New Lurcher Owners

[impgrrrl]

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Hello!

This is my first post here! We recently (two days ago!) adopted an 18month old lurcher from a rescue. He is lovely and very intelligent (he has already learned how to open the doors inward!). He walks well on the lead but i wish we could let him run a bit and stretch his legs. What is the best way for us to do this with him, without having to let him off the lead, or him injuring himself by running but then being pulled to a stop by the end of the lead?

No doubt i'll have a few more posts yet. Its a bit of a learning curve all round

Thanks

Loki's Mum

 

[posh totty]

hi there and welcome to the forum :huggles:

have you a secure fenced off area you could let him off to do safe recall training , everytime he comes back , lots of praise and a yummy treat, repeat repeat repeat and im sure soon you will have him off lead and with you having fun :thumbsup:

 

[nicky12]

helloo ther and welcome to k9 as tanya said try find a secure field to let him run in any pics of your baby ,i can see a little pic you have up but any bigger ones ,were picy mad on here

 

[impgrrrl]

helloo ther and welcome to k9 as tanya said try find a secure field to let him run in any pics of your baby ,i can see a little pic you have up but any bigger ones ,were picy mad on here

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I didn't have many to start off with as he was pretty scared and i didn't want to traumatise the poor boy by putting a camera in his face!! But he's *much* happier now and i took some pictures

What?

*yawn*

The two scruffy boys

 

[nicky12]

aww what a gorguse face he has hes gorguse :wub: :wub: were abouts you from ,always on the look out for peeps near me im in south wales

 

[pepa]

wellcome to K9

hes a very handsome boy

we all look forward to seeing more of him. :huggles:

 

[impgrrrl]

aww what a gorguse face he has hes gorguse  :wub:   :wub: were abouts you from ,always on the look out for peeps near me im in south wales 

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Thank you We're in Scotland i'm afraid, a bit far away from wales unfortunately!!

 

[Zephyr]

What a stunning boy! :wub: Very best of luck with him. :luck:

I find a gundog whistle really good for training a recall, as it takes the emotion out of it, and you don't find yourself shouting at him if he gets it wrong! Start off in the house for a few days; a few peeps of the whistle and some really scrummy titbits (I use cubes of cheese and ham), and I find that the recall when out is brilliant! Keep whistling him back regularly when out and giving him a tasty reward and lots of praise, and he'll learn that you are good to come back to! :thumbsup: :luck:

 

[grendel]

I second Zephyr with a whistle. I use the standard Acme dog whistle as it is very easy to use. To be honest I'm not keen to attract unwanted attention :- " so my dog responds well to hand signals and whispers but the whistle is brilliant for when I need him back right now. With a running dog they can be out of sight and your shouting range in a matter of seconds.

Three quick pips every time you feed him so he starts associating the whistle with food and treats. Then put him on a long training line but keep it quite short. Use your normal recall command plus hand signals (I use both arms outstretched) and when he's coming back give 3 pips. Extend the length of line and keep training until you feel confident to take the lead off. If you have to physically pull him towards you give the whistle while you are pulling and as per any training method loads of praise when he gets to you.

My mate whistle trained a 12 year old rescue Jack Russell which proves you can teach an older dog new tricks.

You might also enjoy Jackie Drakeford's House Lurcher book.

 

[bappit]

^^^ All of the above are very valid posts...ah and he is gorgeous as is obvious! :wub:

My own input is to take it steady and SLOWLY:

As much as he is lovely and should be allowed free running, in time, you have to go back to treating him as a wee pup, getting him to come when you call and making that interesting and fun, allowing him to sleep and chill out, then constantly reinforcing 'the game' by whatever means you choose in the confines he is becoming used to, in the two/three days he has been with you he's checked you out more than you him! :lol:

Very, very slowly, if you have a garden or can get access to a high fenced in area...basketball/tennis court ( :- " ) thats where to extend 'the game' - you will reap the rewards as basically what you will be doing is letting him attend playschool, with a view to nursery, progressing to primary etc...letting him off lead in an open area now would be like letting a young lad loose in a Uni bar!

If I am not being too nosey what region are you in Scotland?

(BTW the Irn Bru bottle was a give away in the pictures :lol: )

:cheers:

Sheena

 

[Schmick]

Hi also a new member seeing if this works

 

[gabbitas31]

Welcome to K9, good luck with your new dog. :thumbsup: Diane

 

[impgrrrl]

Thanks every one for the help and advice, its appreciated!! I'm going back to the pet shop today for a couple of bits and pieces (some new toys being one, seeing as he was just eating the string off his rope toy!) so i'll keep an eye out for a whistle and maybe a clicker or something

If I am not being too nosey  what region are you in Scotland? (BTW the Irn Bru bottle was a give away in the pictures :lol: )

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Lol! Yeah i suppose it is a bit!! We're in Perth

 

[howling good time]

welcome to the site.