Minimu - help please (serious)

[Bella32]

Before I crack open the gin at 1pm.

You know my pup, and her recall, and her love of woods?

Well, I jsut got back from a walk that turned out to be nearly half an hour longer than planned.

I take them in the car to a place where there's a short walk through woods to an open space, which is fenced with access only via a gate 9the open part that is). The woods are open to the car park and a minor road.

Pup has never run off in the open space so I walk her on a lead through the woods (actually I walk her off lead until we are on the homeward leg through the woods

A diffcult one but you can crack this. When she did come back I would have treated her and then immediately sent her away again. You control when the game ends. I expect the more you try to send her away the more like a leech she will become. Turn your back on her and play with your other dog. I guess she will be trying hard to join in again send her away and concentrate on the other dog. Then call her to you she will charge to you ready for the game.

As you know it is just the teenager time and she is seeing where the boundaries are.

The other thing I would do at home for a bit is earn for rewards. She has to work to get any type of interaction from you. If she comes to you or a cuddle politely ignore her, when she is not asking for a cuddle call her to you make her sit etc and then give her the cuddle. So no less attention but she has to work for it.

A dog that has everything can easily give up working for rewards. I call it the millionaire dog. What can you give a millionaire dog to make them want to work or conform.

That makes sense - thank you. She does come and plop her head in my lap for an ear rub so I shall implement your advice straight away. I've never refused a dog's request for affection but tbh that was based on my rejection of the dominance advice. I can see that this particular dog may need a firmer or at least more strategic hand than my previous ones.

Am off for a stiff one coffee now so will calm down and think.

Thanks again.

indeed you must be firmer bella

glad pup came back!!

Thank you, Blondie.

Just wanted to add that your text 'Clip the lead on properly next time' was truly appreciated

blondes is always helpful

True. I hope you took my suggestion of placing a hot dog in a certain part of your anatomy in the truly kind and generous spirit in which it was meant.

of course - it certianly would never go in my mouth

Norty pup

norty bella for hotdogs!!!

Cheers, gals. I'm okay now, really. Diazepam helps, I find. Lots of it.

She's a sweetie, really. Just a very smart, somewhat independent sweetie. We played a lovely game called 'Come through the gate with me' today. She wouldn't come near enough to go back on the lead, so I kept shutting the gate and marching away with my other dogs. Cue high pitched cries. Back to pup - pup dances away - shut gate and repeat. Did this about 4 times and then decided this was the last time and if she didn't come to me I would disappear out of sight and put my other dogs in the car. She must have read my very determined body language and allowed me to put her on the lead that time.

My walks used to be a time of peace and reflection: now it's like going head to head with Gary Kasparov after a heavy night

sounds worse than children

Yes, defo worse than dc

One step forward, two steps back. We have got the 'gate game' sorted - at worst it's one attempt (I walk away and she then lets me put her on the lead, rather than 20 freaking times ) but this morning she fecked off in a place she hadn't fecked off before. Clearly had a scent - or scents - and even when she came back past us she was totally in her own little world, 100% oblivious to our presence, despite my playing excitedly with brand new squeaky toy. Lab boy got the toy's head off in his excitement, but to no avail

Will recall briliiantly away from other dogs and people - comes straight to me and sits, looking expectantly at my treat bag, but woe betide us if there is a scent she likes...

Do you - ahem - need a new search & rescue dog, Mimimu?

LOL @ walks being time of peace and reflection... that's what I dreamt of, hours of wandering round in the beautiful countryside with my faithful dog quietly at heel...instead I get a wrestling match

Mine would make a great cadaver dog, she can find a dead thing from miles away ...although training her not to consume her 'find' might be tricky...

Lol at cadaver dog!
I did go on a drug finding course with one of my labs but she was such a good retriever and eats anything we decided to stick to firearms instead

Would love a new search and rescue dog we usually have to find old ladies with dementia who have got lost! As long as she is wearing rabbit shoes there will be no problem.

I would be tempted to use a long line for a bit and just "remind" your dog of her manners. In the long run she will have a much better life if she has a 100% recall. You might find taking her out for walks on her own as well may break the habit.

Sorry, Minimu, but your half-hearted protestations don't cut it with Bella.

She's on Royal Canin Maxi Junior, all wormed, vaccinated, frontlined. Spayed, KC reg, 5 generation pedigree, ace hip scores both sides, all relevant hereditary health screening, great with children, cats and other dogs. Knows all basic commands, doesn't jump up or mouth, travels well.

Enjoy

Do I have to sign for her..... very busy over the next few days may not be here when postman calls................

No, you won't need to sign but I'll suggest the postie leaves her somewhere secure