Just wanted to introduce myself and Daisy my Gorgeous (when she's had her mad half hour) Spinone. She's a 7 month old bundle of enormous affection and fun. Pictures to follow. One problem, is her selective hearing on a recall. (until she decides to listen). Any suggestions, bearing in mind we live in the countryside and she has a plethora of rabbits, pheasants and the like on her doorstep. Although if one actually stood still and let her catch it, I'm not sure she'd know what to do ! It is becoming a problem.
and Tweed too! Hi Caroline, I don't think I would allow Daisy to have free access to scents and other distractions until I first had a secure recall. I would begin to teach this on a long line, and reward her with really tasty treats, (cheese, baked liver, chicken etc.) for coming back to me. Use a light, happy voice, and really let her see that you are pleased with her when she does what you ask. Keep the lessons short, and vary this training with lots of fun games, seaching for toys or treats in the grass, playing tuggy, or catching a ball, etc. When this is going well, I would find a securely fenced area, such as a riding school or a tennis court, before moving on to try the recall off lead. (You could leave a short line attached to her collar in case of emergency). When you call her to you, give her a big reward, gently take hold of her collar, and then release her again. She must not feel that all the fun stops when she does come back! Have you thought about joining a training club? This would also help in teaching her to socialise with other dogs, and to concentrate on you in the presence of other distractions. The Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme is a really good course for training a dog, with graduated nationally recognised awards along the way. Good luck with Daisy, Spinones are a lovely fun breed.
Hi Carole, Thanks so much for your post and advice. I should have expanded on situation really. I have had large breed dogs before and have trained them well. However, I lived in a town and basic training is easier as there are secure parks and areas. Street walking and lead work is also easier as there are far less distractions. I did join a KC Good Citizen Scheme, however I was disappointed as it was all about treat rewards and nothing else, which rightly or wrongly I'm not a fan of. I found that having a treat just out of reach of a dogs nose to entice them to walk to heal unacceptable. Daisy is very very good at every other command it's just recall which is the most important! I have been a little unfortunate as have had back surgery and it was easier for me to let her off lead in a field when she was less interested in her surroundings and stayed close. .It's now that her confidence has grown that the problem has arisen. I will definitely heed your advice, get a long training lead and some tasty morsels and start as we mean to go on. I did smile at your "keep a light voice" advice, as it's amazing how high both my voice and even more so my husbands voice gets during the recall. : ) I will let you know how things go. Thank youCaroline
It sounds as if Daisy now being 7 months old has reached the Kevin stage, hence the selective deafness. I went through that with Pereg, who I had thought was beautifully trained by then, but she turned from a well-behaved obedient pup into the dreaded Kevin - although she did grow out of it thankfully.
HI Couple of links that may help http://totallygundogs.com/how-to-prevent-your-dog-chasing-things/ How do I stop my dog chasing http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/how-do-i-stop-my-dog-chasing/ I always teach my dogs the ‘wait’ command, once they understand what it means I practise on walks/crossing roads or if they go to far ahead and they immediately stop. Where I walk ive never seen any rabbits before but came across one yesterday, think it might have had mixi as it kept running in circles, anyhow Heiko half heartedly chased it ,normally he has a great recall but he just ignored me ,I shouted ‘wait’ and he stopped in his tracks, might be worth a try .
yes, that`s will have a lot to do with it, you need to go back to basics with her, and re enforce all you did before. Plus , you have a Spinone (is this a breed you have had before) if so, you will know about the hound mentality in the breed, that nose of hers is going to want to do what it was bred for, so not only are you up against the teenager who has cut her apron strings, you also have breed traits to deal with. Love the breed, was on my short list a few years ago, but the hound in them stopped me going for them, although I do love them to bits....
