Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour To update - starting to get the message with jumping off lead, a few mishaps but by ignoring he does correct himself. The on lead biting and jumping is getting worse though at the moment he is unwalkable. Any advice on the next step...? was thinking that I would spray the lead with bitter apple to discourage any biting also when he grabs the lead I am starting to let it go and walk off so that he knows that it isn't a game although he just runs off chewing the lead thinking that a game is exactly what it is! Any ideas much appreciated,
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour I don't have this specific problem, but I have a very excitable dog (things have got much better, but at first when he was on restricted exercise, it was truly awful). I use a clicker and whatever mad excitement behaviour is happening, I let happen without reacting (any reaction from me would make it worse, even a NO). I always have him safe - I use a back fastening harness and a very short lead. I just wait him out. No matter how long. Eventually, he relaxes. I click and treat. I use gooood treats - sardine, beef etc. for serious situations. He remembers those treats and wants more. (He is also hungry, I do not feed him when I need treats to have maximum impact). Could you use a harness, short lead, or even step on the lead, and just wait for that instant of calm, and reward? I thought it was hopeless at first. What was the point of rewarding a millisecond of calm? But it did work (although we are far from home and dry, things are much better).
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour I remember Pippa talking about extinction behaviour, I think it was called. When the dog tries his usual tricks, and the human ignores it, so the dog tries harder and harder to get the response he previously received from his bad behaviour - until eventually he realizes it isn't working, and gives up. You may be at that stage now. Don't weaken, you've done really well so far!!
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Yep, I agree. He is trying extra hard as what worked before has suddenly stopped working and he doesn't know why. I'd adopt the approach that Julie uses - click and treat for the tiniest bit of calm and work up from there. Show him what you want - teach him the acceptable alternative. Practice this in mildly exciting situations - in your driveway rather than on an actual walk. Don't let go of the lead in response to excitable behaviour as that's a reward. By all means spay the lead with something yucky. Keep at it - you're doing well! Great to hear that the off lead behaviour is improving. What other kinds of training do you do with him?
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Thanks for advice, will try just ignoring and waiting out the bad lead behaviour and see how it goes.... Other training includes agility, recall, sit and wait at kerbside etc He is very intelligent and excellent in the house, very food driven so easy to train...just this problematic lead issue :'(
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Stay strong It may take a while. But once you nail this life will be much easier.
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Was thinking that instead of getting bitten to pieces when he turns on lead I may just practice in a safe area by just tying the lead to a tree and walking away until he stops and just keep repeating- playing up means getting left alone?
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour That doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Not sure why, but there is something about tying a dog up and walking away from him that sounds wrong… Hang on please until one of the others comes on with more information or ideas.
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Have you used the tug technique demonstrated in the video you linked to? If so, what happens when you offer your dog a tug toy, whilst he is tugging on the the lead?
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Have practiced the tug technique in video within confines of the house and he is very good, drops on command but will not drop lead on command when outside. Haven't tried offering toy when biting lead on the basis that could this be like saying "if you bite on lead, you get a toy to play with"?
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour The principle of swapping is a sound one. Because in order to take the tug toy, the dog has to let go of the lead. You can add a cue to this at some point if you wish. You would also need to prevent the dog learning to go back to the lead again after releasing the tug toy, by increasing the gap between tugs very gradually to begin with.
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Still not getting any joy on the lead whatsoever, I have been told by a behaviourist that this behaviour can be triggered by a tired overworked young dog, so maybe shorter runs off lead! If all else fails then I could use the head collar as this calms him right down and no problems occur; but is this just masking the problem? Or will it teach him to forget the bad behaviour?
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour I am no expert, but I do have an excitable 6 month old Lab so I can sympathise. JulieT is on the nail. I find Molly's behaviour deteriorates when she is tired (just like a human toddler). She will jump on the furniture, which she is not allowed to to. Then she turns into a teenager with her "what are you going to do about it stance'. I escort her to her crate. Half way across the room I swear I hear her think 'oh,oh. Blown it again'. Then she meekly trots into her crate and I tell her she's got a timeout. Pointless I know but it makes me feel better. If she has one of her made dashes round the room (again this happens when she's tired) I just stand still until she's run out of steam. To try to intervene just escalates matters. I'm not much practical use to you, but hopefully it feels better to know that you are not alone.
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Hey Winston my Pup Coop(11 months ) has these mad outbursts or violent running around the house from 1 room to another hurting himself but doesnt mind it this is what i did to stop the behaviour as he has hip problems i have quoted it below this has worked for me sometimes to stop it i even make noise with his favourite squeaky toy and he stops but the most effective one will be the quote tat i posted from another member
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour So, at this point he has improved off-lead and is now more likely to come and sit rather than come and bite/leap. Is that right? But, when he is put back on lead after a run he starts to bite/leap. Is that also right? What about just on a normal on-lead walk. Does he bite/leap on the lea if he has not had an off-lead run beforehand? It's definitely just mad excitement/frustration/lack of self control. That was pretty clear early on. That's why I was talking about practising and rewarding 'calm lying down'.
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5097.msg65955#msg65955 date=1396643751] So, at this point he has improved off-lead and is now more likely to come and sit rather than come and bite/leap. Is that right? But, when he is put back on lead after a run he starts to bite/leap. Is that also right? What about just on a normal on-lead walk. Does he bite/leap on the lea if he has not had an off-lead run beforehand? It's definitely just mad excitement/frustration/lack of self control. That was pretty clear early on. That's why I was talking about practising and rewarding 'calm lying down'. [/quote] Yes he is brilliant off lead, but starts when on lead. Have been trying him out just walking him without taking him off-lead and he did start playing up although when I turn my back and let him jump/bite etc he does eventually give up, so some slight hope! I guess I should reward him as soon as he stops biting and keep repeating? Will get this cracked! once it is cracked I hope that this thread will be useful to others in same situation
Re: Bizarre ultra excitable behaviour Just to update, all the advice given on here worked as there has been no crazy behavior for some time. Thankyou to all
