re-training a Springer Spaniel (also on dogs sorry!)

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BigBird146

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Hi, I'm thinking of taking on my brothers springer bitch who's about 7 y.o. She's been trained as a gun dog at some point so does have some quite nice attributes, BUT (1) pulls like a train whilst on the lead which I would like to stop as its very waring (miserable actually) 2. She gets separation anxiety, but it doesn't seem as bad when she stays with us as we leave her with our other dog. However hes 12 and not going to last forever. 3. She turns into a bit of a loon when off her lead and just runs and runs and runs. She listens to you and comes back at first but then just switches off.
Firstly, do you think a dog of this age can be re-trained in these sort of things (don't really expect the separation anxiety to improve much but I can live with that). Secondly, can you recommend any good books.
She is a lovely intelligent little dog who unfortunatly has been a bit spoiled by her human's circumstances (1st one died, 2nd family moved to Australia so re-homed her with my brothers family). I could quite honestly do without anoher responsibilty but I fear if we couldn't have her the kindest thing would be to have her PTS as her stresses would just get worse still if she had to go to be rehomed.
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Could kick my brother but thats by the by!!
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YES you can retrain your dog...

Everything that has happend to your dog previously should now be forgotten and that is in the past. Dogs live for today and not in the past.. humans live in the past, there for if you treat your dog well and calmly and set down boundaries based on today and not what happend yesterday than you will and should have a happy balanced dog.. sounds silly i know.. if the dog was a horse.. ? you wouldnt put it down you would start from scratch and start again. forgetting everything that had previously had happend...

I get so frustrated when people give up on animals.. how many animals give up on you!

you are doing a good thing by taking onthis dog.. start with a clean slate and give this dog an opertunity in your life.

dont get anxious (sp?) etc when walking.. dont let it off the lead untill you are ready and it is ready to be part of your pack... if the dog needs a run.. use a lunge line.. lol works wonders. Practice recall and praise in the garden/ round the house.
 

I'm sure that with a lot of time she could be re-trained?

Our Springer is now 14, he has never walked well on a lead he still pulls like a train, but will walk happily off lead. To be fare he possibly didn't get enough training when he was younger, He's a running machine, he just runs & runs & runs, so much so that he wont stop to catch a breath, he some times gets disoriented his tongue goes blue & looks like he's drunk. If you stop him for a few mins he's fine again, he's been doing this since he was about 18 months old, we had all the vets checks done, there is nothing wrong! He has always been walked twice a day, even now at 14, I think looking back we should have taken up agility or some thing but its to late now. I think to a point its just the way Springer's are, they are working dogs & need a lot of stimulation. Having said that we have had a lot of dogs & I have to say he is by far my favourite of all the breeds we have had!
 
Thanks for the tips, would like to say I never have and never would get one of my animals pts because of behavioural 'issues', and I don't think my bro would, BUT I think it might be kinder than sticking her in a rehoming kennels where she may or may not get picked, then if the next owner 'can't deal' with her (IMO relatively minor) issues, she might end up back there? Doesn't bear thinking about!
They are having an animal psycologist to see her at the w/e as a last chance, but I honestly don't think they have the time or patience to work her problems through ( I am also v frustrated by him giving up but my main concern is the dog). I, on the other hand have SHMUCK written on my forhead, and she is really too sweet to let go! I do have other responsibilities though so her behaviour does need to improve, my main concern being can a dog of this age really change?
 
I think if you are prepared to put in the time and effort into this dog then yes you will be rewarded, but you have to be realistic in that it wont happen overnight.

Springers are bright intelligent dogs and need stimulation (what dog doesnt I hear you say?) but more so for Springers.

If you do take her on, take her to classes or do training at home and build a bond together.

Have a look at ADPT in your area and get some extra help if you need it.

There are loads of dog forums that you can ask for help on.

Good luck!
 
With regard to pulling on the lead - you could try a halti. i had one for my Rottie when he was younger and it was brill. He doesn't need it now.

Funny anecdote: my friend has a springer who was originally trained as a police drug sniffer dog. He was trained to sniff the drugs then sit by the smell and look at his handler. Unfortunately he didn't pass his training as he was a bit lacking in concentration. Anyway, when my friend goes to the school gate to collect her kids, sometimes the dog sits in front of a person and looks at my friend! She hasn't told them that he can smell drugs!
 
LOL, bet THAT's interesting, ha ha!!
Is a halty one of those things that you put their front legs thru? She has a choker at the minute and is quite happy to choke herself!!
She actually walks nicely to heal off her lead (but only if you keep saying heal every 10 seconds!) but I wouldn't dare walk her on the road like this as if she saw a cat or rabbit she'd be off!
They have improved some aspects of her behaviour but i think she is left on her own too much so when they are in she pesters them. With me she can run herself ragged in our field as much as she wants to while i do the horses and then sleep at my feet in the office all day!
 
i am reading these relpies with interest. My springer (8) also pulls like a train. I have a halti it does help a bit but she is still very strong. I also used to use a choke but i got concerned that she would strangle herself. She is awful to take for a walk as she barks at an large vehicles which drive by. You have to be ready for her going for them. I don't very often let her off the lead as she buggers off into the distance after a scent and then won't come back. She just goes completely deaf!!!
Good luck with this dog. Lots of determination and hard work i am sure you will get there.
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It just might take a while!!
 
I have had 2 Springer Spaniels. They have both been brilliant off the lead and rubbish on it. They have both been angels in dog training classes in the confines of a church hall, but show them an outdoor horizon and they have to run! That's just Springers for you, but they are intelligent dogs, and I have trained them to stay within range and come back when called by using treats when they were puppies.

As for lead situations, I know it is possible to have a Springer that walks nicely, but those I have known (not mine alas) have done a lot of walking on the lead and got used to it. All our walks are off lead and I haven't treated it as a priority. My dog hated the halti and would walk round the streets trying to remove it by rubbing her muzzle on the pavement.

When we are on holiday and have to walk round towns and villages, I find a bungee lead easier with a dog that is inclined to pull. The ezydog leads are good as they have a chunky handle and optional extension pieces. You may find them at your local pet store, or online.

http://www.ezydog.com/
 
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