Help with 1 year old english springer

StaffieTerrier

Youdontseeme wrote: »

Then how about just stopping when he pulls? I've seen Victoria do this too, stand still wait until he stops pulling, giving you that "Stooopid women come oooonnnn!!!!" look and when he's calm off you go. Repeat as necessary.

Again, there is a looking like a right t*** factor but I guess thems just the joys of dog owning.

PS: a brain deficiency??? Springers aren't daft, they are, I believe, what would be classed as eccentric in humans, very clever, no common sense and a bit odd!

This works with my Auntie's springer spaniel/border collie cross. I used to dog sit him and he wasn't used to walking on a lead (their house backed on to open fields). It didn't take long for him to realise if he pulled he didn't go anywhere.

Before we found out that this technique worked he had a head collar to stop him pulling. He worked out that if he walked backwards he could still pull. You get some very strange looks from passers by when your dog is walking backwards

aliasojo

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

Sorry but no, I dont take his training as seriously as my children's, he is a dog.

You should. In fact you should take it even more seriously simply because it's harder to train a dog than it is a child. You can reason with your children. Even if they play up, you know you can parent by example, by talking and reasoning with them, by encouraging them to reach the right action by themselves etc. They will grow into little people who will eventually think for themselves and be able to rationalise, determine right from wrong etc.

Dogs can't do that. You can't reason with them. If anything they need more input and more 'moulding' to get them to behave in the way you want them to. They do everything by instinct. They can be clever little blighters but not the same kind of 'clever' as a child is. They don't see right and wrong in the same way we do.

It's like the old 'men are from mars, women are from venus' thing all over again. Except it's humans and canines. You need to consider how the dog thinks and why it thinks it, in order to be able to change the behaviour.

Some dogs need more input than others. You are a busy person running a business as well as a family and the dog is a source of concern/irritation at the moment. I think the issue of whether you should have the dog or not was raised simply because of the amount of input this type of dog needs and the fact you have so much on your plate already and can't spend the extra time needed.

Given that the training can't be upped, your best bet is to find the least out of the evils with regards to collar types and try to get something that lessens the yanking on you. You can get small spring attachments from Pets at Home etc that clip on between the lead and the collar that act as a shock absorber. It obviously wont stop the dog pulling but it will lessen the jerking on your arm.

Lifeisbutadream

aliasojo wrote: »

You should. In fact you should take it even more seriously simply because it's harder to train a dog than it is a child. You can reason with your children. Even if they play up, you know you can parent by example, by talking and reasoning with them, by encouraging them to reach the right action by themselves etc. They will grow into little people who will eventually think for themselves and be able to rationalise, determine right from wrong etc.

I think Fire Fox was referring to me taking the children to sports and not the dog, but as I said in my other post it isnt an option, as they train for a club and my son is signed.

And I agree, I am going to have to live with what I have got - I certainly would not consider giving up the dog - it isnt an option.

aliasojo

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I think Fire Fox was referring to me taking the children to sports and not the dog, but as I said in my other post it isnt an option, as they train for a club and my son is signed.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

People are suggesting considering handing the dog back because there is nothing wrong with admitting you make a mistake. Breeders and rescues specifically write in the contract that the dog is to be returned not sold on because they recognise not every match works out, even with the best will in the world. You have said you don't have the time, mental energy or finances to take your dog's training as seriously as you do the childrens. Furthermore in the OP you gave every indication you are not enjoying having him, see emboldened....

I read that as a more general 'not having time' comment. I think most people are trying to get across just how time consuming training a dog is. It can take a lot of intensive input in order to get the desired behaviour.

You should have got a stuffed one. Or one with batteries. Cheaper too.

Lifeisbutadream

aliasojo wrote: »

You should have got a stuffed one. Or one with batteries. Cheaper too.

Nah.. a stuffed one wouldnt run out of the bushes with a branch stuck to his head and not even realise it was there

Fire_Fox

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

I often feel the same way about the kids!! I dont consider handing them back!! also he is a year old, I have had him 9 months, I doubt the breeder would accept him back now.

Sorry but no, I dont take his training as seriously as my children's, he is a dog.

As has been said, a good breeder will contract you to return the dog if circumstances change or things don't work out at any time after the adoption, even years. Good breeders have a waiting list of those looking to take on a returned older puppy or neutered ex-stud. Many people consider handing their pets back to the breeder or to a rescue; some are just plain lazy or deluded but many are loving enough to realise someone else can give their pet a better life.

A dog is a living creature, an adult responsibility and a member of your household not an object or a possession. You and your husband have a legal responsibility to provide it with a basic standard of care and a moral responsibility to provide it with more than that. Dogs can be diagnosed with anxiety, clinical depression and behavioural disorders just as we can, ask your vet.

Perhaps you feel this way about the dog and the children because of how stressed, overworked and overtired you are? Your children need relaxed parents with a PMA not a moody chauffeur, and pets do sense the tension or atmosphere. This will be affecting your long term physical health as well as your mental wellbeing. You have been given advice from many experienced owners and at least one trainer, much of which has been dismissed. We have suggested ways you can muti-task and make your children take more responsibility for the family dog, you could claim for a behaviourist on your pet insurance but the reality is you want a quick fix. :mad:

aliasojo

Fire_Fox wrote: »

.....you could claim for a behaviourist on your pet insurance....

Isn't that for cases of behaviour outwith the realms of 'normal' though?

So pulling etc wouldn't come under that, but fear agression for example would?

Not certain, mind.

Lifeisbutadream

Fire_Fox wrote: »

As has been said, a good breeder will contract you to return the dog if circumstances change or things don't work out at any time after the adoption, even years. Good breeders have a waiting list of those looking to take on a returned older puppy or neutered ex-stud. Many people consider handing their pets back to the breeder or to a rescue; some are just plain lazy or deluded but many are loving enough to realise someone else can give their pet a better life.

A dog is a living creature, an adult responsibility and a member of your household not an object or a possession. You and your husband have a legal responsibility to provide it with a basic standard of care and a moral responsibility to provide it with more than that. Dogs can be diagnosed with anxiety, clinical depression and behavioural disorders just as we can, ask your vet.

Perhaps you feel this way about the dog and the children because of how stressed, overworked and overtired you are? Your children need relaxed parents with a PMA not a moody chauffeur, and pets do sense the tension or atmosphere. This will be affecting your long term physical health as well as your mental wellbeing. You have been given advice from many experienced owners and at least one trainer, much of which has been dismissed. We have suggested ways you can muti-task and make your children take more responsibility for the family dog, you could claim for a behaviourist on your pet insurance but the reality is you want a quick fix. :mad:

Honesty I dont mean to be funny but where have I dismissed anything, or said that I want a quick fix?? I have said several times that I have had some good advice!! what more do you want????:(

I think you have made a decision about me that you are deciding to stick to whatever I say??

And moody chauffer?? you are joking arent you ??? I help train the children and when I dont do that I fund raise for the club. Dont let get in the way of what you think of me though. Sorry I cant be the dog owner that you want me to be, but believe me, there is a lot worse out there!

meritaten

Lifeisbutadream - try the halti or any other harness (dont bother with the body harnesses btw - it just allows them to put their shoulder muscles into it as well)! may I give you a few tips? put the harness on them while distracting them with a treat. let them get used to wearing it while you play with them for a short time. then clip the lead on and take them out the door. then make them stop and sit. if the dog lunges off call them back while holding on to the lead - my springer nearly did a somersault at this and was so surprised it enabled me to set off at a brisk walk. they will then go into their 'idiot dog' routine. each time you stop and wait until they look at you and then you set off again. Repeat as necessary. the first time the dog walks alongside you - praise and give a treat. upon which the dog will prob return to idiot mode. stop, when he is looking at you set off again............it took my Springer ten minutes of this before she got the idea and from then on was a joy to take on walks! Every walk would get her a treat for walking 'nicely'.
hope this helps (and I dont think you should hand your dog back - just get the walking sorted then work on other issues).

myway_2

Shaw to most this will sound silly, But going to ask anyway:D.
Do you keep him on a tight lead?. My springer pulled up until the day I lost him:(. I did find though the tighter the lead the harder he pulled, almost like he thought it was a game. But the same as your's would walk to heal off lead no problem. Glad to hear your not giving up on him though:D. Have you tried the training lead's you can have round your waist it did help abit with my boy.If it's any help even the best trained dog's will go where they're not ment to when your not around;).