« previous next »
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4

Author Topic: Chasing Cars  (Read 3931 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline MaxG

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1200
  • Gender: Female
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #15 on: June 27, 2006, 07:52:50 PM »
Caroline,

Sorry that I can't really offer any help with this one but just wanted to say don't beat yourself up about it - you're NOT crap & useless & it WILL get better at some point soon - just hang in there chick!! You sound really down about it & I can only imagine how you must feel - especially being without hubby at the moment, but he'll be home soon & then at least you'll have someone to share the stress with.  ;)
Logged
from Kath & 'Mad Max' !!

Offline cazza

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7245
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #16 on: June 27, 2006, 08:48:08 PM »
Quote from: MaxG on June 27, 2006, 07:52:50 PM
Caroline,

Sorry that I can't really offer any help with this one but just wanted to say don't beat yourself up about it - you're NOT crap & useless & it WILL get better at some point soon - just hang in there chick!! You sound really down about it & I can only imagine how you must feel - especially being without hubby at the moment, but he'll be home soon & then at least you'll have someone to share the stress with.  ;)

She actually didn't too bad today altho noticed that if a lorry went past that left a draft after it she would pull in behind me, but a car she just followed today with eyes and head and not actually lunged, so progress is being made ;)


Edited to say - sorry what a twit I am had a senile moment - you didn't post that to me  sorry
Logged

Offline Top Barks

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5234
  • Gender: Male
    • http://www.topbarks.co.uk
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #17 on: June 27, 2006, 10:31:15 PM »
Caroline, as has already been metioned do not beat yourself up about this
You are doing the right thing trying to seek solutions to your problems and I do believe a local behaviourist who can see first hand your situation should be able to help.
Go for a harness without doubt as it is important when working with a reactive dog you need to feel that you can manouver your dog out of any situation.
I have just bought Ruffwear harness's for my three and with a double ended lead attached to a head collar or flat collar as well gives me what I call power steering.
Never tried the Sporn, but some on here seem to like it so it must be ok.
Maybe Ttouch might help as well although I'm not sure if you have a local practitioner.
Best of luck and stick with it
Mark
 
Logged

Mark Sanderson BSc Hons (canine behaviour), FdSc CBT, CAP 1, CAP 2
Member of The Association Of Pet Dog Trainers (00977)
 
Check out my website http://www.topbarks.co.uk/  www.yorkdogtrainer.co.uk

Offline Nicola

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16455
  • Gender: Female
  • FTCh Caoimhe
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #18 on: June 28, 2006, 10:08:57 AM »
Quote from: suki1964 on June 27, 2006, 06:36:44 PM
Quote from: Nicola on June 27, 2006, 05:01:39 PM
My stepdad has suggested The Sheiling Canine Training and Behaviour Centre. It's in Newtownards but they do home visits and 1-to-1s so they should be able to come to you.

The contact is John Wilson and it's john.wilson@uku.co.uk 

He doesn't know this guy personally but he's heard about them from other people with dogs... Hope it helps!  ;)

Nicola, you are a star - thankyou :)

I shall get in touch ASAP.


No problem, I really do hope they can help you, let us know!
Logged
Nicola, Tilly, Rodaidh and Caoimhe x



http://www.flickr.com/photos/30049807@N08/

Offline *jean*

  • Donator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3936
  • Gender: Female
  • who need s pills when you have pals ?
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #19 on: June 28, 2006, 06:22:37 PM »
my OH,s collie pup started biting car tyres and tries to chase cars tractors the quad you name it . hes been run over by the quad on soft ground luckily he leapt up unhurt and went back to tyre biting straight away. we were advised to desensitise him so mike leaves tractor running and sits with the collie and distracts him . he also has to sit by a bench on the main village road and as the cars keep passing the dog eventually was losing interest. mike rewarded him only for lying quietly .
its really hard work and with a collie who is v strong ...well he will have to pesevere as this dog is for working sheep not rounding up cars.
 ive not heard of spaniels chasing cars before are they show or working strain?
 good luck, jean. :blink:
Logged

Offline *jean*

  • Donator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3936
  • Gender: Female
  • who need s pills when you have pals ?
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #20 on: June 28, 2006, 06:32:08 PM »
I forgot to say a haltie helps as well as you have control of your dogs head and your arms wont get pulled out of your sockets.
 after all, if you can control a racehorse with a headcollar the same principle will apply to a dog . I have one for my sprocker and its a shoulder saver. shes a brat to pull at times. you will crack it. hopefully so will mike my OH. his dog is 11 months old now and just a nonsense at times. good luck.
Logged

Offline suki1964

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1980
  • Gender: Female
  • Look mum - no legs :)
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #21 on: June 29, 2006, 09:24:05 PM »
Thanks for the support guys, I really needed it - a real tough couple of days.

Anyway an update.

Spent yesterday just taking him out to the road, keeping him on a very short lead and on the inside (my weakest side) as best I could, If we saw an oncoming car I turned, if one came up behind I stayed on track till it just passed us then I turned.

Some success, maybe he stayed with all four paws on the ground about 2 out of 10 attempts so not a complete failure.

Today in the lane this morning I was lucky in that the district nuse was visiting just as I reached where she was going to be stopping. I managed to keep him at my side. all four paws on the ground while she pulled up and parked. We also managed to pass two delivery lorries without too much stress and another parked lorry he managed to stay calm whilst I chatted to the driver.

Popped out to buy a harness this afternoon. What a difference already :)

Still tried to lunge at the cars but couldnt gain enough leaverage so had to make do with barking :) A nice sedate walk to the field, then coming back down the lane, once again done the about turns when cars came and he was pretty good, gave up a lot quicker then usual. Then to top the lot managed to sit at the top of the lane for 20 mins whilst I chatted with a neighbour:) He did start by getting primed for the cars but soon gave up and just sat there as good as gold and a very sedate walk back to the house with barely a backward glance at the cars :)

So although I know the harness isnt the be all and end all, at least I know I can control him a lot better so am in myself a lot calmer. Lots of work to go as I do want him back onlead walking nicely again. Ive gone totally against my own advice and brought a load of highly processed treats (extremely high value in his eyes) to use to keep him focussed on me and am clickering like its gone out of fashion, if he even looks at me he gets a click and a treat - poor horse in the field next door is getting mightly confused :)
Logged
Caroline and Alfie

Offline *Jay*

  • Donator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8948
  • Gender: Female
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #22 on: June 29, 2006, 10:12:59 PM »
Sounds like you have made great progress Caroline - well done :shades:
Logged
Dallas ( 10) & Disney ( 9 )

Playing at the Bridge: Brook (13/06/04), Jackson (23/12/05) & Vegas (14/07/10)

Offline cazza

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7245
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #23 on: June 29, 2006, 10:25:02 PM »
Caroline that is fantastic you seem to have come on leaps and bounds, keep up the hard work I'm sure it'll pay dividends ;)

I'm getting results too but not as good as yours, you must be better than me ;)
Logged

Offline Jan/Billy

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5187
  • Gender: Female
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #24 on: June 29, 2006, 10:43:11 PM »
Sorry I missed this caroline :embarassed:. You have been working very hard, I'm sure you will get there in the end. Don't beat yourself up, alfie is Very lucky to have such a loving & patient owner like you  ;)
Logged


Offline suki1964

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1980
  • Gender: Female
  • Look mum - no legs :)
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #25 on: June 29, 2006, 10:51:40 PM »
Quote from: Gill on June 29, 2006, 10:12:59 PM
Sounds like you have made great progress Caroline - well done :shades:

Thanks Gill, I feel like Ive made some progress which is helping me keep at it :)

Quote from: cazza on June 29, 2006, 10:25:02 PM
Caroline that is fantastic you seem to have come on leaps and bounds, keep up the hard work I'm sure it'll pay dividends ;)

I'm getting results too but not as good as yours, you must be better than me ;)

Caroline Ive been at it every couple of hours since last week  -  not better but have just about put the rest of my life on hold :) Im really glad you are getting results. Im sorry I never aknowledged you in this thread :( I was just so upset and caught up with my own stuff - so rude of me.

I am finding the harness a great help - once i got the hang of it. First time out I hadnt it adjusted properly so the minute he lunged he managed to catch me on the hop, I tripped,trod on his foot and proceeded to spill a bag of treats all over the verge :rofl1: :rofl1: Alfie didnt know whether to carry on barking at the cars or snaffle up all the treats he could so done his best to do both at the same time :)

Logged
Caroline and Alfie

Offline cazza

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7245
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #26 on: June 30, 2006, 08:18:41 AM »
Quote from: suki1964 on June 29, 2006, 10:51:40 PM
Caroline Ive been at it every couple of hours since last week  -  not better but have just about put the rest of my life on hold :) Im really glad you are getting results. Im sorry I never aknowledged you in this thread :( I was just so upset and caught up with my own stuff - so rude of me.

I am finding the harness a great help - once i got the hang of it. First time out I hadnt it adjusted properly so the minute he lunged he managed to catch me on the hop, I tripped,trod on his foot and proceeded to spill a bag of treats all over the verge :rofl1: :rofl1: Alfie didnt know whether to carry on barking at the cars or snaffle up all the treats he could so done his best to do both at the same time :)

Hi Caroline, you are totally dedicated and putting the rest of your life on hold is a short price to pay with the results you are getting,  ;)
You are not rude, sometimes we just get bogged down with what is going on in our own little worlds ;)
I must put more work in too and now the kids have finished school for the summer hols it should be easier as they can take Jock so I can do more one to one with madam. I walk them together once a day and that is hard to do any training, but I want them used to going out together as well ;)

Well keep up your good work you've made great progress, just try not to trip and spill to many treats or he'll cotton on to how to get them without being good ;)

Out of curiosity which harness did you get? I think you said you want him back on the lead eventually, I'm also a collar and lead person, but would be willing to give a harness a go

Logged

Offline suki1964

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1980
  • Gender: Female
  • Look mum - no legs :)
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #27 on: June 30, 2006, 08:29:43 AM »
I think you are right to be taking her out on her own a couple of times a day, even if its just to the corner of the road and back - my neighbours must think Im on sentry duty atm :)

The harness was just one out of PAH, a Hi tech stop pull. They only had two to choose from (or a halti) and this one had the widest webbing and was padded on the leg straps. Unfortunately it has to go back today cos its stated to come apart half way up a strap. Must have been faulty as no way should it have given where it has done. Oh and I did get confirmation that i could return it if I had no joy with it before I left the shop :)

I dont want to walk him forever on a harness mainly because he has a very fuzzy coat and matts at a blink of an eye - and destests being groomed. Just dont want to "solve" one problem just to make another worse. Besides he does actually know how to walk on a lead, behaviour which I realise had gone to pot since I started to use the extending lead.

Anyway a quick read of the forum whilst I finish my coffee and once more back to the challange :)

Good luck
Logged
Caroline and Alfie

Offline cazza

  • Site Member
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7245
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #28 on: June 30, 2006, 09:09:17 AM »
Cheers Caroline, I'm off to PAH today, something to do as our elec going off plus I need more dog food,

Good luck returning the harness, and I agree about solving one problem and not wanting to make another worse.
Off for our seperate walks now, Kids just getting their shoes on and they gonna take Jock, I'll watch them go till they get off the road and then take Fern and meet them in the field ;)
Logged

Penel

  • Guest
Re: Chasing Cars
« Reply #29 on: June 30, 2006, 11:59:34 AM »
Hi Caroline,
sorry I managed to miss this too - poor you - what a nightmare.
If I had read this a few days ago I would have said, stop taking him out for a couple of weeks.  You have a huge garden there - so train him in the garden, and play with him - to take away the habit forming thing - and anticipation of chasing cars.... Also would have said stop using extended lead, put him on a harness, and use a double ended lead - one end on harness, one end on collar... Clicker train him in the garden so that when he *hears* a car he looks at you, click and treat..... then stand nearer the road - do the same - then after a few weeks of him being perfect at this, you venture out onto the lane....for like a minute - one car goes past - you succeed, then you go back in.  He will not suffer from no walks for a couple of weeks, it will reduce the stress levels - for you too.
Logged
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4
« previous next »