Harley has come into season today : She usually gets walked about now so is a bit restless The vet advised to walk her late at night and on lead only......the problem is her on lead walking is still really poor Where we walk she is on lead for literally 2 mins to cross the road (we drive there), then is off lead for at least 60 mins in fields, in the stream etc. this location isn't lit so I can't take her there at night......any suggestions greatly appreciated
Re: Season Ah, this is the problem I faced when Charlie was injured - we were great off lead, then suddenly had to be on lead. I guess if she is not good on lead, she is not good on a long lead or extendable lead either? I think the answer is get out the clicker and try to enjoy training walking nicely. Do street walks, where all the other dogs will be on lead too. I do not think you want to be dealing with off lead intact dogs, and certainly not late at night in an unlit location. Intact dogs will smell her from a long way away. I don't think it's sensible to walk a bitch in season off lead - but I say that as someone who walks an intact male dog, rather from the point of view of experience owning a bitch.
Re: Season I feel for you , Millie came into season only three months after we rehomed her , I had worked hard on her recall and she had been enjoying off lead fun with big Sam . I am lucky in having one particular walk down a bridlepath where nobody else ever goes and so I did let her off lead there as I can see far enough ahead , had someone decided to walk . On all other walks , I kept her on a long training line, just not worth the risk of letting her go, its a pain but she had extra walks to make up for it and lots of garden play , good luck
Re: Season Julie - she is worse on extendable and long leads as she gets to the end of it then lunges which makes the pulling harder on my back I won't let her off lead when out and about as I don't want to risk it. I think I'm going to have to start again on lead walking......was waiting to take her to go dog trainer to help with this, but think I'm going to have another go On the plus side, my daughter is home from uni for 4 months so could do a few short walks during the day for me ;D
Re: Season Have you got any football pitches, horse paddocks or schools that are fenced anywhere near you? If they'd let you on there you might be able to let her off lead? Good luck
Re: Season You do right not to let her off lead, its not worth it , as I said , I did on the deserted lane but it was at 7 in the morning
Re: Season When puzzle had her first season she was kept on lead except when we took her to a dog exercise area near us that is fully enclosed. We went at unsociable hours to avoid meeting any other dogs, and by this i mean going midday during the week, no chance on the weekend as there is always someone there. We would not risk it when it is dark as there is no lighting so we could not see if anyone else is in there or not. She is due her next one around now. It is easier for me as being on study leave i can walk during the day around the roads when we are unlikely to meet any other dogs. At least we will be able to get lots of heelwork training done, she is terrible on the lead especially when we have barley with us. When me and her are on our own she is 90% really good.
Re: Season I wouldn't be so worried about unsociable hours, more the staying away from other dogs thing. The field closest to me is usually fairly deserted so I've been ok with exercising Penny whilst in season but if I were in your position I would be using this opportunity to work on her lead walking - just think: in three weeks time you could have a dog that walks beautifully on lead
Re: Season [quote author=Naya link=topic=6421.msg85178#msg85178 date=1401897931] Julie - she is worse on extendable and long leads as she gets to the end of it then lunges which makes the pulling harder on my back [/quote] Yup, thought that might be the case. Why not just look on this time as the time in which you are going to reestablish the walking nicely rules with Harley? Don't worry about her getting any walks apart from walking nicely training walks. Apart from that, she'll just have to blow off some energy in the garden. She'll survive just fine. Pick your technique, and stick to it. I originally did the one step at a time clicker train, increasing steps. When Charlie was injured, I went to a different technique set out in Turid Rugaas' book: my dog pulls? You can get it as an ebook for less than £3. It's a short book. And it's very simple. In the kitchen: Choose a sound (click click, thigh slap, whatever) Train Harley to take a couple of steps towards you when she hears that sound Go out into the street: As soon as Harley pulls, make your sound and turn in the opposite direction from that in which you were walking Go up and down, not going anywhere until she stops pulling. After 15 mins, go back inside. And repeat until you get to the end of the street (however long that takes) and so on.
Re: Season Thanks everyone I'm going to take your advice and take this opportunity to re-establish her lead walking. I've persuaded my daughter to do 2 short walks up and down our cul-de-sac a day, then I will take her for a slightly longer walk later in the evening. I've recently brought some barker and a barker treats as she loves these so going to use these will keep you informed of our progress
Re: Season Good luck! If you are desperate for an off lead walk, you can always use our fields, they are private property, as long as Benson stays in! He has already taken a fancy to Harley....there again...Benson x Harley pups.?... ;D ;D
Re: Season I would be wary about letting your daughter walk her unless you can be confident she will 100% stick to your training rules if you're trying to retrain Harley to walk to heel. It could be taught with only you doing it but it will take much longer and Harley may not be able to transfer the behaviour to when she's being walked by someone else.
Re: Season Unfortunately Lauren, my hours have increased for the next few weeks so I'm unable to go home at lunch time My daughter is nearly 19 and is really responsible and done really well walking her after my operation in December. She follows my instructions really well thank god. She's coming out with us later for me to show her how I want her to train Harley
Re: Season Oh that's good I just know that if my sister (also 19) were to take my mums dog for a walk, or be left in charge she would let her run amok! Lol but then she's pretty immature for her age lol
Re: Season Luckily Orianna is sensible and grown up for her age (well.....most of the time : ) Thanks Kate, I will bear that in mind and might take you up on your offer if Harley gets too hyper defo don't want pups though.....even though they would be so cute with Harley and Benson
