Runaway Cocker!

jessjc

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6 January 2012
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Chaddleworth, Berkshire (Wantage/Newbury)
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Hello,

My 18 month old golden cocker spaniel, Gilbert, is very excitable on walks. We are lucky enough for the dogs to be able to run off the lead straight into fields on our doorstep. Gilbert is very good at coming back to his name when he is close enough, but we are finding it difficult to keep him within a sensible range, without having to call him back every minute when he gets to the edge of a good range.

I have tried calling him back consistently and rewarding him when he comes back, but it is very difficult to teach him the sort of distance away from us he is allowed to go, and that he should stay within this without us having to call him back all the time. Any ideas of how we can do this?

The other thing is that when he does go out of range, he often sneaks off and runs away into the woods - even if just previously I have been calling him back at close range successfully.

It is so frustrating - he's lovely and well behaved when he is close by, but you have to constantly concentrate on exactly where he is, to call him back so he doesn't go running off, or find something interesting to chase. When friends are with us, it's impossible, as we can't go on a nice relaxing walk with the dogs without, either calling him back all the time, or losing him.

If you have any suggestions, I would love your help!

I do take him to puppy training, but they don't seem to understand my problem.

Thank you (in advance)!
 
Your could try training him to a whistle, hand feed him (if he is food orientated), keep him on a long line til you get it cracked.
Is he neutered? He might be off sniffing after the laydees if not.
You might look into working him and giving him an occupation so he doesn't feel inclined to go off and find his own fun :)
 
Oooooo ANOTHER spangle:D:D:D

There are a couple of things to consider...

1 We NEED a picture of the said reprobate:D
2 Is he a working type or show?
3 Is he neutered?
4 What do you feed him?

There are lots of people on here who can help with your lovely spangle and make him a half trained dog:D:D:D

Half trained is the best you can hope for with a spangle....;):D:D:D
 
My friends spaniel is horrendous for running off. She goes through stages of having good control and stages of having none what so ever. Her gundog trainer says that you literally need to keep them within 5 metres of you and just keep making them come back. After what seems like a lifetime they should just stay around you. Dont know if it works though. But definatly whistle train its so much easier than yelling!!
 
Tell me about it - our rehome working cocker picked up a scent yesterday and 'went deaf' I was panicking he'd get on road or I'd lose him in gardens when he came back! Went back on lead after that! Whistle training on cards as my throat is killing today
 
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