How To Tire Out Young Greyhounds???

[dogshome]

So, Mel is a very relaxed dog. She focusses on the ball I have for her, chases and retrieves it. Kim (her sister) has never been so good at retrieving usually because Mel always wants to look after No1 - any ball thrown is "mine!".

If Mel gets the ball, Kim grabs the end of the rope on it, then they run round for several minutes with no harm done. If Mel keeps the ball and Kim follows, then also no problem.

If Kim get the ball (or worse) gets it off Mel, then she generally gets T-boned or knocked down by Mel. Throwing 2 balls results in Mel wanting both.

So, Kim gets hurt fairly regularly in the form of bruises or scratches!

Kim also has the keen laser-eye look on small dogs, where Mel is happy chasing the ball. There is no trouble with small ones, but Kim is a big dog now. She has to be pushed to take the laser eye off - then she is a good girl, but it is taking time to break.

So, how do I re-focus Kim without Mel getting all the attention? :wacko:

 

[TTT]

You could try training them as individuals on a one-to-one basis to make sure the obedience is sinking in and constantly reinforce it. The focusing on small dogs needs to be sorted. You could try introducing them to small dogs in a controlled way, perhaps walking with small dogs.

 

[dogshome]

Up until a couple weeks ago they have been to the puppy party at the vets - running about with really tiny ones.

On the field it's OK with known dogs and really easy with one greyhound (either of them) or with two of us humans. Just with two ghunds plus 3rd dog and the initial arrival at the field is the problem (other dogs or not). They have to run. Once they have had a good 10 minutes hurtle and are in sniff-mode it is a lot easier. Our 3rd dog complicates things as she is mostly collie and can be provocative to others.

Without the 10 minutes blast, they can be walked for 2~3 hours with no hint of tiredness now they are bigger. They need that controlled run/chase to take the edge off. I took them for 2 1/2 hours on Saturday all around town and the market without stopping at a brisk pace. No signs of sore paws, tiredness or stiffness (them, not me! I'm knackered!)

I had to lead-train Kim separately before (which sunk-in).

Guess it's two of us and me and Kim on lead heading for every dog we see (again). Walking alongside sorts them out quite quickly.

There are 2 problems really - I still need some means of controlling the run so Kim doesn't get mown down.

 

[TTT]

I believe at the end of the day that every handler should be responsible for their dogs. I have terriers as well as a whippy/grey lurcher and believe me, if my small dogs, or even my well trained, socialised lurcher, were terrorised by out of control dogs in a public place, I would be very unhappy indeed. Try letting one dog off at a time for a run, it gives a good opportunity to train your recall as well, without your other dogs running loose and re-inforcing the 'pack' thinking. Taking on more than one pup at a time really is a hard job. You could look into joining an agility club here your dogs would have the opportunity to use their energy constructively under a controlled environment :luck: .

 

[dogshome]

I believe at the end of the day that every handler should be responsible for their dogs.

I totally agree and that is what I want to acheive 100% (not just 80 or 90 %). I don't want anyone to be scared/upset or uncomfortable. I've had compliments about how well they are behaved by some dog owners!

But, I also steer away from others and admit to having made mistakes. Generally dogs chasing balls is to be avoided unless we know them.

The field has been improved, the hours of daylight are less this time of year and there are probably 20 dogs around at any one time now, joggers, old ladies on sticks, small children and bikes on a Sunday afternoon, which makes thing harder off the lead.

Unfortunately, flyball is on a Wednesday morning when I'm at work! Not located agility yet.

I'll take you advice and go one at a time. Mel on her own can be trusted with anyone or dog. Ears and waggly tail down, head slightly sideways walk up to them. Kim is more intent on running as fast as she can in any direction and hasn't learnt the doggie negotiation.