Chasing and barking

[joanna84]

Hi, Daisy has started barking at strangers (occasionally other dogs) and chasing joggers!!    I just wondered if you have any good advice on this as we have now had a couple of angry passers by shouting at her, me & OH - some more angry than others which is fair enough if they are trying to enjoy their jog but sometimes it's frustrating that they stop as if they carried on she would run back to us quicker.  Daisy is normally good with recall however when she has already started the chase or spots the passer by before me the recall goes out the window and I don't want to over use it so that she no longer responds to the command.
We have found the barking is when she is off lead and not as much on the lead.  We live next to the beach so you can imagine it is busy with joggers which makes it quite difficult and i don't want to have to keep her on leash all the time.  We really want to get this under control!  We feel like bad owners!!     Is it because she does not respect us that she carries on chasing and barking at them as if we are not there??   

[Sarah.H]

You need to stop her chasing as soon as possible before it becomes a real habit. If I was you I'd start training on a long line so she can't ignore you. There are excellent post on here regarding recall training and I'm sure there's a sticky thread with step by step instructions posted by Topbarks on the behaviour and training section. There is a great game you can play using clicker training, I think it's called Look at Me  . Basically when the dog looks at the object (the jogger) you click, the dog will then turn back to you for the reward, after a few repititions the dog will start to look at the object then straight back at you before you've clicked - so you have trained your dog to turn and look at you when she sees a jogger  . Obviously you will have to get her used to a clicker and make sure you keep taken treats out with you to reward good behaviour.

[Karma]

Agree with what Sarah says...

Though just one point - if it's not a seriously ingrained habit if you were to run in the opposite direction making strange high pitched excited noises I bet she'd come running after you!!   

Honey went through a phase recently of chasing joggers, after she'd been startled by a couple... fortunately for us she has good recall and distance control, so whenever I saw a jogger, I'd recall her (or just ask her to sit at the side of the path if there was enough space that I knew she wouldn't break the sit) and then reward her for that... so do work on the recall and an emergency sit or down for control at a distance.

[joanna84]

Thanks guys    I have printed off 'Top Barks' recall training and we're now using one of her favourite treats to work on it - started this evening.    Ham worked a treat - she would do somersault's for it    Will reward once with food then alternate with just praise alone etc so she doesn't just rely on food.  Generally she is good and doesn't go too far from us however I need to catch her in time before she starts the chase!!  Wish me luck 

[Karma]

While you are learning the behaviour, I would definately keep rewarding with food...
I always give a food reward for a good recall even now - Honey has had a pretty solid recall since she was young, but it's not something I ever take for granted.  We practise it at some point on most walks, and she always gets a good food treat (or her ball, which in her mind is even better).
If she does a poor recall (gets distracted or ignores me) I get her to me and just praise this - then I follow up with an easy recall for a good reward, just to keep the motivation up...

It's up to you if you want to phase out food treats in time, but while learning I would definately keep the rewards coming...
It's worth seeing if there is a toy/game she really enjoys which can be a recall reward, as I suspect for most dogs a bit of a fuss isn't going to compete with the thrill of chasing something... 

[Danni and Freya]

I agree with Karma, recall is so important for safety that I always use a food reward too

[mooching]

I also agree with Karma and Danni about *always* using a food treat for recall.

[Woodstock]

I use "Cheesy" which in non cocker language is a tube of Primula cheese - always carry it with me on walks and it's guaranteed to get instant attention! 

Bx

[mlynnf50]

I use "Cheesy" which in non cocker language is a tube of Primula cheese - always carry it with me on walks and it's guaranteed to get instant attention! 

Bx

What a good idea, i will try that now better than all bits of things in my pocket

[joanna84]

Sounds a good idea woodstock!    I always have bits and bobs in my pocket and sometimes i'll reach in to only one or two kibbles left so i'd have a better idea of stock with a tube!   

[Black Red + Yellow]

My hint for a reward is 'what's this?' - in a stooopid high squeaky voice   All 3 come and sit by my feet and gaze lovingly for their treat....seriously...it's not me they want at that particular moment eh!

[Top Barks]

I also agree with Karma and Danni about *always* using a food treat for recall.

Remember guys rewards don't always have to mean food.
Different dogs can find other stuff high value too, the trick is to find something your dog loves and use it, no matter what it might be.

[Top Barks]

Have a look at this
http://clickerleash.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/look-at-that-a-counterintuitive-approach-to-dealing-with-reactive-dogs/

[joanna84]

Thanks Top Barks, this looks a good technique.    We will get to work on this in the morning....unless Daisy wouldn't mind me rolling her out of bed to do some training now