Another one for the dog behaviourists
Discussion
We rehomed Duffy, a GSD said to be c. 4 years old, just over 5 months ago now. There was no history with her at all - she was a stray. In that time, we have learnt what she likes and dislikes, and her likewise. We've taken her to training classes regularly, and she's generally settled in very very nicely. The classes we went to were run by a BiB dog handler, who privately advised us that Duffy was one of the nicest, most trainable dogs he had met - indeed, one which he said he would be happy to give a home to himself.
She's very responsive to all the standard control procedures (sit, down, stand, stay, etc), always sits for her food and waits to be given permission to eat. I can also sit her in the lounge, throw three or four treats randomly around the room, and she'll wait to be told which one she can have, one by one, before moving. This is all just to paint a picture of her general behaviour.
When we first had her, we walked her on the lead while we worked on recall training. Once we were happy with this, we let her run. Her recall has been good, provided there wasn't a rabbit or squirrel anywhere nearby, and I have progressed to whistle-training, which she responded similarly well to. Recently, I started working on long-distance whistle control (ie, for her to get into the down position when instructed by whistle). Early days on that one, she hasn't quite got it yet.
Recently, however, her recall has all but disappeared. Even with her only 10 ft away, and a treat in hand, she completely and utterly ignores the recall. This has been going on for 10 days or so. My response to her ignoring this has been to put her back on the lead and to complete the rest of the walk on a very short lead, her head at my thigh, to try and assert some dominance. No complaints from her, although clearly she's rather be bimbling around and having a sniff.
I'm more dominant with the dog than MrsC is, (not in a bad way - but I don't crawl around on the floor and play with her on her bed, I don't allow her through doors before me, etc etc) and she's always responded better to me. MrsC wonders whether Duffy is a little unwell. No other signs of that though; I suspect she's just trying it on, but I don't know why and short of returning completely to basics, I can't find a quick fix for this disobedience.
The only other point to possibly consider is that although we were told that she was about 4 years old, I suspect she may be older. Greyer around the muzzle than you might expect, grunts and groans a bit when getting up from her bed (she has a much straighter back than the breed standard, so I'm not particularly expecting serious dysplasia issues) and she seems to sometimes get more out of breath on walks than I would expect a 4 year old to do. Never stops her though.
Anyone any thoughts or ideas?
She's very responsive to all the standard control procedures (sit, down, stand, stay, etc), always sits for her food and waits to be given permission to eat. I can also sit her in the lounge, throw three or four treats randomly around the room, and she'll wait to be told which one she can have, one by one, before moving. This is all just to paint a picture of her general behaviour.
When we first had her, we walked her on the lead while we worked on recall training. Once we were happy with this, we let her run. Her recall has been good, provided there wasn't a rabbit or squirrel anywhere nearby, and I have progressed to whistle-training, which she responded similarly well to. Recently, I started working on long-distance whistle control (ie, for her to get into the down position when instructed by whistle). Early days on that one, she hasn't quite got it yet.
Recently, however, her recall has all but disappeared. Even with her only 10 ft away, and a treat in hand, she completely and utterly ignores the recall. This has been going on for 10 days or so. My response to her ignoring this has been to put her back on the lead and to complete the rest of the walk on a very short lead, her head at my thigh, to try and assert some dominance. No complaints from her, although clearly she's rather be bimbling around and having a sniff.
I'm more dominant with the dog than MrsC is, (not in a bad way - but I don't crawl around on the floor and play with her on her bed, I don't allow her through doors before me, etc etc) and she's always responded better to me. MrsC wonders whether Duffy is a little unwell. No other signs of that though; I suspect she's just trying it on, but I don't know why and short of returning completely to basics, I can't find a quick fix for this disobedience.
The only other point to possibly consider is that although we were told that she was about 4 years old, I suspect she may be older. Greyer around the muzzle than you might expect, grunts and groans a bit when getting up from her bed (she has a much straighter back than the breed standard, so I'm not particularly expecting serious dysplasia issues) and she seems to sometimes get more out of breath on walks than I would expect a 4 year old to do. Never stops her though.
Anyone any thoughts or ideas?
Your boring.
No seriously, your boring.
Dont' believe me?
Read this www.dog-secrets.co.uk
For actually recall and what not read this
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/?s=recall&x=0&...
No seriously, your boring.
Dont' believe me?
Read this www.dog-secrets.co.uk
For actually recall and what not read this
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/?s=recall&x=0&...
Edited by Mr Darcy on Friday 20th August 15:55
A dog responding to recall should always be greeted with copious amounts of praise. If you stop doing this because you think she has it down to a tea, she will stop doing it as it is not fun anymore, or because you don't praise her.
Could this be possible? You don't mention praising her anywhere, so thought I would mention it
I personally wouldn't class a treat as praise btw, I've always found dogs to react much better to a good old fuss and excitable voice at a job well done.
Could this be possible? You don't mention praising her anywhere, so thought I would mention it
I personally wouldn't class a treat as praise btw, I've always found dogs to react much better to a good old fuss and excitable voice at a job well done.Edited by Shannon Mac on Saturday 21st August 05:56
Mr Darcy said:
Your boring.
No seriously, your boring.
Dont' believe me?
Read this www.dog-secrets.co.uk
For actually recall and what not read this
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/?s=recall&x=0&...
At first I thought how rude! Then I clicked and read a bit No seriously, your boring.
Dont' believe me?
Read this www.dog-secrets.co.uk
For actually recall and what not read this
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/?s=recall&x=0&...
Edited by Mr Darcy on Friday 20th August 15:55
Great site. Hope it's useful OP
Shannon Mac said:
A dog responding to recall should always be greeted with copious amounts of praise. If you stop doing this because you think she has it down to a tea, she will stop doing it as it is not fun anymore, or because you don't praise her.
Could this be possible? You don't mention praising her anywhere, so thought I would mention it I personally wouldn't class a treat as praise btw, I've always found dogs to react much better to a good old fuss and excitable voice at a job well done.
+1 - never used treats with my dogs. My spaniel will not go through a gate or similar before me - its a personal preference I guess but sometimes it can be safety led as he clears 5 bar gates & fences etc with no trouble at all & I like to see whats on the other side 1st. Good luck anyway.Could this be possible? You don't mention praising her anywhere, so thought I would mention it
I personally wouldn't class a treat as praise btw, I've always found dogs to react much better to a good old fuss and excitable voice at a job well done.Edited by Shannon Mac on Saturday 21st August 05:56
Go back to basics with recall training and make coming back to you fun, even if that means jumping around and making silly noises etc, food not always incentive enough esp if other smells etc.
I have a whippet who won't run away but can be slow to come back occ, I solve that by e.g. crouchind down, pretending to run in the other direction, calling his name in an excited voice. Rarely fails!
Oh and the doors thing etc really not necessary unless you knowlingly have a dominant dog, jimmy is usually fed before us, allowed through doors we play on the floor with him he's allowed on settee etc but on our say so. However he has no interest in trying to be top dog etc
I have a whippet who won't run away but can be slow to come back occ, I solve that by e.g. crouchind down, pretending to run in the other direction, calling his name in an excited voice. Rarely fails!
Oh and the doors thing etc really not necessary unless you knowlingly have a dominant dog, jimmy is usually fed before us, allowed through doors we play on the floor with him he's allowed on settee etc but on our say so. However he has no interest in trying to be top dog etc
Edited by becksW on Saturday 21st August 11:13
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.
Just to clarify - I'm not dominant with the dog to the point of excluding any fun and affection. I just maintain a level of alpha-status with her, which (to my mind) is necessary in a large breed, particularly a herding/guarding breed, and even more particularly a rescue stray of that breed with no history. But we have a lot of fun too, and we play a lot, although perhaps separate from walk times.
I can see the boredom thing - maybe I trained her too clinically to return on the whistle. We went out this morning and did some mild recall training, no toys, no treats, no whistle, just me & her, and a lot of fuss when she returned, and she was definitely more responsive. I'll take that point on board and work on it.
Just to clarify - I'm not dominant with the dog to the point of excluding any fun and affection. I just maintain a level of alpha-status with her, which (to my mind) is necessary in a large breed, particularly a herding/guarding breed, and even more particularly a rescue stray of that breed with no history. But we have a lot of fun too, and we play a lot, although perhaps separate from walk times.
I can see the boredom thing - maybe I trained her too clinically to return on the whistle. We went out this morning and did some mild recall training, no toys, no treats, no whistle, just me & her, and a lot of fuss when she returned, and she was definitely more responsive. I'll take that point on board and work on it.
Tiggsy said:
Wow....I cant imagine what it's like to live with a pet dog like that? Not going through doors behind them, them not eating sweets the second they hit the floor. Havent had a lead near mine in years.
Not entirely sure what your point is here, but if you're referring to the game where I throw treats around the room and then tell her where to go and when, well, she loves this. The way she bounds around, tail wagging, taking a treat then looking at me to ask which one's next, it's very clear that she is enjoying herself. And the doors thing - see above. I'm not saying that's completely exclusive, but if she & I are heading for the same door at the same time, I go first. And she knows she's not allowed out of the front door without, or before, me. Helps when you have a visitor at the door - I go to the door, she stands behind me rather than getting all excited at the visitor.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff