Our new pup
1. THE CHASING! I love to walk our girl but she has recently started chasing EVERYTHING. She is a well-mannered little walker until...squirrel, rabbit, kids, sticks, blowing leaves or most frighteningly - CARS. I've tried distractions that work once or twice and then she's pulling like a madwoman. I walk her in the morning and at night and I tend to find it worse in the evenings (although it could be because my hubs is in charge...  )2. Jumping. When we brought Iz home 3 months ago, she was the epitome well behaved, almost frightenly so. She's a great sitter, layer, paw giver and will leave it on command, but she's determined to ignore "down." Whether we're on a walk meeting new people or we have guests, she's up in the air and at their faces (in a loving way.) Any suggestions to help in the meantime? Is there light at the end of the tunnel with age? Thanks so much for the help!  |
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| Make sure you re-inforce the 'no jumping' policy in your house. She's getting to that "I'm not going to pay any attention to former training I have had up till this point" stage. As far as the chasing part, I think it's a sheepdog trait. Asterisk and Wendel LOVE to chase dogs at the dog park, they'll run up to each dog and bark in it's face to try to instigate a good chase session. It's kinda funny, because both of my dogs work in tandem and will quickly bank right and the other dog will trip up, I don't think it expects to be going any direction other than straight. If you keep re-inforcing walking on a loose leash, no jumping, yada yada, you'll do great! |
| Welcome Meg & Izzy, I have a 4 month old Sheepie, my first one. I can relate to the chasing business. Howie is a great walker on leash, until a car flies by, then he runs. Two weeks ago I started predicting when the car was going to pass us, and just before it does, I say firmly 'NO CHASE' and pull a little on the leash. Well, now when we walk, he goes after a few cars only at the start of the walk when his energy is high. After settling into our stroll, Howie is perfect, he lets cars drive by without a notice. I don't trust him near cars without a leash. I am no professional dog trainer, all I know is it was VERY scary the first walk we went on and Howie darted for a car, I knew I needed to try something! Enjoy your new addition to your home and good luck, I'm interested to read what other advice folks have because we are going through the same issues as you, peg and howie |
| If you are diligent - it will pass with training and time. I find Chewie (or previous OES) no more difficult to break from chasing squirrels, etc. than my other breeds. But, I have tons of years (that sounds horrid!  ) of training experience and it is just part of life at our house.  Consistancy is key - if you decide it's a rule, it has to be enforced every single time.... It may sound harsh....For better or worse, most dog's behavior is a direct reflection of the humans it lives with. |
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