riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/22/2010 2:27 PM |
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Hello, i am new to the forum and i currently have a problem with my 2 year old GSP named Riley.
He seems to have a obsession with squirrels. He goes to the back windows and goes absolutly CRAZY if he sees a squirrel outside. He is always looking out the windows to see if their is squirrels. He cries and barks and its starting to get really annoying and ive tried lots of different things. I tried blinds but he just breaks them, ive tried sitting there and everytime he goes over there telling him to leave and showing him its not OK to do what hes doing. Its not an energy or excersise issue because he is walked and taken to the dog park on a daily basis and still does it when he gets home. Its to the point where i am ready to tint all of my windows so he cant see outside. Please give me any pointers on what i canj do to stop him from going nuts for squirrels outside. I know he is a hunting dog but not to the point where he is looking out the window 24/7 looking for them.
Thank you,
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7856
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| 06/24/2010 3:15 PM |
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| He is a shorthair. All of mine go nuts over squirrels to the point I have had to remove all bird feeders or anything that brings them into the yard more than normal. The squirrels don't help either because they love to tease the dogs. Of course, the dogs get even from time to time when they catch the squirrels. I know this doesn't help, but about all you can do is block the window so he can see the squirrels. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/24/2010 4:06 PM |
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Ive noticed the same thing, the squirrels will come back sometimes and kinda say " haha you cant get me" until i open the back door and send them running.lol, but i was wondering if something like an e collar could control something like that? maybe keep him away from the doors and windows on command and the collar could help me control it?
thanks for the help!
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7856
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| 06/24/2010 4:16 PM |
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| I would not use the ecollar for your problem as it would be hard to work it so the dog understands, the correction is to stay away from squirrels. I would work on obedience and in particular the leave it command. Also, find something that will distract your pup that you can bring out when he is obsessing on squirrels, like a good bone or a kong stuffed with peanut butter. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/24/2010 4:41 PM |
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Thanks, ive tried a boe or a kong full of peaut butter he just drops it for the squirrel, but ill work on telling him to LEAVE IT annd stand innfront of the door so he actually listens to me and not watch the squirrel! I also wanted the collar for other types of training like tracking and letting him off the leash in a none fenced environment to help me ensure he wont take off.
thanks
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7856
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| 06/24/2010 9:49 PM |
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The ecollar is just another training tool, and not a replacement for training. Be sure your dog understands the commands you are trying to reinforce with an ecollar before you use it. Also, be sure you condition your dog to the ecollar before you use is or he can end up collar wise. I would strongly suggest you find someone experienced to help you with the ecollar or at least do some reading to make sure you understand how to use it. Many a good dog has been ruined by someone using an ecollar incorrectly.
I would strongly encourage you to enroll in an obedience class and start there with your training. If will help you and your dog and give you someone to ask questions. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/25/2010 8:34 AM |
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For the ecollar do you have an experience with it? Like im sure the workers at the hunting store here would have some backaround with it but i would like to talk to someone who had used it. One of my buddies uses it for his golden doodle and the shock doesnt hurt i felt it. But i would like to make sure i use it for the benefit of the dog and make a good impression with it. I will do reasearch on it before i purchased something like that. But do you recommend any brands?
as for obedience, the ones i have available to me are threw petsmart and its the basics like "sit" "lie down" "paw' my dog knew that within the first week i had him. He very smart, to smart for my liking sometimes  . But he learns quickly.I really dont think paying $150 to watch him do the stuff i already taught him will help, if you could give me some instructions on maybe what i should teach him and work on with him would be great.
i know you are WAY more experienced then me since this is my first dog and gsp. So i can use all the help and experience you are willing to share.
thank you
chris
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7856
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| 06/27/2010 11:15 AM |
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Like I said, before you use the ecollar the dog must understand the commands. For a recall that means many recalls on check cords and in controlled settings (1000's). You also have to condition the dog to the collar. Meaning they start wearing it long before you ever plan to use it. My dogs associate fun stuff with the ecollar and have no clue that it is also used for correction. If I get the ecollar out, they are going to do something fun and they get all excited and vie to be the first one to get their collar on. I personally prefer the Tritronics, but there are other good brands out there as well.
The only reason I think a puppy class would be good is that it would give your pup a chance to socialize. Yes, you can teach your pup all the basic obedience at your home, but then you need to take him to different settings and practice with various locations and distractions. I would recommend you start with the basics like sit, down, stay, heel, stand, come, etc. There are some good obedience books out there. I would recommend looking on Dogwise.com as they have just about every dog book written. Find one that suits what you want to do with your dog.
If you are planning on doing any hunting with your pup, I would recommend the videos, Perfect Start and Perfect Finish from Perfection Kennels. Their methods are pretty easy to follow and effective.
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
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Posts:4452
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| 06/27/2010 12:05 PM |
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One mistake people make with the e-collar is that they don't realize they are nagging the dog instead of making an impression.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7856
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| 06/27/2010 12:35 PM |
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| Pixie - Absolutely true. With an ecollar less is usually more. I rarely use it more than once. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/27/2010 9:20 PM |
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Thank you i will order some books! you have helped me a lot thank you !
chris |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3136
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| 06/28/2010 5:55 AM |
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| Yeah dog classes are great cuz it gets you out and about in new areas and dogs no matter how good they are at home always act differently at new places, some even get nervous and do some nervous barking are whining or get really clingy. |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/28/2010 9:09 AM |
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Well, riley is always "clingy" he always has to be touching me.. like if he is sleeping in his bed which is beside mine he will get up in the middle of the night, lie down in my bed and his body HAS to be touching mine. But if i tell him to get off and go to his bed he will go, but in the winter i like when he sleeps on my bed cause he keeps me warm. But i did some training today after i went rollar blading with him, and he did pretty good, accept when i tell him to sit from about 10 ft away then it takes him a few recalls before he sits. But he is all tired now and sleeping beside me.
But i understand what you mean about different areas having a different affect on him. He needs to be training infront of different people and situations.
I will look into it, thanks guys
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7856
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| 06/28/2010 11:03 AM |
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A couple of things to remember in training: 1) only say the command once (if they do not respond then you have to show them/make them), 2) if they are not responding when you progress the training, then you have probably progressed too far or to fast. Back up and try again. 3) Always end a training on a positive note, even if all you do is have them do a sit next to you. Training has to be fun, and you want them working with you willingly.
Good luck and if you have questions about specific books, just ask. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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riley90
SH
Posts:50
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| 06/28/2010 2:05 PM |
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Thanks i will show my mom today when she is home from work which books ive looked at getting and then ill ask you if you think it will be ok for a beginner like me.
try and do exercise - training - affection everyday in that order and it works when i have the time for all 3 but now since im off school ill be working with him full force. i want to try and show my parents the good dog he can be. They see him as a "destructive dog". My dad orgionally wanted to find a new home for him. But i would not allow it i worked very hard to purchase him and wasnt going to give up on him. Riley was there for me through my parents separation and is like a son to me. He is a good dog i just have to train him more. I need all the help i can get so thanks for the help i appreciate it.
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7856
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| 06/28/2010 2:11 PM |
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| Shorthairs are very smart and usually get into trouble when they have too much energy or are bored. So, keep up the training and exercise. Also, training (making the dog think or solve problems) will wear them out as much as running in a field will wear them out. So, teach him tricks and play find games with him too. For a find game you can make him sit and then hide and let him find you, or you can hide treats or toys for him to find. Make it simple at first, but once he catches on you can make it harder and harder. Great fun on a rainy day when you can't work outside. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3166
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| 06/28/2010 2:20 PM |
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Here's another one: the shell game. Take three cups ... hide some kibble under one, mix them up, and get him to show you where they are.
Here's some more:
http://www.k9station.com/mentalstim.htm
You can google to find more...
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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riley90
SH
Posts:50
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| 06/28/2010 2:26 PM |
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aha yes he will LOVE these games thanks a lot guys ! ususally if we are at the dog park and i throw the ball and he loses sight of it i say "find it" and his nose goes to the ground right away and he searches till he finds it.
chris |
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riley90
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Posts:50
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| 06/28/2010 2:28 PM |
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Oh i have another HUGE issue.. my cat HATES my dog.. how can i fix this? when Riley was a puppy the cat didnt mind but as Riley grew the cat started to hissss and swat at him, good thing the cat is declawed on his front 2 paws. But he is very stressed by the dog and pisses on Riley's stuff? Anyone know how to deal with a cat and dog problem? btw riley just goes to sniff the cat and my cat goes nuts on him.
chris |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7856
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| 06/28/2010 3:59 PM |
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| My boy, Ringo, has the same problem with my two cats and they too will piss on his stuff if left to their own devices (meaning when I am not home and if I leave Ringo's bed out). I fuss at Ringo and tell him leave it as the cats do not want to be bothered by him. He has learned to ignore the cats for the most part. With my girls the cats will curl up and sleep with them, but they do not do unexpected things either. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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