I wonder if anyone could tell me if this is correct. When we walk Charlie and he pulls we stop and wait for a lose lead, he goes round and corrects himself, then 2 steps on he pulls and so on, it's as though it just doesn't click that if I don't pull I will get there, and so this is how whole walk is. He does look at me when he is correcting himself. Completely crazy when we get into the fields. Should we not take him for his usual walks and just short bursts? worried that he won't be getting any proper exercise whilst we are doing the "total recall" programme as there is no off lead at all - very difficult. This literally is 2 steps forward and 1 back!! Thank you for all your messages of support so lovely of you all.
Re: Round in Circles! Hi Helen, I think maybe it is important to point out at this point, for others reading, that the advice to stick to lead walking only is for serious absconders. That is, dogs that actually run away when let off the lead, and are in danger of coming to real harm. Most dogs will be able to have off-lead exercise during the programme provided the new recall signal is not used outside of the training sessions. I think you are right to be concerned about Charlie's exercise Helen, is there anywhere at all that you can let him run in safety? Does he like to retrieve? If so, retrieving games in the garden can help burn off some of that energy. Exercise does not have to be in the form of 'walking'. Games etc can be just as effective. It sounds as though Charlie is learning a pattern of walking and circling which is not helpful, and which is caused by you continuing in the same overall direction once he has done his circle. Brisk about turns might help to break this. BUT I really do think that it might be better to deal with the heelwork issues when you have got the recall back in order. In the meantime you might find some kind of anti-pull harness will help you walk him more easily. Pippa
Re: Round in Circles! Helen, just reading Pippa`s reply about maybe using some sort of anti pull device . Sam was terrible for pulling , he is a big dog at 34 kilos and many a time came close to pulling me over . I got him a Gentle Leader head collar , best thing I ever did , he hated it and fought against it which made me feel a total failure . Then suddenly he became used to wearing it and walked so nicely on our way to his off lead session , his most excited time and the worst for pulling , I didnt need it on the way home when he was exercised and ready to take it more slowly . After a couple of months of seeing his expressions of " woe is me " at the sight of his head collar , I decided to risk using his slip lead , joy of joy, massive improvement, just as though he knew he was on probation and that if he started to pull, he would once again be inflicted with his nemesis . I have hardly used the head collar in six months , we took it away with us recently and did use it once only in a restaurant where I dreaded that he may pull , could imagine tables flying, but I ended up taking it off as he lay under the table quietly . it might then be worth you giving one a go , I got mine from Amazon, its called a Gentle Leader , hope this might just help .
Re: Round in Circles! Hi Pippa, Charlie is let off in a paddock near us for a good run. He will retrieve tennis balls but momentarily and then he just runs the perimeter, so not that useful and he does the same in our garden. I thought his walking wasn't helpful, I will put him back on the slip lead looped round his nose which he doesn't mind as much as a halti etc. Recall going well and he only has to see me pick the whistle up and he's raring to go. On Exercise 4 now. Sorry to ask but think I may have another potential issue, Charlie seems to block Hattie getting to us but me in particular and as I am sitting here Hattie came over and he had a bit of a snap at her because she is next to me at least I think that's why or he will bark at her continuously. He has done this over treats/food to her on a couple of occassions too. should I worry about this? They play a lot together, sleep, eat etc. together without any problems. When we all sit together to watch TV he has to be there first. If Hattie does get there first he just joins us, so should I stop him being first? Feel Charlie just has issue after issue and it's all becoming very confussing and I worry a lot about him as I am used to Hattie who just goes with the flow and is so easy. Warn out Thank you.
Re: Round in Circles! Hi Helen We had a gentle leader, like the one Kate suggests, for Finnegan. If it works on a 70kg Wolfie I'm pretty sure it will work on a big headstrong Labrador. They don't look nice but it did work for us, allowing my lightweight mum to control him without needing brute force or a strong personality. With regards to your other problem, it sounds like Charlie's getting overly attached to you and protecting you. I have a friend who had the same problem with her collie, I don't know exactly how she solved it, I think she used the Dog Whisperer books -I'll ask her. Pippa might have a solution up her sleve for you. Keep at it, Kerryn
Re: Round in Circles! Hi Kerryn, thanks for the information and would be interested to hear what your friend has to say. Have used a gentle leader but the monkey still pulls but I will try again and he will just have to get used to it. Thanks so much again and I will keep at it as always! Helen
Re: Round in Circles! Hi Helen It was the dog whisperer, we think it was this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dog-Listener-Jan-Fennell/dp/0006532365?tag=vogue Amy say you do have to work at it, one of the exercises she had to do was to convince Bill (the dog) that her leaving a room didn't mean she wasn't going to return, he would sit staring at the door, growling at her husband if tried to get past or to go out. Because the front door was covered in secondary glazing it wouldn't open so she spent a day climbing out of the window to return via the back door! But it worked. Bill now still loves her to bits but is happy to share her with the family, which now includes two preschool, toddling daughters who use Bill as a mobile walker! With regard to the gentle leader, Finnegan hated it at first and threw his head around like a pony (well he could do a good horse impression anyway, just by standing still!) and would tug a bit from side to side but by standing still, with a firm Stand command, he soon got used to it and for Mum it made all the difference between a walk being a trial and enjoyable. But like the whispering it takes time and consistency. My hardest bit is getting the family to be consistent, the dog learns quickly it the humans that struggle! Anyway, hope that helps with Charlie. Kerryn
Re: Round in Circles! It is really very common for dogs to display an occasional bit of jealousy like this. If it happens over food then it is best to make sure they are fed separately, and to teach them to sit well spaced apart to recieve treats. Any movement by either, no treat. Sometimes dogs can be possessive over a person, it is impossible to say from a description whether this is a big deal or not, you really have to be there, but I suspect it is not serious. Most arguments are just noise and posturing. And yes, if Hattie being there first stops Charlie being grumpy, then that is a good idea. I have one cocker that snaps at the other dogs if she is first into the car. I could get all complicated and try to train this out, but instead I simply always put her into the car last. Then they all ride along together without any sniping. End of problem. (Except on the occasions I forget ) Obviously with any kind of aggression, you have to keep an eye out for any signs of escalation, but in many cases this minor kind of jealousy within a group of dogs can simply be sorted out with sensible management. Pippa
Re: Round in Circles! Thank you Pippa that is what I thought and exactly how I deal with it. It happens very rarely and otherwise they are great pals. This young whipper snapper has a lot to learn! Helen
Re: Round in Circles! Thanks Kerryn for your help, I think as Pippa said this is quite common and he just needs to know his place. He is such a gentle boy and has never even growled just lots of noise As for the gentle leader I am going to try one as we have tried everything else, and I will take your advice when he does wear it. I agree with the family issue, I say one thing they do another and that's not just with Charlie. I'm still training my lot! Charlie did really well retrieving and dropping a ball in the garden for a while today, sitting and waiting for me to call him to get it etc. Also doing really well with his homework for agility which was to "touch", he touches a lid on command now after 3 days for a treat. Any progress gratefully received! Helen
Re: Round in Circles! Sounds to me like you are definitely making progress Helen. Reading between the lines, I think Charlie is a clever lad who needs to be challenged and have some kind of 'job'... be that agility, or retrieving, or whatever. It seems he has been very confused, but now with your clear directions I think you are slowly starting to win the battle... Good for you!!!
Re: Round in Circles! Thank you Karen, I feel he is more focussed now especially with all the excellent advice and help I have had from Pippa and all of you. I have also got into a good routine with his training and this helps a lot. I think you are quite right about him being confussed, and that was because I didn't know how to deal with him and his issues but I feel quite confident now, so onwards and upwards. Rome wasn't built in a day!! Helen Kerryn, just bought a gentle leader so will try tomorrow. Thanks Helen
