Bolting for Home

Conyers Family · Rookie

Bolting for Home

greyflintstone · Master

Hi there Conyers family, and welcome to the Forum!

Wizard looks like a stunning dog!!

I hate to say it, but I think keeping him on the lead on the way home is the only way to keep him safe. Today he was lucky that the roads were empty, but what if they're not the next time? He might not like it, but it's probably better to have a dog in a huff than no dog at all.

Sorry if this sounds harsh!

Sharon

Jennifer · Master

greyflintstone wrote:
I hate to say it, but I think keeping him on the lead on the way home is the only way to keep him safe. Today he was lucky that the roads were empty, but what if they're not the next time? He might not like it, but it's probably better to have a dog in a huff than no dog at all.

Totally agree! You'd not only be being repsonsible and protecting him from being injured crossing roads, but you are endangering others - he could cause a car crash and people could be hurt. blankstare

max · Enlightened One

Personaly I would think keeping on lead for all of his walk would be better, he is taking liberties and streching them and needs to learn recall. I would start the call in the home again then in a secure area before taking it to the next level. Use favourite treats, toys etc. I find Cas takes things a bit to far when I get a bit slack with her orders and I have too reafirm her bounderies such as playing with toys when I say for example or me exiting the door or gate first . Hope this helps. smile

Nora

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Conyers Family - welcome to the forum! Wizard is very handsome - but he's inviting an accident bolting home, as I'm sure you know. I would keep practising recall in an enclosed area and only let him off the lead where you know he'll be safe.

I think Nora is right in saying that Wizard is testing his boundaries with you! You need to reassert your authority - let him see you pretend to eat from his bowl before you give him dinner and always go out the door before he does when you go for walks - and enter it before he does when you get back. I'm sure with continuing recall training and persistence in letting him know his place in the pack, Wizard will realise he's not in charge!

Viv Silverstein holds Training Sessions for GAL greyhounds. Perhaps if you send her a private message, she can help you further.

Good luck!

Christine

Conyers Family · Rookie

Thanks for all your responses.

The practical tips as to how to change/revert his behaviour are really helpful. We will be putting them all into practice from today.

Our routine had been to always be on the lead in places of danger and only allowed off in the park or canal side when safe. When he started bolting home along the canal within 50 yds of the house we started putting him on the lead before turning to come home and then the whole walk as he turned and decided to come home before us last week. His recall behaviour remained excellent in the park and he always responded to the command 'stand' at the point where I would put his lead on well before reaching the gates and busy roads. Yesterday shocked me to the core as he hovered at our usual safe spot in the park and then bolted.......all the way home. I have never felt so sick.

On reflection the warning bells should have rung for the park walks with the canal walks now all on the lead. I, perhaps stupidly, felt it was too far from home to trigger the same behaviour and thought that by walking the canal walk on the lead he was learning that running home was not permissible. We are starting with recall in the home and all walks on the lead at all times.

The implications of what might have happened plagued the rest of my day and my sleep last night- I need no reminders!

Once again, thank you for your help.

N

Valerie · Guru

I agree with Nora and Christine. Wizard is so comfortable he is now saying I'll make my own decisions, which is dangerous. I have Biscuit almost 100% recall after a session with Viv, and using really good tasty treats (hot dogs, chicken), and I can even say "lead on" to get him to come and get leashed because he knows the lead will also mean a tasty treat. This is miles ahead of where Biscuit used to be (saw the lead coming out, and ran in the opposite direction!)

As Nora said about Cas, I often have to reinforce behaviour and boundaries, as Biscuit will overstep if I go slack on him, and it's practice, practice all the time. Could be Wizard is getting very confident, which is lovely what you have done, but he may use it to his own detriment, if not controlled.

I'm sure if you practice at a certain point in the walk of leashing and treating, Wizard will soon learn a routine for the return home, but his recall has to be worked on. As Viv said to me - "you should be able to stop him dead in his tracks". Have to say I'm still working to that standard of perfection, but I'm much happier than I used to be with recall. smile

-- Edited by Valerie at 10:17, 2007-05-12