Ok you clever peeps--help please (sorry-long)

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Goya

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Well Skye strikes again!
Went for a walk along the disused railway line--been there hundreds of times before. There is a Gravel pit to the right, behind hedgrows and a small copse, but at one point there is a track to the right where there is access to the gravel pit water. Skye has, in the past run off and dived in after the birds on the water, but I have obviously learned and can control her away from this now so it isn't a problem.
Now comes todays antics!
On the left hand side there is a field with a small (ish) lake. Never been any problem.
That is until today.
We'd had a lovely walk along the railway line and were just nearly back to the car when the little horror (Skye that is) shot off through the gate into the field and to the lake. ran right round to the other side, barking at the birds.
I put the other 2 in the car and went after her.
It was like something from Keystone Cops! As I went one side of the lake she went the other. Barking, leaping about, going in and out of the water.No amount of calling, titbits, balls would get the monkey back. After about 20 minutes she eventually seemed to realise I was there and came back.
Now here's where I need the help.
How can I stop the little blighter chasing the birds? Always on our walks I have titbits and a ball and I call her back at frequent(ish) intervals, tell her she is a good girl, then let her play again. She has become brilliant at this. However when I called her back as I spotted the signs that she was going to p***off she totally ignored me and just went.
Any ideas?
Thanks for reading.
 
Goya said:
Well Skye strikes again!
Went for a walk along the disused railway line--been there hundreds of times before. There is a Gravel pit to the right, behind hedgrows and a small copse, but at one point there is a track to the right where there is access to the gravel pit water. Skye has, in the past run off and dived in after the birds on the water, but I have obviously learned and can control her away from this now so it isn't a problem.
Now comes todays antics!
On the left hand side there is a field with a small (ish) lake. Never been any problem.
That is until today.
We'd had a lovely walk along the railway line and were just nearly back to the car when the little horror (Skye that is) shot off through the gate into the field and to the lake. ran right round to the other side, barking at the birds.
I put the other 2 in the car and went after her.
It was like something from Keystone Cops! As I went one side of the lake she went the other. Barking, leaping about, going in and out of the water.No amount of calling, titbits, balls would get the monkey back. After about 20 minutes she eventually seemed to realise I was there and came back.
Now here's where I need the help.
How can I stop the little blighter chasing the birds? Always on our walks I have titbits and a ball and I call her back at frequent(ish) intervals, tell her she is a good girl, then let her play again. She has become brilliant at this. However when I called her back as I spotted the signs that she was going to p***off she totally ignored me and just went.
Any ideas?
Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

Is the railway line active? Are there roads nearby? I'm not sure how many others would advocate this, but I remember reading in Jan Fennell's book that she drove off down a lane when a particularly stubborn German Shepherd of hers wouldn't come when called. I can't say I've gone that far, but I have--in a safe woodland environment--bid both my dogs goodbye and walked off. Stella is good 99% of the time, but she will every blue moon stare me down a while, turn her back, and walk in the other direction. She's eight-years-old, opinionated, and I've found that when the squeaky ball/treats don't work, this method is a good fall back.

If you don't mind making a complete knob of yourself, fall to the ground in a heap, scream, and pretend you're about to die. I've heard this works wonders. Or you could be really conventional and go back to a long line/treats/clicker :D
 
It is a disused railway line, well away from roads. the only road is the dead end tiny lane for access. I did in effect walk away from her when I put the other 2 in the car. She was so far into her bird chasing that she didn't even notice.
And I inadvertantly did fall down. Tripped up when I was trying to get round the lake. Swore madly and cursed her like you have never heard (and nobody did hear as there was no one about.
Wish there had of been as they could have gone one way while I went the other.
It did actually frighten me a bit as I thought she wasn't going to come back at one point.
She did something similar a few weeks ago in a large park when she chased some birds which were on the ground, then she chased them when they flew off.
I really don't want to resort back to the long line, but my head says I must I suppose.
 
Honestly, in the nicest possible way, if I couldn't trust the dog in an area that isn't enclosed, I would just keep it on a long line, it's what I do with my fella and I wouldn't call him hard done by in the least. We do lots of hiking, training, we bike, he gets lots of galloping in enclosed fields.
(I'm saying in my circumstances, there are too many harmful variables in terms of roads, livestock, trigger-happy farmers etc, joggers and walkers who do not want a big GSD charging up to them - it's up to you in terms of weighing up the risk)
 
Unfortunately the long line is your only realistic option. It's a nuissance to do but it does work well and if you keep it up for a while (may have to be a few months) you may find that you can break her running away habit.
 
The little minx only runs away when she spots some birds.
What I need is some help with "leave the darned Birds alone" training me thinks.
I'm sure there must be something I can work on. Yesterday as I was taking her back to the car I took her to the edge of the lake and let her look at the birds then said "leave" very sternly and pulled her away. Would this be the correct way to go?
Obviously until I have sorted this I will have her on the long line when in places where she might b***** off.
 
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