Help with 1 year old english springer

Caroline_a

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

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.

Most dogs who are aggressive or disobedient are down to the fault of the owner. Springers by their very nature tend to be quite manic, but as gun dogs do tend to have nice natures anyway, but.... they can be mischievous and sometimes difficult to train. You seem to have done well so far, so don't give up! The perfect family dog is actually the one that fits your family best - some people prefer small lap dogs, others large powerful ones, but the dog that is trained to do as you wish him to do is the best of all.

Lifeisbutadream

Caroline_a wrote: »

Most dogs who are aggressive or disobedient are down to the fault of the owner. Springers by their very nature tend to be quite manic, but as gun dogs do tend to have nice natures anyway, but.... they can be mischievous and sometimes difficult to train. You seem to have done well so far, so don't give up! The perfect family dog is actually the one that fits your family best - some people prefer small lap dogs, others large powerful ones, but the dog that is trained to do as you wish him to do is the best of all.

No I wont give up - I just get very down sometimes - same with everything really - I have a very stressful job, although am lucky enough to work from home - we got a dog in the first place so that I would 'have' to take a break from work - great in theory, but I need to enjoy that break!!!

I also use a dog walker twice a week, which is another added person to work on the lead problem...

lisawood78

Can I just add as a previous poster has mentioned.
Get a dogmatic :-) Of course you still need to persevere, and you still need to go back to basics with the lead training but with a dogmatic my 3 Great Danes, 2 of which walk like devil dogs without them walk like a dream, can not pull even if they want to and they are a much better design than the halti (IMHO) Soft leather, no riding up into the eyes, no chafing, fitting advice on the website and moneyback if you get the wrong size.
Good luck op

bagginslover

I'm not sure where you have the idea that all training clubs are expensive. Mine cost just £4.50 to join, and then £3 per session (max twice a week, though we only go once).

I do think you ought to seriously consider going to a club again. Yes it's time out of your life, yes it costs money, but would you prefer your dog stays the way he is now?! Same for the head collars, they are based on horses headcollars, as they take advantage of the weaker muscles, if you can control a horse with one, you can control a dog. I really do think you can't be using it right, a dog cannot pull with it's head facing the wrong way, if it doesn't turn his head, it's on wrong. Also, if used correctly, it should NEVER cause pain to the dog.

Training is a lifelong process. You can't train a dog to do something, then as soon as they have it down, stop practicing. You have to constantly reinforce their training. Again, this takes time, and if you aren't prepared to spend that time on your dog, you might want to consider if you can offer him the best home.

I also don't think children on 8 and 12 ought to be left in sole charge of a dig as powerful as yours seems to be, even if he were well behaved. Imagine if be spotted something he wanted to chase on the other side of the road, they'd have no chance. Even if they had the presence of mind to let go of his lead, imagine how bad they'd feel if he was hit by a car? It's not fair on THEM for you to put it on them. It IS fair that you walk him as you are the adult and you chose to adopt him.

Lifeisbutadream

Is it really the norm to suggest that people give their dogs away if they cannot be 'the perfect owner'???

Goodness if I had given up a child every time I made mistakes in parenting, I wouldn't have any left (although to be fair I only have two)

Seriously though, I am not and never will be a perfect dog owner - surely that doesnt mean that I shouldnt do it!!???

bagginslover

No it doesn't, but if you ask for advice and refuse to listen to any of it, this is the response you will get.

You have said several times in this thread that you aren't prepared to spend the time or money needed to turn your dog onto the kind of pet you want him to be, so you either put up with him this way, or rehome him. There is no quick fix with training a dog.

I know it's not what you want to hear, the fact that you completely ignored the rest of my post shows that, but it is the truth. You need to think more about what's fair for the one individual who had no choice-your dog.

Lifeisbutadream

bagginslover wrote: »

No it doesn't, but if you ask for advice and refuse to listen to any of it, this is the response you will get.

You have said several times in this thread that you aren't prepared to spend the time or money needed to turn your dog onto the kind of pet you want him to be, so you either put up with him this way, or rehome him. There is no quick fix with training a dog.

I know it's not what you want to hear, the fact that you completely ignored the rest of my post shows that, but it is the truth. You need to think more about what's fair for the one individual who had no choice-your dog.

Pardon??

Where have I refused to listen to advice? I have had some great advice !! Sorry what exactly would you like me to do? fall at your feet kissing your toes with gratitude???

I havent ignored the rest of your post either - its just that you are the second person to suggest that I rehome my dog, which I think it weird. Can you imagine someone going onto a thread where someone has asked about childcare advice, only to be greeted with a suggestion that the parent get the child adopted!

diggle

Lifeisbutadream,
It would seem from your posts that you were hoping your dog would have learnt a few basic commands by now ,but has not.
Dogsbody made some good points,worth following,and even though you have tried a halti there are several different types on the market you have perhaps just not found the right one.
I do not wish to sound harsh but maybe with hindsight a different breed of dog may have been more suitable for you and your family[i am assuming you did some research on springers before purchasing]as you say you have no wish to give the dog up.so onwards and upwards get the training done a.s.a.p.you are probably closer than you think to the best family dog.good luck x

bagginslover

I agree, people wouldn't suggest that someone give up a child, but a dog isn't a child, and shouldn't be treated like one.

I'm glad (honestly I am) that you think the advice you have been given is excellent, because all I've seen is you saying 'tried that' , 'too expensive' or 'don't have time'. I agree the advice gas been excellent, but as yet, you've nit said you are prepared to try out anything-hence my further suggestion that yours might not be the right home for your dog. I don't want you anywhere near my toes thank you, but then I do have a foot phobia

How exactly is your dog able to pull wearing a Halti? Which way is his head facing, where do you attach the lead?
When he pulls, what do you do? Pull back? Let him go faster in the same direction? Stop and turn around?
When you find your dog in areas that he's not allowed, what do you do?

Arguing over my advice won't help you, but more details might

Lifeisbutadream

bagginslover wrote: »

I agree, people wouldn't suggest that someone give up a child, but a dog isn't a child, and shouldn't be treated like one.

I'm glad (honestly I am) that you think the advice you have been given is excellent, because all I've seen is you saying 'tried that' , 'too expensive' or 'don't have time'. I agree the advice gas been excellent, but as yet, you've nit said you are prepared to try out anything-hence my further suggestion that yours might not be the right home for your dog. I don't want you anywhere near my toes thank you, but then I do have a foot phobia

How exactly is your dog able to pull wearing a Halti? Which way is his head facing, where do you attach the lead?
When he pulls, what do you do? Pull back? Let him go faster in the same direction? Stop and turn around?
When you find your dog in areas that he's not allowed, what do you do?

Arguing over my advice won't help you, but more details might

No, a dog isnt a child - its a dog! IMO all the more reason not to encourage someone to give up on them - there is not a social services for dogs, nor is there an unlimited amount of homes for unwanted ones!

I wasnt aware that I was 'arguing' over your advice - I am sorry if you feel I am not giving you the answers that you would like , but it seems pointless to not mention it if I have already tried something?? If I am not around at the times the dog training classes are on, there is not a lot I can do about it really!! I am sure that I would get more stick if I were out at work all day and leaving my dog alone...

Vax2002 has given me some excellent insight as to why my dog does some of the things he does - perhaps he/she realises that sometimes people can get very down about things and perhaps need a lift to help them on their way.