dogs not children. secondly just keep a gentle tone of voice with them and be patient they will learn.
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When we walk Otto we say "this way", means he comes with us without having to do a perfect recall all the time and we don't have to stop. He has picked it up brilliantly.
Everytime we pass him, or he headsthe wrong direction we just call "This Way" and he comes galloping past
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I just tell Beastie 'see you later!' and she alwayd comes running back
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Tina is more difficult, bless her, her hearing is going and if she loses sight of you she panics and you have to try and get the attention of her single eye.
 
Aww, poor old lass.

I just left them too it today and they managed not to get lost so I'll let them do what they want from now on!
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