Hello all! I am Robins mum

[Robins mum]

I have not had a dog in almost 40 years so we’ll out of practice and not as fit or young as I was! I chose a breed I had before - elegant and quiet gentle dogs!

Hmmmm! This one turns out to be completely BONKERS! Very powerful, willfull and incredibly playful HELP! Currently standing at 34” approx 44kg Borzoi Beed advice on safe walking please! He’s gonna kill us both! Typical sight hound suddenly right without warning takes off -with and without me I’ve just had to get my head glued this time! I’m nearly 70 too much for me! He is fantastic dog and we have great bond but he is a teenager at 13 months old. Any advise might just save us! Thanks

 

[JudyN]

Welcome - you could have a look at posts by Jan Woodall, who had similar issues, e.g. Exhuberant behaviour that is dangerous on the lead

Though that Borzoi was also called Robin - are you the same person?

 

[Robins mum]

Welcome - you could

Welcome - you could have a look at posts by Jan Woodall, who had similar issues, e.g. Exhuberant behaviour that is dangerous on the lead

Though that Borzoi was also called Robin - are you the same person?

yes JudyN I am had a lot happen the past few months! Lost all Internet stuff we are temporarily in an old touring caravan in a field! Robin has been amazing abd our bond is strong- but I’m not feeling I am going to win the race between our survival and his maturity! It is REALLY worrying and I seem to have written this mud your post! Lol. Can’t do things on the phone and that is my only connection! Eek!
have a look at posts by Jan Woodall, who had similar issues, e.g. Exhuberant behaviour that is dangerous on the lead

Though that Borzoi was also called Robin - are you the same person?

 

[Robins mum]

My goodness me I’m not sure I’m gonna survive this phone vs internet stuff! I am desperate for more suggestions to help Robin through his natural behaviour that WILL if it continues get us both killed. I can no longer hold him when he sees something he just goes! Bang! NANO SECOND GONE! I’m no longer able to hold him zi have tried abd tried abd now at the point I cannot sustain anymore physical damage. He always comes back but that is NOT the point we are in the country currently he has VERY easy access to sheep/lambs cattle abd he is Not nasty but play will kill! I just can’t keep the I’m in charge seniority post I have status of second in command sadly. Sometimes I can see me command and his desire battling inside his head ! Literally looking at me then where he wants to go back forth back forth - then it’s as though his head explodes abd he says ‘sorry gotta go!!’ BANG he’s gone! With cats there is no tussle! GONE! He’s gonna kill some tans get himself killed or put down as dangerous at that moment he is. Otherwise he is wonderful just a little typical Borzoi stubborn I really think I’ll just lay down here as I don’t want to do what you want just yet attitude! That but is improving which is great he is after all just a teenage boy

 

[Robins mum]

Welcome - you could have a look at posts by Jan Woodall, who had similar issues, e.g. Exhuberant behaviour that is dangerous on the lead

Though that Borzoi was also called Robin - are you the same person?

 

[Robins mum]

It’s great to be back!

 

[JudyN]

Have you tried a headcollar, and/or a front-fastening harness? Have you investigated his diet just in case there's anything there that might make him hyper? (Though I suspect this is 'normal for him'.)

Are you able to drive him to safe places to walk him?

If you've tried these, and aren't able to get to an enclosed area, I think you really need to look into getting a professional dog walker - but it must be someone who is able to cope with his exuberance and won't try to use any 'corrective' training methods. If they are also able to do some good-quality training, all the better, but the important thing is to give him the physical and mental exercise he needs without any damage to you, him, or sheep.

 

[Robins mum]

Have you tried a headcollar, and/or a front-fastening harness? Have you investigated his diet just in case there's anything there that might make him hyper? (Though I suspect this is 'normal for him'.)

Are you able to drive him to safe places to walk him?

If you've tried these, and aren't able to get to an enclosed area, I think you really need to look into getting a professional dog walker - but it must be someone who is able to cope with his exuberance and won't try to use any 'corrective' training methods. If they are also able to do some good-quality training, all the better, but the important thing is to give him the physical and mental exercise he needs without any damage to you, him, or sheep.

Thanks yet again for your sane and sound advise! To date we have daily off lead manic walks in the afternoon posts splattered on FB! Lol over carn Brea , porthtowan beach, helston river, dog Walker takes him once a week with her big dog to cricket fields. He still lives a race around the cemetery (sorry!). Every morning he charges round the field (after I put horse safely away!). Abd every morning he breaks free leaping over the 5’wall off into the bridle path! No matter WHAT I do or say! Always comes back and usually goes a second time! Then he gets an evening stroll round the village which is where he chases the cats and any other poor thing trying to hide under cars or in gateways or hedges! I loose almost every time now on that ! . I have tried a dog trainer a dog behaviour person and we have just started tracking to which he is of course as a dog brilliant! ME? Bah not so much! . Don’t know what to do now! This is seriously worrying our lives are literally on the line daily. Halter not recommended for breed has harness and normal collar currently Recall fir the mist part excellent until it is something really exciting. OR we could say - when it is a matter if life or death! He always comes back every time! BUT - just not instantly

 

[Hemlock]

I think he is likely to injure himself if you use a halter (sorry JudyN - would work for many breeds but not this one) and he's likely to injure you (and other people's animals) if you carry on as you are. These are NOT criticisms but observations.

Your garden security means you need a higher fence with the top turned over inwards so he can't jump out. If he is likely to dig under, put paving slabs round the perimeter and check twice daily. If you can't afford to fence the whole garden higher, create an inward fence so he is safe. That's what we have done at home, which has kept many generations of lurchers inside in safety. The father of my current dog could jump 7 feet from a standstill.

Next, you are expecting PhD behaviour from a kindergarten dog. For now, his only offlead time should be in one of those fenced (properly fenced!) enclosures that people can hire out for 1 to 1 dog exercise. There may be several in your area.

On lead, you need a harness such as Perfect Fit (because of the deep sighthound chest) which has a ring fastening at the front chest area as well as one behind the neck, but not one which has the ring right at the back of the harness. This means if he lunges, he automatically turns towards you instead of pulling you over.

Next-damage limitation - this is not the sort of dog that you can safely take anywhere there is wildlife, livestock, cats or other dogs. So find some on-lead walks that allow exercise but not temptation. This is a pity, but has to be done for all your sakes.

Also do lots of mental stimulation games in your garden, which will tire him out.

Feel free to ask again if I've not made something clear.

 

[JoanneF]

You might also find that a walking belt for the lead gives you more stability and safety.

 

[Robins mum]

You might also find that a walking belt for the lead gives you more stability and safety.

Thanks JoanneF but nit possible he is so powerful he would (and has!) take me with him flat on the floor!

 

[Robins mum]

I think he is likely to injure himself if you use a halter (sorry JudyN - would work for many breeds but not this one) and he's likely to injure you (and other people's animals) if you carry on as you are. These are NOT criticisms but observations.

Your garden security means you need a higher fence with the top turned over inwards so he can't jump out. If he is likely to dig under, put paving slabs round the perimeter and check twice daily. If you can't afford to fence the whole garden higher, create an inward fence so he is safe. That's what we have done at home, which has kept many generations of lurchers inside in safety. The father of my current dog could jump 7 feet from a standstill.

Next, you are expecting PhD behaviour from a kindergarten dog. For now, his only offlead time should be in one of those fenced (properly fenced!) enclosures that people can hire out for 1 to 1 dog exercise. There may be several in your area.

On lead, you need a harness such as Perfect Fit (because of the deep sighthound chest) which has a ring fastening at the front chest area as well as one behind the neck, but not one which has the ring right at the back of the harness. This means if he lunges, he automatically turns towards you instead of pulling you over.

Next-damage limitation - this is not the sort of dog that you can safely take anywhere there is wildlife, livestock, cats or other dogs. So find some on-lead walks that allow exercise but not temptation. This is a pity, but has to be done for all your sakes.

Also do lots of mental stimulation games in your garden, which will tire him out.

Feel free to ask again if I've not made something clear.

Hi Hemlock! Can’t do anything about current situation! Sold house next house I was gazzumpt. Then next fell through then 2nd gazzumping! People moving to Cornwall paying £60k plus over asking prices!!!! We can’t compete with the money that is moving on n down here!. Now living tiny touring caravan where I rent the field fir the horse! Life has been slightly better that current situation! So can do nothing about the fencing I just have to be grateful they are allowing me to stay for a few weeks! Already over stayed my welcome! They are not dog people sadly

will have a look at the different harness later that may well be a resolve. He is given as much physical exercise as he is able to cope with and balanced out with taxing mind games! He really loves them! I run him where he is relatively safe the horses on the other side of the bridle path just ignore him so he is less of a threat. When the deer visited a few weeks ago that was quite interesting! No way in Hell was he going to remain with me but he really did give staying a good go! So I do feel if we can get through this very bumpy stage we will overcome!

i can’t want for a kinder bigger hearted more gentle companion. If we can climb this mountain I think we will have won! You can see his teenage brain struggling with what his natural instincts are and what ‘ol bossy boots’ is asking from him! I am constantly compromising/balancing what is a reasonable ask for him to achieve and what we need for safety. If we can get over the leaping at the cats and occasionally at dogs - can’t work that one out! Why some and not all? Occasionally passers by too! But again,

 

[Robins mum]

Hi Hemlock! Can’t do anything about current situation! Sold house next house I was gazzumpt. Then next fell through then 2nd gazzumping! People moving to Cornwall paying £60k plus over asking prices!!!! We can’t compete with the money that is moving on n down here!. Now living tiny touring caravan where I rent the field fir the horse! Life has been slightly better that current situation! So can do nothing about the fencing I just have to be grateful they are allowing me to stay for a few weeks! Already over stayed my welcome! They are not dog people sadly

will have a look at the different harness later that may well be a resolve. He is given as much physical exercise as he is able to cope with and balanced out with taxing mind games! He really loves them! I run him where he is relatively safe the horses on the other side of the bridle path just ignore him so he is less of a threat. When the deer visited a few weeks ago that was quite interesting! No way in Hell was he going to remain with me but he really did give staying a good go! So I do feel if we can get through this very bumpy stage we will overcome!

i can’t want for a kinder bigger hearted more gentle companion. If we can climb this mountain I think we will have won! You can see his teenage brain struggling with what his natural instincts are and what ‘ol bossy boots’ is asking from him! I am constantly compromising/balancing what is a reasonable ask for him to achieve and what we need for safety. If we can get over the leaping at the cats and occasionally at dogs - can’t work that one out! Why some and not all? Occasionally passers by too! But again,

just an add age! I laughed at the report on jumping the 7’ fence I was walking him down the lane (on lead) he sensed something in the Cornish hedge alongside which unusually was 8’ high on that stretch instead of the normal 4-5’ height. He kept vertically and sideways! Didn’t quite make it too the top

 

[Robins mum]

Leapt sorry

 

[JudyN]

occasionally at dogs - can’t work that one out! Why some and not all?

Could be he goes for male ones? Or unneutered male ones? I used to (half-)joke that Jasper didn't like handsome dogs. But there could be something in that - they had a presence about them, a bit of a strut, and he saw them as competition.

It's really good that you can see that Robin wants, and tries, to obey you and please you. It's just sometimes he literally can't, because another part of his brain is firing to powerfully.

 

[Robins mum]

Could be he goes for male ones? Or unneutered male ones? I used to (half-)joke that Jasper didn't like handsome dogs. But there could be something in that - they had a presence about them, a bit of a strut, and he saw them as competition.

It's really good that you can see that Robin wants, and tries, to obey you and please you. It's just sometimes he literally can't, because another part of his brain is firing to powerfully.

I totally understand Judy, but it is absolutely exhausting! Just rarely stops! Just when I start to relax and enjoy him he’ll spot a bird or moth and we’re off again! I try to look at it as cute and he’s only a baby- BUT! (Cover your ears everyone!). It BLOODY HURTS! On the bright side when he knocked me over last week he knew it was ‘ not good! NOT GOOD!!’ perhaps he could smell the blood or my eyes might have been spinning! Like me head was! . But despiteliafs if people coming to help with and without crying babies and excited dogs! He stood quietly at my side. Waited quietly in the car at the hospital and I never heard a peep out of him his last walk of the day admittedly was rather short! ( I didn’t know if it was my eyes spinning or the world rotating upside down’). Do the upshot is! He’s a REAL nightmare! But I am head over heels in love with him and I think he likes me a little- yeah! I know! I provide the food!

 

[Hemlock]

At least you know it isn't the food as sighthound types generally aren't foodies - unless they can steal it!

The great lanky teenage lummox actually does like you.

 

[Robins mum]

At least you know it isn't the food as sighthound types generally aren't foodies - unless they can steal it!

The great lanky teenage lummox actually does like you.

That is lovely coming from you!

 

[Robins mum]

I think he is likely to injure himself if you use a halter (sorry JudyN - would work for many breeds but not this one) and he's likely to injure you (and other people's animals) if you carry on as you are. These are NOT criticisms but observations.

Your garden security means you need a higher fence with the top turned over inwards so he can't jump out. If he is likely to dig under, put paving slabs round the perimeter and check twice daily. If you can't afford to fence the whole garden higher, create an inward fence so he is safe. That's what we have done at home, which has kept many generations of lurchers inside in safety. The father of my current dog could jump 7 feet from a standstill.

Next, you are expecting PhD behaviour from a kindergarten dog. For now, his only offlead time should be in one of those fenced (properly fenced!) enclosures that people can hire out for 1 to 1 dog exercise. There may be several in your area.

On lead, you need a harness such as Perfect Fit (because of the deep sighthound chest) which has a ring fastening at the front chest area as well as one behind the neck, but not one which has the ring right at the back of the harness. This means if he lunges, he automatically turns towards you instead of pulling you over.

Next-damage limitation - this is not the sort of dog that you can safely take anywhere there is wildlife, livestock, cats or other dogs. So find some on-lead walks that allow exercise but not temptation. This is a pity, but has to be done for all your sakes.

Also do lots of mental stimulation games in your garden, which will tire him out.

Feel free to ask again if I've not made something clear.