how to train my hyperactive lump of a dog. . .

S

shady_lady

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this was my wonderful cute little springle puppy fitch. . .

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he then grew into this. . .
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he is uncontrollable, v.v. strong, has no manners what so ever, and refuses to sit etc etc He is my first 'big dog' that i've had to train... any advice?

thanks i advance. . .
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Consistency and firmness!

I would invest in a good slip lead and begin focus training as a start.
When he looks up at you, reward with treat or ball or praise, whatever floats his boat.
When he zones out or ignores you, check him with a quick pull to the neck (ideally a slip should sit just behind the ears)
So - attention on you = awesome! Zoning out? Nothing but a pull on the neck.
When his attention is on you, everything else should come much more easily.
Spend even ten minutes a day doing nothing but trying to get him to look at you, you can use the command 'watch' or similar.
Lengthen the amount of time between treats/praise as he improves.
I would use chicken or cheese or something, never his normal food and not processed 'treats', unless they work particularly well
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Don't nag the dog to sit - I hear so many people, saying sit....sit....sit - he didn't sit the first time? Put him in it.
Pull the lead up high, hand on his bum, push him gently into a sit. Reward him after he has been placed in the sit. He'll get the idea.
What would you do if you were him (I ignored her the first time, she let me away with it, I will get away with ignoring her all the time)

Keep everything positive and upbeat (ie this training lark is FUUN! It is fun to sit and walk to heel!) But remember that you are in charge.
 
How old is he now?
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I would find some training classes and get him there asap - the longer he is 'in charge' the harder it is going to be. Once you have established the basics - really won't take long you just need to persist with the homework - you might look at doing some agility classes with him. The Springer in him will need lots of activity both physical and mental to occupy him
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Training classes quick
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Henry came to me at 18months old with little training and it has not been easy but we are getting there.

I find it best to swap treats regularly or Henry gets bored with the same ones over and over again. Currrently we are on tripe sticks (yuck), we moved on form choc drops, via gravy bones, dried liver and dried chicken, then we will start all over again.

Find out what he really wants to do and use that - does he love to chase and sniff things out? Get a toy and teach him to find and retrieve it out on walks by chucking it inot the undergrowth (not an expensive toy
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) Teach recall by running away and hiding so he has to hunt you down. You just need to make sure that you are the source of fun and yumminess
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Good luck, I think you'll need it!
 
That is the best time to train them - get him to a class asap - my cocker went to classes at that age - had basic manners but 8 weeks of classes just made him better and gave us stuff to work on. Sweep is food motivated and ever since the classes has done sit and stay off the lead pretty much anywhere - the only thing I never fully mastered with him was walking to heal - but as he only goes on the lead once in a blue moon its not the end of the world - walks to heel off the lead no problem!
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You need to engage his brain as well as burn off his excess energy.
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Ditto training classes then and agree with what others have said, I assumed he was still a baby.

I left my boy until he was a year old before I looked for help and it took us about six months to overcome our issues!
 
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Sweep is food motivated and ever since the classes has done sit and stay off the lead pretty much anywhere - the only thing I never fully mastered with him was walking to heal - but as he only goes on the lead once in a blue moon its not the end of the world - walks to heel off the lead no problem!
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Henry is just the same, aren't they funny things?

Classes were a huge help for Henry even though I don't go any more - just gave us a start. He now comes back almost all the time, sits (though that is getting worse, need a refresher I think), downs, heels off lead and sits and waits more or less anywhere. When I first had him, he knew nothing, so it can be done!

Don't forget your baby puppy is gone - what you have there is a spotty, hormonal teenager who wants to paint his bedroom black and sit up all night listening to very loud, very bad music and messaging girls on MSN
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Don't be disheartened. As others have said take yourself along to a good dog training class, they will teach you how to teach him. Dogs like Springers are high energy people, they need lots of long walks, there is no point trying to get him to concentrate on some obedience work if he is busting a gut for a run. I would also look at what you feed him, because some dog foods are so high in protein that they make them bounce off the walls. Finally if he still has his charlies, you might think about removing them, it can make some dogs settle.
 
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Don't forget your baby puppy is gone - what you have there is a spotty, hormonal teenager who wants to paint his bedroom black and sit up all night listening to very loud, very bad music and messaging girls on MSN
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PMSL so true!
 
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Don't forget your baby puppy is gone - what you have there is a spotty, hormonal teenager who wants to paint his bedroom black and sit up all night listening to very loud, very bad music and messaging girls on MSN
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sighs..... tis what you expect when you buy a spaniel really
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Oi you, behave!

And I agree about the exercise thing - I try to give my boy at least 30-45 of a run before training to take the 'edge' off him.

An understimulated dog can become hyper and naughty - B has improved infinitely with lots of varied walks, running, playing fetch, hide and seek and 'find the toy' - he loves his agility too. Brain needs exercised as well as body.

Gawd, I am all dribs and drabs today
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Oooh yes - and also don't feed him just before you train him - then he will be a bit hungry and even more interested in food!
 
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Don't forget your baby puppy is gone - what you have there is a spotty, hormonal teenager who wants to paint his bedroom black and sit up all night listening to very loud, very bad music and messaging girls on MSN
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sighs..... tis what you expect when you buy a spaniel really
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Too true
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Bit late to this, but can only echo the advice given above. Particularly the teenager bit, I have a 15 month old who definitely fits the bill. Its hard work but very rewarding when your dog actually starts responding to you. And did I see a veiled dig at my confession to my choice of treats CC
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Slightly o/t, I think Evie is a convert to the spangle fan club, we were looking after a friends 12 week old cocker yesterday, Evie was desperate to play but had to keep her on lead as her idea of playing is to bat with a paw, nibble as if eating a melon and then roll on your playmate
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She uses this technique on the cats and they seem to survive but didn't want to squish neighbours new pup . Hopefully pics will follow at some point, but on daughters camera at the moment.
 
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That is Henry's technique down to a tee, are you sure she isn't a very odd-looking spangle
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nope he's definatley a springle (springer spaniel x beagle)
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Perhaps it is just me, but every time I look at that first pic of her as a puppy it reminds me of Wednesday from the Addams Family
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That look which is all sweetness and light, but you just know they can be doing bad things as soon as your back is turned
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What a sweetie she is though
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Springer X Beagle
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Good Luck
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It is going to take a LOT to exhaust him, Otto is tired after 3 hours non-stop running, but is ready to go again after 10 minutes rest, so you're goig to be out all day
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Be prepared the Food and Treats may not be the way forward with him, Otto is a very hunting orientated dog, it's all that really makes him tick, so to get to do it he has to do it my way.

Nothing really to add to what anyone else has said, but again, good luck
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