Help needed

Diana · Help needed

I am not sure which category to post this under. I am struggling with my 14 month old Brittany - to stop her chasing. I have had quite alot of advice, some conflicting, but mostly to never let her go beyond 5-8 ft away. How do I stop her. She is either by my side, or off like a bolt of lightening after a pheasant or a deer. She does eventually return to me, but I am terrified she is going to run onto a road. I got her, at 5 months, because I wanted to do lots of walking, and some agility. But the walking means I want to be able to control her long distance. I bought a DVD which was quite helpful, Come Lassie, but stopped at the point which I needed most - a flying stop. I met someone recently who said she had never managed to stop her Brittany from chasing, and I felt dispirited. A gun dog contact has said that once they have chased, they are difficult, if not impossible to stop. I cannot bear the thought of the rest of her life on a lead. Grateful for offers of help. I have done quite a bit of training in the garden, but once we are in the field she stops listening to me. If I have posted this on the wrong bit of the site, apologies.

dibnahs-dad

I had a similair problem with my Brittany, Dibnah and it nearly cost him his life. He was out with my wife and he ran off and ended up being chased by three lurchers. To get away he jumped a 6ft fence and ended up on the main road and got hit my a car. Sad

Since he's got better in the last 12 months I have managed to curb this running off tendency by doing the following two things, some of you might not agree with the methods but they work for me.

Firstly pick a command word that you want the dog to immediately come back to you with, Mines "byebye dib" and when your out walking keep the dog on a long leash and when they start to walk off or run away, you repeat the command word and turn round and walk off in the opposite direction.

Sure the rope will jerk the dog and you, but in time the dog learns that the command word means, your off in the other direction. If the dog returns to you, reward them.

It took me about 2 weeks of twice a day walking to get this to work with Dib. If I do it now when he's off the lead and I want him near me, then I just shout "byebye dib" and he comes back. The lady I got this advice off said I should take him back to the car, put him back in and then leave him there for a few minutes then try again and she's been training german shepards for over 50 years.

I've done the same routine with a whistle and i'm not talking about a dog whistle here, its a full on loud as you like, sports whistle, which makes my ears ring when its blow. Same routine but the whistle is there so its heard by the dog. As with the command word, the whistle has to be blown the same way each time. Mines a long blast about 5 seconds.

If you cant get your dog to return you might want to try a down using a similiar method, a down is as good as a come especially in a dangerous situation where the dog needs to be immobile while you can get to them and get the lead on.

One thing I took notice of on the last training day was the comment from one of the instructors which was "use the same word for the required action" ie: dont use "here" when you mean "come" and I now consistantly use the same words time and time again.

mike

guy

This worked for me.

You cannot expect a dog to turn and run back to you when in full chase mode without a lot of training. After all the chance to 'catch' whatever is being chased or come back for a 'pat on the head and a stale bit of biscuit' - which would you choose? You have a greater chance of 'stop' the dog. Many trainers consider this the most fundamental skill a dog needs. After all if it is stopped you can go to it and pick it up.

there are two phases to go through - the first the dog has to know the meaning of the command and the second it has to learn it has to comply - every time. Although to us it sounds like the same command; to come in the house is not the same as to come to you in the garden and again not the same as come to you in a wood. So once learned lots of practice is needed in a variety of situations with gradually increasing distractions.

Again start close and work up distance. So a good place to start the 'sit' which is essence is the 'stop' for instance is as you walk. blow the 'sit' but keep moving yourself; if the dog does not sit you are close to hand to make sure it does. You can progress to letting the dog work ahead a bit and then calling the sit. Once again you are in a position to do something about it if she doesn't. The next trick is to quietly run behind her after you let her off, after twenty paces you can call the sit and if she doesn't the look on her face when she suddenly realises you are only a few paces behind is something to be seen to be believed.

Choose very carefully where you let her run ahead when training (and I think that free running and training are mutually exclusive exercises). I have found a farm lane with a fence either side so the only motion is forward and back. It also allows you to use a long line (length of sash chord or Cressy has a good link to a non woven lead) easily. When the dog is at the desired distance blow the stop and stand on the lead. your hands don't get hurt and the dog gets the message. Retractable leads also are great training aids as they don't get tangled.

As Mike say keep the language simple and consistent. Dogs don't understand a conversation.

When you get on to teaching the 'come here' I would suggest you make sure you teach it to a gruff imperative voice - after all if the dog is running towards the road i do not believe you are going to be able to keep up te 'come here' in a high pitched 'dog friendly' voice so beloved of village hall trainers.

Finally only give teh dog a command when you are in a position to enforce it; otherwise all you are doing is training the dog to ignore you.

Good luck.

The Club is organising a training day in January there may still be places on this - Annie wil know.

Finally a very warm welcome to the forum - a very good choice of dog!

Diana

Thanks to both of you who have come back to me so quickly. I shall do as you say. Polly's recall in generally quite good except for when there are pheasants and deer around. I am in the process of applying for membership of the club, and hope to take advantage of the training days. However the January one seems to be in Aberdeenshire, which is not helpful for me in Dorset. I hope something turns up nearer to home. I shall report progress - in case it helps anyone else. Smile

guy

Diana Training day is in Leicestershire. Money goes to treasurer in Aberdeeshire.

Where in the country are you? You could always meet up wit another owner for a bit of mutual training.

Victoria

My thoughts are with you, Diana, because I know just how frustrating this can be. The stop whistle is imperative. Your little one will get the idea. Mike and Guy's advice about consistency with your commands/whistles are paramount. The one thing I had to realise when my boy was doing these antics as a youngster was that I had to relax and realise that I was in command. Once I did this, I became less frustrated and the long lead/check cord and whistle soon had him doing WHAT I WANTED him to do. He learnt that I meant business. Those ears are not painted on!!!
Looking forward to hearing how you go. Your query and Mike and Guy's responses are what makes a forum so informative. Smile

johnhod

Diana

Thanks everyone - the support from this forum is great. Guy - I am in Dorset, so Hampshire might be a possiblity.

Annie as admin

Hi Diana
Welcome to the forum.
Don't panic - we have ALL been through this!
I don't know what training day there is in Aberdeenshire in January - if you can tell me I'll go to it. Perhaps you are confused - I live in Aberdeenshire and I do the paperwork (and nagging for people to come to them Wink

) for all the training days the Club runs as a help to our very hardworked Field Trial Secretary, John Anderson. If you can come to the midlands on 16th and 17th February, we have a Trainign Day on the Saturday(providing we get enough takers), bar supper at night with accommodation at Catthorpe Manor, plus Club Show a few miles away at Yelvertoft(where the M1 and M6 meet), followed by the AGM. You can also join the Club then. Hope to see you there
Annie