Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs We rescued our Fox Red Lab about 5 months ago and had exactly the same issue as yourself , The only thing that has fortunately worked for us is a local organised event were Jake gets to run around for 2hrs off the lead with 20+ other dogs . If you could find a group near you that would be the best thing he really needs to meet as many dogs as possible off the lead , Which can be daunting when your dog is so hyper and you feel such a fool trying to restrain him/her . Over a period of weeks they become less interested with other dogs through socialisation , Personally IMHO run of the mill dog trainers are pretty useless and one to one sessions will never help with get him to calm down all they ever advise you is to use a halti or some other form of restraint . Certainly not the answer at all as we have tried almost everything , Start with the basics in training such as walking to heel and sit and stay and his/her excitement will over time reduce with meeting other dogs . We had our Jake swimming in a local area were their are 3 ponds and their was another Lab close by in another pond and he was not even bothered he was more interested in his toy and swimming . GOOD LUCK MIKE
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs The trainer is Colin Rose www.dogintuition.co.uk. Meeting at 2pm for an hour so will let you know how we go! He uses a reward based system so in line with all the books we have already like Pippa's Total Recall. We have just taken him for a 30 min walk... great first 10 mins mostly walking to heel. By 10-20 mins getting a bit more excited by things, smells etc pulling more. We crossed the road when another dog approached, got him to sit an just observe whilst we rewarded his good behaviour, then when he did jump up we walked in the opposite direction. By 20-30min he was pulling waaaay more, very excited, serious concentration issues, having to stop constantly and get him to sit or change direction, treats were running low so we picked up a stick and that got his focus back on us. Gave him stick as reward and he happily walked along with it for a little while, but then had a tendency to leap for the stick and was better when it was out of sight. When we got back home he went BANANAS in the garden running around like a maniac, leaping up at me and nipping on occasion, it seems the walk actually just made him more wound up he needs this big energy release, which he is not getting and seems to just get frustrated and bored walking! I played ball with him for 5 minutes before we went out for walk then allowed him to calm down completely before we set off for walk where he always very patient and good but it's obviously not enough to get rid of all the excess. We would LOVE to let him off leash to meet other dogs in a semi-organised way such as you mention Mike , I really feel this would be beneficial mostly to get rid of all that energy he has, which no amount of playing can really get rid of, this makes him a lot more work on the walks. Will see what we can find around here. Tomorrow should be interesting, we are going down to my parent's farm where he'll be able to go off leash for first time since we've had him in a huge garden and fields aplenty. Also a chance for him to meet some new people and possibly a 1 year old Collie-Springer cross who is as bonkers as he is, which may or may not be a good thing!! The meet up on the 26th sound ideal and we're both around so it's in the diary! Thanks for all your help, this forum is already providing a wealth of info and understanding. Dexter is now happily crashed out in the sunny spot in the hall. Simon
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Glad to hear Dexter is crashed out - peace, for a bit anyway. He sounds very much like my boy. I can't let him off the lead either (he is injured, and has been on lead walks for ages) and it has been a real struggle. I think it's pretty difficult to exercise a young, energetic labrador 100% on lead. So glad to hear that you have the opportunity to let him have a run soon, that sounds great.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Better off with a GunDog Trainer IMHO i Have posted a method covering walking to heel in other posts which was taught to us by a well respected trainer who has worked and trained not just gun dogs but sniffer dogs and guide dogs even from rescue centres . Mike
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs And his training was never treat based just plenty of praise and in 4-5 weeks we have seen a vast improvement in our Jake after trying for months . Mike
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi Simon, well done for taking on a rescue and as Karen said, it's not easy, we have a rescue Labrador x Pointer that we got at 9 months he is now 3 1/2 years old and he was unbeknown to us a previous absconder which has been so difficult for us . I am not sure if it would be an option to maybe have use of an enclosed paddock to allow Dexter to run around and burn off some of that energy, we managed to do this and it really then helped Charlie to focus a bit better to train him and practise recall, heel work, retrieving and many things. Dexter is gorgeous and I wish you luck. Please ask all the questions you need x
First 1-1 training session... Wow. So here is what happened on his first 1-1 session. On arrival we were a little late as had taken the wrong turn gone down a bumpy lane, 10 minutes after getting out of car Dexter deposited his lunch in from of himself, didn't see or hear it coming, he seemed absolutely fine, hope was just the car journey and the fact we probably fed him 15 mins before leaving as we were rushed (slap on wrist, I know) Anyway the time with Colin was great, he put us at ease and talked through various issues we are having and then showed us firstly some practical tips for when he is on the lead... talking of the lead, we bought a short lead thinking naively that it would keep him close and stop him pulling as his behaviour on the extendable lead from previous owner was appalling. However, Colin enlightened us and explained how his 5 foot lead (a rather lovely horse lead with soft touch material, not like course webbing material which roughened the hands) would give him breathing space allow some discrepancies with his movement and give us the option to shorten it when needed (he showed us how to hold the lead in three fingers holding the remaining slack over the top ready to drop as well as hold on to the clicker) We are both more comfortable walking him on the right (even thought Colin demonstrated how he was just as happy on left as well) We had our premium treats ready and practiced the following three stages using the clicker: 1. With dog behind us treat goes to his nose then we say "Dexter heel" before moving off and putting treat behind our back the second he is level with us, 'click' and reward. This was then extended to praising the dog as he walked to get more distance before clicking. Dexter excelled and really made us proud. No pulling at all. 2. For when he does pull or we need to change direction asap were were shown the next stage. By dropping the slack in the lead walking backwards then dropping treat hand down the dog turns and follows without a command, when he reached you 'click and reward. As we learnt this keeps the dog on his toes! By dropping in change of directions without warning he learns to be attentive ready for change of direction. Dexter did great! 3. Next stage leads on from previous and just has you turning and continuing to walk until dog is at heel before clicking and rewarding. Dexter did ok but decided that the longer lead was more interesting in his mouth! The next thing was amazing. After explaining what we would do Colin gave us the confidence to let go of the lead... With Francesca holding Dexter I put a treat to his nose, walked away a short distance turned, said "Dexter come!" turned and ran a few steps (upon which he is released), turned back with my hand down containing some juicy chicken and when he reached me I held collar then rewarded him. He LOVED this!! To see him galloping was awesome, though it must be noted he had a rather hilarious run, like he'd never done it before, imagine Forrest Gump breaking out of his leg braces ;D After that though he was like a duck to water, running like a dog should run and going back and forth between us on command as we ran away from him. making the recall fun and exciting clearly helps. I know this is covered in Pippa's book just didn't think he'd do it! We moved onto simply holding him while the other, not even needing to show the treat, simply turn, jog away and call him, arrive Dexter! So good and finally a way to tire him out, and us! There is apparently a great area around Lansdown racecourse where off leash will work well and pretty huge area to find a quiet spot in. With more tips and advice given for other situations and what we should be practicing we came away feeling rather delighted with ourselves and our clever boy Dex. He is now sooooo mellow and chilled since coming back and we are continuing the clicker training with all the good things he is doing to ingrain it. Next steps is to get a decent length lead and a wider collar. There is a long road ahead, but now we can see that he how quickly he picked up this we'll be doing a few short sessions walking well a day from now on. 8) Simon
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs That sounds brilliant- you sound so much more positive now. Great to hear about it
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Sounds like you had a great time! Good all round by the sound of it Apart from the up-chucking. When we went to training we were told NOT to feed our dogs beforehand. Made them more receptive to the treats ;D
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=5737.msg73641#msg73641 date=1399229456] Sounds like you had a great time! Good all round by the sound of it Apart from the up-chucking. When we went to training we were told NOT to feed our dogs beforehand. Made them more receptive to the treats ;D [/quote] Definitely no food before we go next time!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs I am so chuffed for you! Sounds like your trainer has given you and your dog so much more confidence!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs thank you for the write up - very interesting. your trainer sounds just perfect! very sensible. great stuff!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs You sound so much happier and more positive, so great that you have found a good trainer too. Well done and Dexter too x
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs So glad you got so much out of your first session Really great news! It sounds like Dexter loved it too.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs I've loved reading your post ....I'm working with lunging and pulling to other dogs.....we are a lot better than we were a couple of weeks ago when I was at the end of my tether( so,was Dex when he saw another dog,ha ha ha) Picked up a few tips from you thankyou x Recall games are the best.......I love nothing more than Dexter charging in between my Husband and I .... Your Dexters sounds like he loved his good run out,sorry he was sick x
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=Dexter link=topic=5737.msg73761#msg73761 date=1399265697] I've loved reading your post ....I'm working with lunging and pulling to other dogs.....we are a lot better than we were a couple of weeks ago when I was at the end of my tether( so,was Dex when he saw another dog,ha ha ha) Picked up a few tips from you thankyou x Recall games are the best.......I love nothing more than Dexter charging in between my Husband and I .... Your Dexters sounds like he loved his good run out,sorry he was sick x [/quote] Took him out this morning for a short session on the lead, training to heel and he was superb! Unfortunately after coming home and being fed breakfast half an hour later he deposited most of it in tidy pile on the carpet, a little concerned as to what might be the cause, we have been introducing to him over the last three days to a handful of James Wellbeloved, as that's what we've heard is pretty good stuff (large bred junior lamb and rice), which he always eats first rather than the Pedigree stuff he arrived with. Went 50:50 today with the portions and it didn't stay down for long! Should we try another tactic?
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=LabinBath link=topic=5737.msg73786#msg73786 date=1399276290]... Unfortunately after coming home and being fed breakfast half an hour later he deposited most of it in tidy pile on the carpet ...[/quote] You may find that 1/2 hour after exercise is a little soon - pretty sure that I've read that it's best to aim for a gap of 45 mins to an hour between exercise and food (before and after). Thanks for the training write-up. Very interesting.
