On Lead for how long?

[Georgieboy View Georgieboy's Profile Find Georgieboy's Posts Find Georgieboy's Threads Send Georgieboy a message E-Mail Georgieboy]

Probably sticking this in the wrong place as usual, How long do you suggest keeping labs on leads before you can trust them or is it a case of everyone is different depends on how they do with training. Our lab George is 7 months and most of the time he is great on the big field/woods near us, comes to whistle, sits, stays etc but every now and again he just GOES and really darts to another dog, no amount of calling, shaking food tins, whistle etc makes a difference hes in a 'IM OFF AS FAST AS POSS' mode, Happened again tonight 2nd time in a month just legs it up to another dog right across the field to play, old dog-owner got miffed and struck out-my fault i know but i nearly put him in an early grave...Do i keep him on the lead and just keep on with the training? getting that energy out of him would be a nightmare on the lead usuallly do have him on it when i see others but this one came out of the bush, also any one recommend good dog trainer on the wirral?, cheers

[Andy View Andy's Profile Find Andy's Posts Find Andy's Threads Send Andy a message E-Mail Andy]

This is a difficult one as every dog is different, also at his age he is probably going through what people call the teenage stage.
What you could try is when he shoots off you start running off in the other direction shouting his name all excitedly, use a squeaky high pitched voice, as this will encourage the dog more as he thinks your exciting. He should see this as a game, and want to chase you, if he starts chasing slow down so he can catch you up, when he is by you, give him lots of fuss and praise and even a treat.
If that don't work then I would keep him on lead while out, maybe have a long lead for in the park, on the beach and such, at least this way he will still have space to run around while you still have hold of him I find a 10ft lunge line for horses, you can get from contrywide, work quite well.
And also take him back to basics and work on his recall, use a low destraction area such as a emptyish room in the house at first, get him to sit and stay,go to the othe rside of the room and call him to you, give him a treat when he come to you and keep doing that, if he won't stay get some one to hold him at one end of the room while you go to the other end.
When he has that mastered, and is coming to you all the time move on to a higher distraction area, such as the garden.
When he is achieving a 100% recall in the garden, move it up again to a park or beach that is full of distractions, do the recall training again, this time on a long lead. Do the same as what you did in the house(will probably need 2 people), get some one to hold him in a sit on his lead(hold lead in one hand, dog in the other).
You go 6-7 feet away and start calling him, when you have his attention, get the other persoon to let go off the dog, but hold on to the lead, when he comes to you trat and praise as always.
Keep doing this until he comes every time, then try and do it off the lead.
You can then use the running in the opposite direction technique.
Sorry can't help you with dog trainers in your area as i don't live round there, and don't know of any.

[Georgieboy View Georgieboy's Profile Find Georgieboy's Posts Find Georgieboy's Threads Send Georgieboy a message E-Mail Georgieboy]

Cheers Andy

Keeping up the practice hes actually great everytime until there is another dog about, then forget it getting better though he stops to 'suss' them out now before jumping all over them as a few have told him off, another question ref type of leads was thinking of getting a slip rope mainly to do some heal training and as a backup to keep in my pocket but what is the correct way to put one of these on even google search is a bit confusing best i found was, when you face the dog make the lead into a P and place it over his head is that right?

[Andy View Andy's Profile Find Andy's Posts Find Andy's Threads Send Andy a message E-Mail Andy]

I would guess that is what you would do with it but as for the correct placing I've no idea, as i have never used them.

[rekiangel View rekiangel's Profile Find rekiangel's Posts Find rekiangel's Threads Send rekiangel a message E-Mail rekiangel]

its the same as puttin a choker on......just make sure wen u pull it tight it goes loose again all by itself....x

[Piz View Piz's Profile Find Piz's Posts Find Piz's Threads Send Piz a message E-Mail Piz]

Depends on the actual dog and the person, all the dogs iv had have been perfect for me off leads some taking a couple of weeks some taking months. My jack russell was well behaved for me since her first outing, but is a nightmare for everyone else. I R PACK LEADER :DDD

[Andy View Andy's Profile Find Andy's Posts Find Andy's Threads Send Andy a message E-Mail Andy]

Georgieboy any update on the progress off the off lead training.

[Georgieboy View Georgieboy's Profile Find Georgieboy's Posts Find Georgieboy's Threads Send Georgieboy a message E-Mail Georgieboy]

(16-06-2011 07:46 PM)Andy Wrote:  Georgieboy any update on the progress off the off lead training.

Hi Yes

He has turned into a pro within the last few weeks, I have been training him on the field every night, sit , stay, come to whistle and hand signals, also heel on and off the lead. He doesn't run up to other dogs or people any more either just looks in their direction and if i see the dog & owner look ok I let him go over and play a bit fantastic just got to stop him eating my socks now Ha.

[Andy View Andy's Profile Find Andy's Posts Find Andy's Threads Send Andy a message E-Mail Andy]

Wow that is impressive, I've always found Labradors easy to train.
What techniques have you been using? Have you used any of the tips I gave?
Trixie is also very fond of eating socks.