Not enjoying walks at the moment

[sarahR]

 I,m not enjoying walking at the moment.Ozzie who is 2 years and 3 months has become totally hedge obsessed. We used to be able to walk most places off lead and she would keep to the path or near it apart from the woods now all of a sudden she just dives into the nearest hedge and disappears totally ignoring us.Twice this last week she has veered off dived in and doesn't return for ages. Yesterday she shot through and was running across the next field and along the next hedge for ages. Which isn't ideal and I had to go and retrieve her. I have tried treats  I have been throwing a ball to keep her focused on us and she had it in her mouth yesterday whilst she disappeared. Having two dogs it is very hard to keep an eye on both at once. Then some days she is as good as gold. I just feel I can't relax at the moment.

[penguins87]

Know how you feel Sarah I have three to watch out for.

Each has there own little vices , rolling in horrid stuff , chasing bunnies, golf balls, squirrels and going deaf !

It's hard I have to go back to basics a lot .

I feel for you 

[Poo]

Totally understand too.  I also have 3 to look out for, must admit I have never walked all 3 on my own - yet, my hubbie is always with me.  It can be so frustrating when they go 'deaf'.  If one of mine won't come back I tend to start running the other way and making lots of noise and usually they panic and do an about turn and follow, doesn't always work though.  Or I start making a loud fuss of the other dogs and they think they're missing out on something and come back.

[spaniel04]

If this behaviour has only started recently then you have been quite lucky so far because usually spaniels start to get selective hearing when they hit the teenage phase and the hunting instinct really kicks in. You might need to use a long line and a harness for a while just to prevent any more free hunting and to be able to reinforce the recall. 

[Jonnydog]

I think a long line or extendinding lead. I had to do this with Penny during the teenage stage and practise recall with really good treats. Now she gets off the lead in selected places - those without too much cover. She still disappears off after birds but at least she comes back to the whistle (usually). It's not easy with two to keep an eye on!

[Ben's mum]

Then some days she is as good as gold. I just feel I can't relax at the moment.

You have my sympathies, its frustrating isn't it.  Harry at 3 for the most part is  and I get really confident that we have cracked it and then he gets distracted and sees something to chase like a pheasant and all my confidence goes out the window 
Do you use a long line?  I keep one on Harry all the time and it means I can stand on it if he does try to run off!  Before he came to us he had been allowed to run wild with no lead on at all chasing whatever he wanted, so he knows just how rewarding a good old chase can be.  I use the long line all the time and do whistle recall work on every walk for a short amount of time with high value treats.  I also work on keeping his attention by playing 'find it' with food in the long grass, he loves this and it focuses his concentration on me rather than looking for trouble  .  If I just want to have a good stroll and don't want the hassle then I keep hold of the long line and just enjoy it and he doesn't seem to mind.
 I can see massive improvements in  these last few months, this morning a pheasant flew up right under Ben and Harry's nose, Ben stated to run forward but I called him and he came straight back  what a star.  Harry was on his line thank goodness and ran forward, but it only took a few seconds to get his attention, where as a couple of months ago a distraction like that would have left him all wound up and unfocused for the rest of the walk.  I've rambled a bit haven't I sorry, but what I am trying to say is don't get too fed up, it will all come right, try along line and take some yummy treats 

[Sarah/G]

Hi Sarah,
would Ozzie benefit if you had a second ball with you, so that you could whip out ball number 2 to regain the focus on you,
as she did a runner while she had the ball, ball number two could be used as Bait maybe   

[sarahR]

Hi Sarah,
would Ozzie benefit if you had a second ball with you, so that you could whip out ball number 2 to regain the focus on you,
as she did a runner while she had the ball, ball number two could be used as Bait maybe   

Hi Sarah. I have two balls, Bag of tuna bread plus a bit kibble to throw in front of her. it literally happens in a split second. Practising recall and down like mad at the moment  Thanks

[Sarah/G]

Hi Sarah,
would Ozzie benefit if you had a second ball with you, so that you could whip out ball number 2 to regain the focus on you,
as she did a runner while she had the ball, ball number two could be used as Bait maybe   

Hi Sarah. I have two balls, Bag of tuna bread plus a bit kibble to throw in front of her. it literally happens in a split second. Practising recall and down like mad at the moment  Thanks

Aw Good luck, I hope you both crack this, and then get back to enjoying walks again 

[maddy74]

Would a squeaky toy and running in the other direction help?