THink i need help and Advice on my Lurcher

[FeeC]

I got a lurcher about 6 months ago and i love him to bits, but im fearing I can't give him what he needs.
He's a greyhound, collie, Bedlington cross. I'm 60 and i don't have a car to take him to field etc. He had been running in my back yard and going for walks a few times daily. Recently he jumped the back fence and I can't let him run out there anymore. He's really hyper round other dog and im finding hard to get him off lead as he just runs and jumps over people or other dogs. I'm worried as other dogs in my area are unpredictable. Well I suppose all dogs are. I'm in a suburban area. I don't want to get rid of him as he is my world.
Can anyone give me advice on how much exercise he needs a day and is walking him alot sustainable. My hearts breaking and im just working all the time about it.

 

[Albus15]

I have no experience with lurchers, but for my two high energy dogs I have found mental stimulation activities in the house work wonders! For example, feeding their meals from kongs, wrapping up treats in towels and tying them off so they have to 'undo' it to get it out, scattering a handful of treats/kibble across the lawn so they have to sniff and search for them..

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

To address the immediate problem, can you hire a dog walker to get him out walking a decent long walk per day. (Sorry, not sure how much is enough it may depend on age, build and type - i cant really picture what he looks like)

Then i'd suggest you need to sign yourselves up for some obedience classes and get some basics in place but also learn some new games so you can work him effectively in your back garden for additional mental exercise.

 

[Spot the Merry Risk]

With that breeding he’d be a brilliant agility dog! What plans do you have in place for teaching and entertaining him? Do you take him on public transport, if so is he learning to behave whilst there? Can you bus to a secure dog field? What puppy socialisation classes is he enrolled in? Do you practise recall on a long line? Do you have an always come to me right now word (my lurcher is food driven, if I shout ‘treat’ he will always arrive ASAP.

Mine is four and half now, and is less interested in zoomies but they do still happen every day or so. My husband describes him as socially inept - he would easily get himself in trouble.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Did you get him as a puppy or a re-home?

 

[ester]

With that breeding he’d be a brilliant agility dog! What plans do you have in place for teaching and entertaining him? Do you take him on public transport, if so is he learning to behave whilst there? Can you bus to a secure dog field? What puppy socialisation classes is he enrolled in? Do you practise recall on a long line? Do you have an always come to me right now word (my lurcher is food driven, if I shout ‘treat’ he will always arrive ASAP.

Mine is four and half now, and is less interested in zoomies but they do still happen every day or so. My husband describes him as socially inept - he would easily get himself in trouble.

Flyball too id imagine

 

[MissMay]

@I'm Dun has lurches I believe

 

[NR88]

You need to find a trainer. Your dog shouldn't be jumping up on people. He needs to learn to walk to heel on a lead, a recall and to sit calmly beside you.

There is no point in making him fitter so that he requires more and more exercise. Physical activity will rarely tire a lurcher, you have to stimulate them mentally.

He of course does require daily exercise but walking the legs off him is unlikely to do anything other than make him fitter.

There is lots that you can do at home. Basic obedience training, scentwork and, as suggested, feeding from toys that make him think.

Most mixes with collie in them require mental stimulation. There are a lot of books on the topic but if you can find a recommended trainer who can come to you, that would be best. They can see the dog, how you handle him, his current education level and what exercise he gets. They can then train you how to train him.

 

[FeeC]

Did you get him as a puppy or a re-home?

I got him when he was 3 months and he hadn't really been outside he didn't even know what birds was.

 

[FeeC]

I have no experience with lurchers, but for my two high energy dogs I have found mental stimulation activities in the house work wonders! For example, feeding their meals from kongs, wrapping up treats in towels and tying them off so they have to 'undo' it to get it out, scattering a handful of treats/kibble across the lawn so they have to sniff and search for them..

Thank you

 

[FeeC]

To address the immediate problem, can you hire a dog walker to get him out walking a decent long walk per day. (Sorry, not sure how much is enough it may depend on age, build and type - i cant really picture what he looks like)

Then i'd suggest you need to sign yourselves up for some obedience classes and get some basics in place but also learn some new games so you can work him effectively in your back garden for additional mental exercise.

I don't really have the money for these things. Been doing it myself

 

[ester]

Doing it yourself doesn’t seem to have worked though?

 

[FeeC]

With that breeding he’d be a brilliant agility dog! What plans do you have in place for teaching and entertaining him? Do you take him on public transport, if so is he learning to behave whilst there? Can you bus to a secure dog field? What puppy socialisation classes is he enrolled in? Do you practise recall on a long line? Do you have an always come to me right now word (my lurcher is food driven, if I shout ‘treat’ he will always arrive ASAP.

Mine is four and half now, and is less interested in zoomies but they do still happen every day or so. My husband describes him as socially inept - he would easily get himself in trouble.

Im still training him these things. When I got him at 3 months he wasn't house trained and hadn't been outside. He didn't even know what birds were. I've had to gain trust first. He is too hyper round people and dogs, so i try to walk him when it's quiet. He is getting better.

 

[FeeC]

You need to find a trainer. Your dog shouldn't be jumping up on people. He needs to learn to walk to heel on a lead, a recall and to sit calmly beside you.

There is no point in making him fitter so that he requires more and more exercise. Physical activity will rarely tire a lurcher, you have to stimulate them mentally.

He of course does require daily exercise but walking the legs off him is unlikely to do anything other than make him fitter.

There is lots that you can do at home. Basic obedience training, scentwork and, as suggested, feeding from toys that make him think.

Most mixes with collie in them require mental stimulation. There are a lot of books on the topic but if you can find a recommended trainer who can come to you, that would be best. They can see the dog, how you handle him, his current education level and what exercise he gets. They can then train you how to train him.

I cant really afford a trainer.

 

[FeeC]

Doing it yourself doesn’t seem to have worked though?

I know this. That's why im on here asking for advice. When I got him at 3 month he wasn't house trained and had bad habits. He was scared and had never been outside. So I have came a long way with him in 6 month. I've gained his trust, house trained him and more.

 

[ponyparty]

Are you on Facebook? There’s a “sight hounds and high prey drive” training group - I don’t have Facebook any more so can’t link to it sorry. Lots of free resources on there that might help you though.

If my maths is right he’s about 9 months old? He’s a high energy adolescent. He will come through the other side, and has a good chance of becoming a good citizen of a dog, if you put the work in now. My lurcher is nearly 2.5 years old and had been through rescue twice by the time I got her a year ago, at just 17 months old - so yes, they can be challenging! She is coming on great with lots of training and entertainment to keep her mind busy.

Boxes with treats wrapped in scrunched up paper is a favourite of hers - she loves destroying them to find the treats! And they’re much cheaper than expensive greet dispenser toys.

He’ll need to be on a harness and long line even when he’s in the garden, as he now knows he can escape. Can you also improve your fencing at all?

 

[FeeC]

Are you on Facebook? There’s a “sight hounds and high prey drive” training group - I don’t have Facebook any more so can’t link to it sorry. Lots of free resources on there that might help you though.

If my maths is right he’s about 9 months old? He’s a high energy adolescent. He will come through the other side, and has a good chance of becoming a good citizen of a dog, if you put the work in now. My lurcher is nearly 2.5 years old and had been through rescue twice by the time I got her a year ago, at just 17 months old - so yes, they can be challenging! She is coming on great with lots of training and entertainment to keep her mind busy.

Boxes with treats wrapped in scrunched up paper is a favourite of hers - she loves destroying them to find the treats! And they’re much cheaper than expensive greet dispenser toys.

He’ll need to be on a harness and long line even when he’s in the garden, as he now knows he can escape. Can you also improve your fencing at all?

Nice to talk to someone that actually gets me. Thank you for your reply. I am considering higher fencing. Trying the long lead now but he's so hyped he sometimes ties his lanky legs up.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Huge caveats to this (I'm not a dog trainer, the training advice I have had has all been from here or YouTube videos recommended via here, and I've only ever had one dog who is a Greyhound with little to no behavioural 'issues'/has been pretty forgiving for a novice dog owner!) but...

I found teaching my dog 'watch me' and 'settle' (on a blanket) incredibly helpful for building her confidence. I'm not sure if your dog is nervous as such, possibly? from your description. Both commands have been so useful after teaching them at home, which was 'brain work' for her to start with, then progressing to situations with a bit more distraction like out in the garden then out into public places.

Helped get her confidence in a few ways I think: 1) if she couldn't do either I knew the situation was too much so we'd go to a quieter spot, 2) the blanket helps her know what to do in unfamiliar situations and again if she won't settle on it, it's probably because the situation is too much, 3) 'watch me' has been useful in busy places (as long as she can do it) because it would stop her looking around and getting worried about things and focused on me.

We also did lots of the home-made enrichment stuff described above too. Surprising just how much it can tire them out!

Harness and long line also essentials. We're completely on-lead at the moment for injury rehab reasons but where we live there's lots of wildlife so we'll be off-lead in secure spaces only. I think we only manage this given her breed and age though. If she were younger and/or a different breed I think we'd have trouble on our hands!

 

[FeeC]

Huge caveats to this (I'm not a dog trainer, the training advice I have had has all been from here or YouTube videos recommended via here, and I've only ever had one dog who is a Greyhound with little to no behavioural 'issues'/has been pretty forgiving for a novice dog owner!) but...

I found teaching my dog 'watch me' and 'settle' (on a blanket) incredibly helpful for building her confidence. I'm not sure if your dog is nervous as such, possibly? from your description. Both commands have been so useful after teaching them at home, which was 'brain work' for her to start with, then progressing to situations with a bit more distraction like out in the garden then out into public places.

Helped get her confidence in a few ways I think: 1) if she couldn't do either I knew the situation was too much so we'd go to a quieter spot, 2) the blanket helps her know what to do in unfamiliar situations and again if she won't settle on it, it's probably because the situation is too much, 3) 'watch me' has been useful in busy places (as long as she can do it) because it would stop her looking around and getting worried about things and focused on me.

We also did lots of the home-made enrichment stuff described above too. Surprising just how much it can tire them out!

Harness and long line also essentials. We're completely on-lead at the moment for injury rehab reasons but where we live there's lots of wildlife so we'll be off-lead in secure spaces only. I think we only manage this given her breed and age though. If she were younger and/or a different breed I think we'd have trouble on our hands!

Thank you. Yes my dog is very nervous. Any unusual objects or noises and he's all over the place. Thanks for your input, I will try the blanket.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Thank you. Yes my dog is very nervous. Any unusual objects or noises and he's all over the place. Thanks for your input, I will try the blanket.

I think I used a combo of Kikopup, Battersea and possibly Dogs Trust videos on YouTube to teach it.

Bearing in mind she was 2 when I was teaching her this, not 9 months! If he's calm enough at home hopefully he'll get the idea fairly quickly but you have to build it up gradually, and then even more gradually out and about if he gets distracted/worried about things.

I found 'watch me' quite good because sometimes my dog would be too worried to go into a 'down' position to settle on the blanket, she needed to be standing up but again as long as she could do 'watch me' it helped and I'd know we could manage the situation (just perhaps not for as long). Training her to be able to settle in the pub was fun. Little and often

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

I got him when he was 3 months and he hadn't really been outside he didn't even know what birds was.

Ok, so that's a good start. You got him at the age most of us get our puppies.

He obviously wouldn't have been house trained, he was a puppy. And bad habits were probably just him being a puppy

You're more than capable of putting the work on to turn him on to the most fantastic dog. But you'll need some help. Either on line or through dog training class.

He'd make a great agility dog, find your nearest class. Get his brain occupied as well as his body.

What were your plans when you got him?

 

[FeeC]

I think I used a combo of Kikopup, Battersea and possibly Dogs Trust videos on YouTube to teach it.

Bearing in mind she was 2 when I was teaching her this, not 9 months! If he's calm enough at home hopefully he'll get the idea fairly quickly but you have to build it up gradually, and then even more gradually out and about if he gets distracted/worried about things.

I found 'watch me' quite good because sometimes my dog would be too worried to go into a 'down' position to settle on the blanket, she needed to be standing up but again as long as she could do 'watch me' it helped and I'd know we could manage the situation (just perhaps not for as long). Training her to be able to settle in the pub was fun. Little and often

Thanks so much.

 

[FeeC]

Ok, so that's a good start. You got him at the age most of us get our puppies.

He obviously wouldn't have been house trained, he was a puppy. And bad habits were probably just him being a puppy

You're more than capable of putting the work on to turn him on to the most fantastic dog. But you'll need some help. Either on line or through dog training class.

He'd make a great agility dog, find your nearest class. Get his brain occupied as well as his body.

What were your plans when you got him?

To be honest I just though I had to save him from where he was.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

To be honest I just though I had to save him from where he was.

Which is great. But all dogs need a plan...

 

[I'm Dun]

I got a lurcher about 6 months ago and i love him to bits, but im fearing I can't give him what he needs.
He's a greyhound, collie, Bedlington cross. I'm 60 and i don't have a car to take him to field etc. He had been running in my back yard and going for walks a few times daily. Recently he jumped the back fence and I can't let him run out there anymore. He's really hyper round other dog and im finding hard to get him off lead as he just runs and jumps over people or other dogs. I'm worried as other dogs in my area are unpredictable. Well I suppose all dogs are. I'm in a suburban area. I don't want to get rid of him as he is my world.
Can anyone give me advice on how much exercise he needs a day and is walking him alot sustainable. My hearts breaking and im just working all the time about it.

They are sometimes, well often, absolute monsters when adolescence kicks in. My latest nearly tipped me over the edge at times. I wont scare you with tales of what he did as he really was extreme.

How much off lead running time is he getting? Mine do a lot as the youngest races, so 4 to 7 miles 5 or 6 days a week, off lead the whole time, swimming for 45mins once a week and race training at the track as often as I can get there. When I've run their fitness right down, so long as they get a decent off lead walk for a couple of miles most days they are fine with that. You need to remember these dogs are bred to run and hunt, they are tough, clever little dogs who need an outlet for their instincts.

Have you got a flirt pole? 20mins of that in the garden can replace off lead time a couple of days a week. I do all sorts of other stuff. Scatter feeding by chucking dry food round the house and garden and making them find it. Putting treats in muffin tins with tennis balls on top. Enrichment boxes which is a plastic tub filled with crumpled brown paper and then egg boxes with treats wrapped up, some loose dry food chucked in, various boxes and tubs with treats in, some higher value than others. Takes min a good 20mins to do theirs and then they are knackered. We have Nina Ottosen puzzle toys which get used. We dont now, but we did days out on the bus and train. Went to cafes for pupaccinos, walked round Oxford centre when it was packed with tourists. Made friends with the ladies in the charity shops in the village, so had a route which involved a stop at costa then a trip round the charity shops to say hello to people, some of whom gave treats, so that was always a hit. We went to pets at home to learn about not trying to interact with animals/people/dogs unless told it was ok. Both know left and right and move over, which is useful for gaining control over where they are and moving them about.

Use trellis on the garden fence. I've got a jumper and the wobbly trellis put a stop to him getting out.

What are you feeding? My first ever whippet was crazed on normal dog food, better on fish based grain free, and pretty normal on raw. I've found sight hounds generally seem to be sensitive to food.

 

[I'm Dun]

@I'm Dun has lurches I believe

wash your mouth out! They are whippets

 

[FeeC]

They are sometimes, well often, absolute monsters when adolescence kicks in. My latest nearly tipped me over the edge at times. I wont scare you with tales of what he did as he really was extreme.

How much off lead running time is he getting? Mine do a lot as the youngest races, so 4 to 7 miles 5 or 6 days a week, off lead the whole time, swimming for 45mins once a week and race training at the track as often as I can get there. When I've run their fitness right down, so long as they get a decent off lead walk for a couple of miles most days they are fine with that. You need to remember these dogs are bred to run and hunt, they are tough, clever little dogs who need an outlet for their instincts.

Have you got a flirt pole? 20mins of that in the garden can replace off lead time a couple of days a week. I do all sorts of other stuff. Scatter feeding by chucking dry food round the house and garden and making them find it. Putting treats in muffin tins with tennis balls on top. Enrichment boxes which is a plastic tub filled with crumpled brown paper and then egg boxes with treats wrapped up, some loose dry food chucked in, various boxes and tubs with treats in, some higher value than others. Takes min a good 20mins to do theirs and then they are knackered. We have Nina Ottosen puzzle toys which get used. We dont now, but we did days out on the bus and train. Went to cafes for pupaccinos, walked round Oxford centre when it was packed with tourists. Made friends with the ladies in the charity shops in the village, so had a route which involved a stop at costa then a trip round the charity shops to say hello to people, some of whom gave treats, so that was always a hit. We went to pets at home to learn about not trying to interact with animals/people/dogs unless told it was ok. Both know left and right and move over, which is useful for gaining control over where they are and moving them about.

Use trellis on the garden fence. I've got a jumper and the wobbly trellis put a stop to him getting out.

What are you feeding? My first ever whippet was crazed on normal dog food, better on fish based grain free, and pretty normal on raw. I've found sight hounds generally seem to be sensitive to food.

I can only put him on a long lead, if I let him off he would be off like a rocket and jump over the first friendly face. He was running in the backdoor but after he jumped the fence that stopped. I've been trying to keep him occupied with games and as you said searching for food. I'm in a suburban area with alot of silly people that don't know how to act with there dogs. You got kids walking large dogs that shouldn't be and dogs of leads that shouldn't be. I do fear walking sometimes. Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

 

[I'm Dun]

I think you do need to look at rehoming. Mine are well behaved, easy dogs but if they never got off lead they would be demented. These are dogs bred to run, they have an inbuilt need to do it. I have the luxury of driving to safe places though. I tend to actively avoid other people. Mine are dog neutral, but I just dont want to be dealing with other people and their dogs. If you are in a situation where you cant allow him time and space to run hes going to keep amping the behaviour up and its not fair on either of you.

 

[FeeC]

I think you do need to look at rehoming. Mine are well behaved, easy dogs but if they never got off lead they would be demented. These are dogs bred to run, they have an inbuilt need to do it. I have the luxury of driving to safe places though. I tend to actively avoid other people. Mine are dog neutral, but I just dont want to be dealing with other people and their dogs. If you are in a situation where you cant allow him time and space to run hes going to keep amping the behaviour up and its not fair on either of you.

 

[FeeC]

I was seriously thinking this way, but i couldn't. I've built up his trust with me, which took a while and i wouldn't put him through that again. Seeing some of the comments on here and acting on them is helping massively.