Help With Lurcher Obedience

[birdie]

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I have a 6 month old lurcher who will not obey apart from sit. Everytime the front door is opened he is out and he will not come back. I need help as I have a 4 year old son with learning difficulties who does not understand, HELP

 

[Paid]

Try recall training using a 20m lenght of strong string (were gloves as the string can cut into your hand with a boystrouse dog)

Then, using treats and fussing try calling your dog to you, once he returns he gets a treat, if you have to pull him back by use of the string, he should get no treat, no fuss, but also not be told off.

Try an hour a day of this for a few months and hopfully you should slowly regain control of the dog.

Make sure you call him using the same call, and only do it once, if no return, then reel him back to you.

p.s good luck, it might take a while, but the work will pay off.

 

[birdie]

Try recall training using a 20m lenght of strong string (were gloves as the string can cut into your hand with a boystrouse dog)
Then, using treats and fussing try calling your dog to you, once he returns he gets a treat, if you have to pull him back by use of the string, he should get no treat, no fuss, but also not be told off.

Try an hour a day of this for a few months and hopfully you should slowly regain control of the dog.

Make sure you call him using the same call, and only do it once, if no return, then reel him back to you.

p.s good luck, it might take a while, but the work will pay off.

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I have already tried this to no avail. I have been doing this training for at least 2 months now.

 

[bappit]

Is he food motivated? Most training techniques focus on food reward and a lot of sighthounds dont really respond to that.

Have you looked into using Jan Fennel ("the dog listener" books or dvd's?), kind of takes things in baby steps...really have to stick to the methods used, but they do work. :thumbsup:

Have to say i've mainly taken on adult dogs who were ready trained to a degree :teehee: Well do I know the frustration of young dogs being selectively deaf :clown: (and an adult bitch here who is well skilled in the dark art when it suits her :rant: ). Tough going when dealing with young children too I know.

Hard as it may be I'd start with never allowing him to get into the position of getting out (even if that means shutting/locking him in another part of the house when your son is wandering around leaving doors open), at 6 months he really is just a baby himself and its probably a great game being chased all over...best bit of advice anyone ever gave me is never chase a leggy hound-get it to chase you!

...I'd try to get him to chase in the house first, making a big fuss of him when he 'catches' you, also keep training sessions short and fun, few minutes repetition half dozen times through the day, worth a solid half hour that'll never keep his attention...when he's established what great fun that is try it in a very small enclosed outdoor space...alright you'll maybe look a right kit kat running around outside, but he'll probably catch on...if he does'nt then its back on with the lead! How can that be done? With luck you'll have chosen a space he cant escape from...so just naff off and leave him a few minutes...he'll be pleased to see you when he's gotten bored on his own...so will probably come to you no problem. Back to square 1 in the house, then try again till the penny drops. Hope that's of some use? :thumbsup:

Let us know how he progresses however you tackle the problem :luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[Loopy]

All the above advice + is there anywhere you can put up a babygate to keep him

away from the front door except when going out for a walk? Double lock the door as well so your son can't open it.

How often do you take him out for a walk and for how long? Maybe he just needs more exercise than he's currently getting.

I take my 2 (1yr & 18 weeks) for a quick half hour in the morning and out again

for an hour in the evening which will have to be switched to lunchtime when it gets too dark after work.

I find that seems to be enough and they sleep most of the rest of the day.

They are both offlead for these walks so race around and tire themselves out!

Perhaps you could go for walks with a friend who has a dog (that comes back) as that should tire him out and make life easier.

Best of Luck!

 

[bappit]

Oh forgot to add...to last post a little bit of sage advice (did not originate from me :lol: ), try to think of your favourite subject in school...and least favourite...go on picture the scene ...............ok then...your there now!

Right then... odds are that the teacher of your favourite subject was enthusiastic and full of compliments and such glee at every little attempt, you only want to please more... it naturally follows, to develop your knowledge and skills which your becoming confident in and so please that giving teacher.... Good guess now that least favourite was tesky, impatient and unappeciative of any attempt you made.

I would be banned from ever keeping a dog again for the curses uttered both mentally and under my breath in my time ...however, they were never fulfilled and great fuss made of any positive action by the dog, all down to the tone of voice...yes I have in a sweet voice (in trying times), told the hound before me exactly what I was threatening before its return as it delighted in all the fuss made of it eventually responding... :lol: oh ,dear I've taken that too far . But such are my ways with these adoreable dogs that are not really difficult at all, we all need to learn and develop in a positive environment :thumbsup: Catch more wasps with syrup than with vinegar :lol:

With such a young hound the page is unwritten...make sure he does'nt blot it with lack of direction and encouragement :luck: can be done easily with little effort and lots of love.