Ideas for Training
Unfortunately though, in the five years he's been around, he's developed a reputation for being out of control. He doesn't chew furniture, he doesn't run away....but he's just a big dummy. He has extreme bursts of energy where he'll tear all over the house for five minutes. For example, this morning I took him into our bedroom to leave him with my wife as my son and I were going out. Knowing that he's a complete nut, I stayed in front of him to make sure he didn't run off through the room like a wild boar. Well he jumped around me, did a lap of the bedroom, and jumped up on the bed and continued to run around like an idiot. He get's walked an hour a day, sometimes more - and the best way I can describe him is just a big, clueless spaz. Honestly, I'm at the point now where I don't even like having him around. He knocks our two year old over, he's ruined the hardwood floors in our house from all the run and gun, and he's constantly running past people on the steps and just being an idiot in general. I realize he's a product of his owners which is why I've tried everything. We've had him in a few training classes, we've even had a few quacks over from the local classifieds. Something needs to be done soon though because he doesn't listen, and regardless of the reason - I've had about all I can take. Oh, and he goes crazy when the doorbell rings. Barking 20-25 times in a row. Where to begin? |
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| Okay, I've had an idea. There was this training class we took him to when he was just a pup. While I didn't always agree with the trainers methods I've come to realize one thing. Her dog does everything it's told - mine does not. She obviously has something going on that I don't. I think part of the issue currently is that I'm just so frustrated with Milton we have, and this will sound odd - no relationship. I never pet him, never even look at him, and when we go on family walks my wife always holds his leash as I can't even stand walking him. Which is odd, b/c he's a treat to walk actually. In fact, generally speaking he is well behaved. He knows how to sit, shake paws etc. The problem is just these bursts of idiocy when something excites him or people show up at our door or we go somewhere. I'm going to calm down, try to spend some more time with him, and I think we'll enroll him in the class mentioned above. It's going to be hard though because in the midst of a quiet evening, hearing him run up the stairs after my wife because he thinks something is going on - it irks me. |
| I know that you have been to classes, but have you tried having a private lesson in your own home, so that the trainer can see exactly what he does? Even set it up so that, during training, someone comes to the door and rings the bell? I know that it isn't cheap, but we found it helpful to have one or two in home sessions. |
| One thing that this training helped me with was my attitude. I was not nearly calm enough. I swear I paid so that I could get trained, instead of the dog. Try paying more attention to the things that he does right, too, so that you can build your bond with him. That bond is so important, for both of you! |
| Ron came up with a term for these radom bursts of energy......RON??? Fraps, frams, framps......something. Frenetic radom acts........?? MO had them for years. She start in the bedroom by leaping off the bed, down the hall around the dining room table, through the kitchen into the livingroom, bank off the couch, leap over the club chair and back to the bedroom. She'd repeat this five or six times. Crumpet pretty much kept hers to running the all and bouching off a far wall to run. We learned to step back and let this need to express the energy pass (I miss it now as MO nears 13). Granted, we don't have a small child to worry about either. The class sounds like a lovely idea. Or when when of these "moments" occurs, drop everything and get the whirlwind TAZ outside and play with her, encourage the running with claps and excitement. Sometimes the brain builds up this loose energy and it needs to be expelled. There will be years ahead when this no longer occurs and you'll miss the excitement. Sheepdogs are not lazy lapdogs. They were bred to work, to move around, keeping them cooped up creates problems. |
SheepieBoss wrote: ...They were bred to work, to move around, keeping them cooped up creates problems. Truer words are rarely spoken. Zoey does this anytime she doesn't get her daily walk. The last two days were rough as we 've been hammered by thunderstorms so she didn't get a long walk yesterday. So early this morning she was racing around the front room until I could wrangle her to the backdoor so she could run off her steam outside. Which she did promptly, like six laps around the yard! My suggestion for you is to get out in the yard and run with him. He'll bond with you for that alone and you'll have fun with him too. Zoey and I have a BLAST! Vance |
| I think walks are definitely not the same as running free (in a fenced yard) for their physical and mental health.... even if he only tears around for five minutes if you can leave him outside for at least an hour at a time a couple times a day you may see improvement. I totally get where you're coming from though... I had a dog who was essentially a good dog but to me was just obnoxious, we had a personality clash I think. I loved her, but I just felt like I didn't "like" her. You sound like you want to bond with him though and I think obedience classes are an excellent way to do that. Also, and this may be a tad controversial, but I would strongly recommend watching The Dog Whisperer or reading some of Cesar Milan's books. If you can buy or rent a season or two of the show I think you'll be amazed at the differences you'll find in your own behaviour, your own perception of the dogs behaviour and how easy it can be to change both and basically prevent your dog from ever getting into that state of mind in the first place. |
The_Grudge wrote: I think part of the issue currently is that I'm just so frustrated with Milton we have, and this will sound odd - no relationship. Bingo. Not that this will solve all of your problems - everything everyone else including you yourself have pointed out has merit. But I had to come to this conclusion with my rescue dog (who is kind of like that in some ways, in others not) I love her but it took me the longest time to actually LIKE her. And don't think they can't sense that and it doesn't add to their insecurities. So, yeah, for both of your sakes it would be helpful to see if you can develop a relationship with him that doesn't involve you feeling guilty that there are times you sort of half way wish he'd go play in traffic.   Kristine |
ah the zoomies, much better performed in the yard running free, cuts down on inside zoomies without a doubt. and yes some training is needed as 5yr old milt should not be knocking down a 2 yr old even while in the zoomie mode. your second post is on track for reining in the problems as milt sounds like a splendid dog otherwise. your 1st post made me think it was time to assemble sheepieteamsix for an extraction.  looking forward to milt's improvements.  |
| Sheepie Team Six........Now there is an interesting mental picture. Of course helicopters are necessary and we'll put Chewie into a parachute for "first dog in". Jaci's herd comes next for decoy work, "which sheepie???" No firearms necessary, just dog treats and Beer for the uprights. Still working on extracation....... dog sled.....sorry Chewie, you have double duty or we send Henry down on the parachute..... |
SheepieBoss wrote: Fraps, frams, framps......something. Frenetic radom acts........?? FRAPs - Frenetic Random Activity Periods. Major emphasis on "frenetic."  Our old GSD mix used to jump. Up and down, in the same spot, over, and over, and over, and over . . . Couldn't distract him with anything, food, water, playtime, potty time, anything! We would have to stop him and put him in a down until he chilled out. One day we decided to let him go until he tired himself out - 20 minutes later he showed NO signs of even slowing down. We stopped him at that point for fear he'd hurt himself. I don't have specific advice, but I do want to echo the suggestion of a private training session in your home. It will give the trainer a perspective on the whole of the situation that s/he cannot get otherwise. Good luck!  |
| "Sheepie Team Six........Now there is an interesting mental picture" susan, you're on the same page, but it's lt. col. chewie and we're watchin all these youngbloods to join da team. no weapons, beer and dog treats, wigglebums while in a parachute jump and kisses. ain't it ??? |
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