Help with 1 year old english springer

Lifeisbutadream

Gingham_R wrote: »

How much exercise does the dog get? They're not couch potato dogs and need to be kept busy from what I can remember of my friend's dogs as a child.

He gets plenty of excercise - he gets 2-3 walks per day of about 2 hours altogether or more, plus play in teh garden. He sleeps or just lays all the time when at home.

Gingham_R

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

He gets plenty of excercise - he gets 2-3 walks per day of about 2 hours altogether or more, plus play in teh garden. He sleeps or just lays all the time when at home.

What sort of games does he play on the walks? Will he fetch? Does he like swimming? Have you thought of doing a dog agility class with him? I'm just trying to think of things you can do together to get more pleasure from him, because it sounds like you're not really having fun yet?

Lifeisbutadream

Gingham_R wrote: »

What sort of games does he play on the walks? Will he fetch? Does he like swimming? Have you thought of doing a dog agility class with him? I'm just trying to think of things you can do together to get more pleasure from him, because it sounds like you're not really having fun yet?

Dog classes cost a fortune, so I dont really want to do that. I dont really have time either as classes tend to be on an evening and the kids are either at swimming/football or athletics every night.

He loves to fetch a ball - in fact he could do that for hours and that is what we tend to do most on walks - he also loves swimming, although I dont generally encourage that - as his only choice is a very muddy river!!!

To be honest the walking thing is the thing that bothers me - the others bits I think are just irritations stemming from the resentment that I cant even walk him to the shop without being dragged down the road.

Gingham_R

Does he sit on command? What about getting him to stop by telling him to sit every time he pulls? Do you think he'll get bored of that - especially if you're holding the ball in your other hand as a reminder of where you're going?

ali-t

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I dont want to use baby gates - done all that when the kids were little! he does not go into rooms that he isnt allowed when we are not there, so he knows that he is allowed.

Clearly he doesn't know or he wouldn't be doing it.

From the information you have provided it sounds like what he has learnt is that he doesn't poo in the main bit of the garden when you are there and he doesn't get onto carpeted areas when you are there.

The important bit of the above sentence is when you are there.

He will have realised that he gets punished (in whatever form you use) if he is caught doing these things but there is no punishment if he is not caught.

You need to go back to basics with him and treat him like it is day 1 all over again.

I would also suggest getting a headcollar and totally recommend dogmatic collars http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/ as they don't ride up into the eyes. This will allow you to have total control back again as it becomes uncomfortable to pull. For a dog like a springer I would no expect you to be using headcollars for life but just until the dog realises that you rule the house.

I have never owned a springer but know a lot of people do not advocate them as pets as they can be so high maintenance and require so much exercise. Leaving the dog at home when you go out is counterproductive as he is not getting the input that will stop him going stir crazy.


ETA, just read the rest of the thread and you have already had this advice - doh!

Caroline_a

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

Thanks - I had a bad back for months earlier this year which didnt help lead training, but he is perfect in that he doesnt go far - off the lead he is a dream - its like he is on a string - I just call or whistle and straight back he comes.

I would probably have more luck training him to walk next to me without a lead!

Most people would give their right arm to have a dog like that. What are you feeding him on by the way - sometimes the wrong food will make them manic. My GSD has been a lot calmer since I have fed him a raw diet.

I think what you are going to have to do is spend your walks with him lead training. At the moment I guess the lead is a necessary evil with the walk the end product. What I would do is do an off-lead walk, then put the lead on him. Spend some time walking on the lead and either stopping, or changing direction every time he pulls (I use the change direction one, usually in his direction as he then walks into my leg and has to stop). Hopefully he will realise that walking on the lead is not always a precursor to a joyous charge around. However, you will need to do this for some time, not just a week, but possibly for a month or two on a daily basis.

Lifeisbutadream

Caroline_a wrote: »

Most people would give their right arm to have a dog like that. What are you feeding him on by the way - sometimes the wrong food will make them manic. My GSD has been a lot calmer since I have fed him a raw diet.

I think what you are going to have to do is spend your walks with him lead training. At the moment I guess the lead is a necessary evil with the walk the end product. What I would do is do an off-lead walk, then put the lead on him. Spend some time walking on the lead and either stopping, or changing direction every time he pulls (I use the change direction one, usually in his direction as he then walks into my leg and has to stop). Hopefully he will realise that walking on the lead is not always a precursor to a joyous charge around. However, you will need to do this for some time, not just a week, but possibly for a month or two on a daily basis.

He really isnt 'manic' - quite the opposite in fact - it makes me laugh to even think of that as he is laid at my feet and has been for the past two hours... he will lay there until our walk this afternoon.

I spent 4 months doing the lead training when we first got him (at 4 months) - he would do it when he remembered, but then would seem to forget again - the whole family trained with him so knew what to do.

I think I probably do need to start it all again, but the thought of it just makes me tired - it was so draining and I dont feel like we got anywhere...

Lifeisbutadream

Caroline_a wrote: »

You do say this is your first dog, and personally I feel that a Springer is not a dog for a beginner.

Missed this before - can I ask why you think that?

I personally think he is a perfect family dog - I would have hated to get a dog who might be agressive, or disobedient - he is a lovely natured dog.

ItchyFeet

Any chance of a picture? I love springers!

Lifeisbutadream

ItchyFeet wrote: »

Any chance of a picture? I love springers!

On my avvie! he was just a baby then - 6 months old