General Chat

Bobbin can still be a terrorist at times, Half the time her behavior seemed to be for attention- she is an 'interactive dog' and loves human attention. When we sat down to eat or watch tv the mischief would start - biting feet (not hard) to get slippers, worktop raids, jumping to get clothes off the washing line etc. Our solution is this. We have a peace cage - Buy one or borrow one- which is out in the side passage.When she misbehaves she is hauled into it, the door closed and we walk away.We ignor the barking that always follows and leave her until the is quiet, and then let her in. It diffuses the situation for everyone, no-one gets smacks and everyone calms down , otherwise things get just too manic. Do remember though, everytime the dog does a Poo or a wee or whatever in the right place, to reward. Tiny titbits are enough ( we had a pot containing part of daily ration of dried dinner so didnt get fat) Bobbin, i guess like most other dogs. would rather please us than be in trouble. Go for 'overkill' on the good - and hopefully she'll be glad to please you We were close to giving up with Bobbin ( a springer spaniel) and are so glad we didn't. Jess

Michael I am glad I am not a Dog belonging to you I suppose you hit children too if they dont behave, I do not believe smacking ever cured anything both my kids are well mannered and everybody they meet likes them so I prove my point. In fact I think a lot of the children who are a nuisance have probably been smacked instead of reasoned with and they grow up thinking if you smack soneone you get your own way. Animals especially puppies need a lot of attention and play time but not smacking, no Dog trainer would ever suggest it.

My dogs dont need a trainer, they can manage me without any help,and my Cocker always has the last word. Must go , just been told its time for walkies!!!!!!!! Len

like it Len do you as your told !!!!

Patricia, OMG! What have you done? I have never actually owned an Irish Setter, but I have been the proud ? owner of 2 English Setters (at different times). I can sympathise. My first dog Beau was exactly the same as your one is now, he was just a bundle of raw energy. He was five months old when he jumped off a sea wall and fell 50ft. on to rocks below. He was almost completely unscathed apart froma few scrapes and a bloodshot eye! My vet was surprised that he was still breathing by the time I got him there. I could never keep him out of water he went into the river near us daily winter or summer. I got him a paddling pool for the garden in the end and he played in that every day! You have to treat them like a hyperactive child, we spent hours inventing games for him to play. His favourite was 'Blind dogs for the Guides!' This involved us hiding some treats and then blindfolding him so he could search for them! He loved it, if his blindfold came off he would wait for it to be put back on before continuing the game. He finally settled down at about the age of 6 or 7 (sorry!). I have an English Setter at the moment his name is Disraeli (dizzy for short). He hasn't been quite so bad as Beau, he has now stopped sleeping on the dining room table, which is a blessing. He still needs constant attention, but my other dogs know when he is doing naughty things, they come in from the garden and hide, a sure sign that he has dug another hole or something worse! Ther is no instant cure for this one, just try and keep him safe and ride out the storm! They are brilliant dogs, especially when tired or just waking up, the rest of the time they are a nightmare! Jak

Hi again Patricia - I've had a chat with Mum now (owned a very big and boisterous Irish Setter until he died) and she said 'Training Classes' are the way to go. You said you tried classes but he started refusing to get in the car - was he unhappy about going to the class or getting in the car? If he didn't like the class, then maybe you could find a different one. If he's scared of the car then I would suggest coaxing him in with a little treat (he's not likely to get fat on them with all his energy) and just doing a very short journey to somewhere nice - he'll start to associate the car with going to nice places. You do also need to be firm - without the hitting obviously - and just give him loads and loads of fuss when he does good. As someone else pointed out - he wants to please you and play with you, he will hate upsetting you, so work on that. My Sister has a little Welsh Springer Spaniel (completely different kettle of fish I know) and she shows her and is training her for working trials - she said to find a 'good' training class is important - look for one that's registered. All of her training has been done with 'kindness' and her dog is a little star (puts my two to shame). So, perhaps try training classes again and keep working at it - he'll get there. Kaye x P.S. I think you're incredibly lucky - I would love an Irish Setter, enjoy him.

Don't agree with Mike's suggestion of whacking!!! l think thats cruel!!! but firmness yes along with give a treat when good and ignore when not. l have a Lab cross Pointer or Springer - he was named Mad dog,now madoc!!!!He is gorgeous but nice Mad!! lol. When ever we go to the local shop and tie him up he goes potty,barks screams and will grab me or my clothes - so l ignore him,then as soon as he's stops l reward him,he's much better now BUT hubby won't do the ignore thing with him (god knows why), so in a way l'm in a no win situation!!!!:o(( But it definately has helped:o))) Good luck and let us know how things go. jude sarf wales

Where abouts are you? I know a really good trainer who does private lessons or you could go to her dog classes. Gloria x

Margaret - just read your reply and was wondering if you think German Shepherds are generally easier to train than Labs? I have an 8 year old Golden Retriever (similar in temperment to Labs) and a 3 year old German Shepherd. My German Shepherd is much more obedient than my Retriever and I have found him much easier to train - did I just do better second time around? Was I just lucky that my GS wants to do as his told rather than being stuborn like my Retriever? Or do you think as a breed the GS is a more responsive dog? I'm just curious that's all. Kaye x

I have two GSD'S at the moment and have had others all my (long) life. We have always had bitches and I find them fantastic to train. Our older bitch got her gold good citizen award when she was 11months and 3weeks old--brilliant effort. Gloria

thankyou all for so many humerous and helpful replies. If I hadnt mentioned it Oscar is 7 months old, was really quite good up until 6 months then suddenly developed a personality!! He,s very tall so its hard to put things out of his reach he,ll steal anything!!digs trenches in the garden (swear i,ll bury him in one of his own holes one day), insists on dragging me into pond every night! even manages to get completely wet in a puddle!! always carry treats with me, I chop up tiny pieces of ham or chicken and carry them everywhere, reward him when he,s good and TRY to ignore him when he,s naughty!! Oscar was,nt frightened of obedience classes, he loves socialising with other dogs just developed a fear of going in car and no amount of treats wud coax him, reckon its probabably coz he,s so big. I live in St Helens Gloria, class I went to is about 4 miles away, abit far to walk

Patricia, I live in Lanc's and go to dog training at Heskin near Chorley. If you haven't got transport I am sure she would come out to you, I will send you her phone number in a message Gloria

would like to suggest you use a 'halti' on him when walking. it is like horse reins, and you clip the lead onto the side of his nose instead of collar, when he pulls / drags you it will tighten slightly( just uncomfortable not painful !) so will stop doing it instantly and trot by your side!!!! a lot of people will assume its a muzzle but it doesn't clamp their mouth shut, they are still able to open their mouth freely. you'll be amazed at the difference it makes and wonder how you managed before, well usually ending up in the pond / river wherever he fancies!!! good luck, Jane ( ex kennel maid & canine beautician )

I agree with Jane - you need something to stop him pulling. I don't personally like the Halti's but I know a lot of people swear by them. I use a harness on my Retriever - it fits around the neck and then under her front legs and up to her back. Make sure you get one that has some 'give' in it, so that it pulls tight if they pull and loosens when they stop. It might help keep you out of the pond? lol For when you want him on the lead what about an extending lead - use these on my two and it's great fun getting knotted up with trees, other dogs and other people. Kaye x

The harnesses do work well if you get the right sort - it's no good using the sort you use to clip your dog in the car (clips to seatbelt) for taking them for walks. You need to get one that acts more like a choke chain - pulls and gives as the dog pulls and then stops pulling - but obviously it doesn't go around the neck. As I said I use one on both my Retriever and my German Shepherd and it works well - I have a bad back too so can't have them pulling me around. Kaye x

I can only suggest what others have said and Time & Patience in abundance. My retriever (Bobby) now two is a lovely dog but he was a complete looney. Ate a mobile phone and chewed the plugs of the TV/Video when young. The halti is wonderful and wouldn't be without it. Bobby now enjoys an extending lead as well. He used to have what the kids called 'mad fits', running around the room over furniture uncontrollably and very excited chewing of hands. Others may not agree but we bought a muzzle and it was instant calm. We ust put it on him for a couple of minutes. Doesn't need it at all now. Just wait till puberty starts though!!!

Still say whack him ---:)) and No I dont eat children- can't manage a whole one lol ... only joking before you hang draw and quarter me! xx Training would be the best -- x

We have a Cana Corso (Italian Cattle Dog)...very big dog, my hubbie had to be very very strict with him..i had to also even little boy, he had to realise that he was last in the pecking order...sometimes i thought hubbie was very harsh with him but 2 years down the road we have a very secure loving dog who is an extremly (?) good guard dog, very loving and knows his place...We love him to bits and he is a big part of our family My friend has a yorkie and he is top dog at the moment, she is battling with him at the moment to get him to be more submissive and obdient.... good luck...unfortunatley it doesnt happen overnight :)

A few people have mentioned Vari kennels and before I got Ralph his breeder couldnt praise them enough. I bought one which we were going to use just for the car but when we left it here on the first night, Ralph climbed in and went asleep. Since then we have kept it in the kitchen at night with a vetmat and his quilt and little puppy pal and the door open but the kitchen door closed. In fact he goes into it during the day to sleep after he has had a mad half hour in the garden. I wouldnt have believed how much he loves it. Well worth (the quite a lot!) money.

Perservere! My Bernese Mountain Dog is now 3 years old. As a puppy it was always a battle of wits. Toys, bones and chews were never enough for him. He ate the walls, skirtings and architraves amongst many other things. He mouthed me all the time - it was a real battle. Now 3 years on he finally grew up, he is a lovely dog, loves a cuddle, 8st on your lap! Try to get him used to the car, get him to training classes and try all the good tips you have been given (not smacking though). He will get better. Good Luck Carol