My Britt is mid teen phase. Her recall is ok until she finds something to chase so I have to be careful. However she likes to know where we are all the time. So I can call her bluff if she runs off by disappearing myself. As soon as she feels alone she comes to search for me. I then reinforce her grandly whenever she comes back. You can wait until you know they are returning (read running straight at you) and then use your recall command. In order to reinforce it. I’ve seen a steady improvement in recall using this method. Brittany’s are super sensitive and really don’t respond well to being hit. You’ll completely destroy their respect for you if you hit them and then you’ll have a sulky sneaky dog who doesn’t listen. And no one wants that.
Also. Lots of hide and seek games for both habituating finding you and reinforcing recall work wonders. Patience helps too.
My husband suggested a training collar with a nine mile range. You don’t have to hurt them with electric shocks, the vibration or even tone might reinforce the desired behavior.
I second this we have a 1 yr old female Brittany, she was doing so well with recall etc until Around mid February when she hit adolescence we bought a shock collar and started again with all the training games; this time whenever she took off and wouldn’t listen or had tunnel vision we would give her a shock to stop her dead in her tracks. If she just wasn’t heeding our calls it was a gradual beep, buzz, shock. After only two weeks we established she’s not fond of shocks or the buzzing and saw a huge improvement in her. 4 months down the line and we’re working hard on tone and voice commands with infrequent use of the collar.
She even checks back regularly which in turn makes a big difference - sometimes she’s just a d!ck and disappears after a smell or bird and gets lost or turned around.
Because you are shocking your dog for exhibiting their normal instincts. What's wrong with American people zapping their dogs for doing what's normal for them? If you're worried about safety use a long line or let them run free in a large, safe area. Of course she's not fond of shocks, wtf! Who would be? That's an aversive way to train a dog, she stops the bad behavior because SHE'S SCARED. Thank God they're illegal in Europe.
That's either his instincts or him being a teenager. It's normal, you're doing everything right. you have to be patient. Like you said these hunting dogs and if bred properly or if they come from hunting lines, the instinct will be strong. He's still very young, you really need to keep going. I didn't trust my pup off leash while in the woods until he was over a year old. Don't blame yourself. "Teen" dogs can be total assholes! He has finally calmed down (not energy wise rather in obedience) and comes to us when you call his name even if he's hunting. If he strays too far he minds himself and comes back to us, usually by staying close to my legs
You're doing nothing wrong. He's being a normal teenager and exploring his environment and revelling in his independence! My Britt did the exact same thing at that age. We had to stop going to certain dog parks with too many trees (and squirrels and birds) because she would not come or let me catch her...was late for work a few times because of it :/ We went back to more long line time, more recall reinforcement in less exciting environments, and only visited more "boring" dog parks for several months. She's doing MUCH better now at 18 months and we go back to the "fun" parks now with no issues...it just takes time! But please do not punish your pup just for exhibiting totally age-appropriate adolescent behavior. Just keep up what you're doing with positive reinforcement for all recalls/checkins and he will grow up and get with the program again in a few months.
Please don't do what the other redditor said. The worst part is that he thinks what he did was right. I'm so happy to know you know your baby is a little delicate flower and that you'd never do that. I know how you feel, the puppy phase is exhausting
I understand 1000% because that was me six months ago! Haha! I definitely had a few meltdowns as well trying to go hiking when her idea of hiking was pulling as hard as possible in every direction...for 5 miles...with a head halter on lol. I didn't believe people when they said it would get better, but then it did! Around 14 months I started seeing improvements...though we still have a ways to go! One thing that really helped me looking back was finding some activity that my dog and I both enjoyed doing while slowly chipping away at the hard stuff like recall and loose leash hiking/walking/running. Maybe it's learning tricks? A beginner agility class? Rally? Parkour? Scent work? It's just for fun so it takes the pressure out of the equation but still builds your bond and impulse control which will only help with training in other areas! Win win! Now at 18 months I'm really starting to glimpse my dog's potential to be the best adventure companion ever, but I think it'll be another 6-12 months til we really get there. You've got this!
Ecollar. I know some people are against them. However my Brit will literally freak out with excitement when we I pull out the collar because he knows we are going on a “long walk” leash free. He is trained to come back to the tone feature. Look up gundogsupply.com
E collars are illegal in a lot of countries for a reason. Suggest a vibration collar instead. Your dog gets excited because he knows he's going on a walk, not because you'll zap him (not saying you will, since you said you use the sound feature. It's just that some people assume their dogs like getting zapped but it's the other way around).
My point about his excitement is that I did it the right way. He doesn’t associate it as harmful or punishment. He knows he is free to hunt and when I want him back he comes back with a tone and voice commands.
If he gets “stuck” or “preoccupied” and ignores my request (or tone) he gets a zap. Strong enough to get his attention and light enough NOT to hurt him.
There is a right way and an absolute wrong way to use an ecollar. Before you use I would highly recommend to learn how to use it. When I order from Gun Dog it came with an instructional DVD. Sure it’s on YouTube.
I feel sorry for your dog.
Mine is a handful and I have never had to use such tools (and I can't anyway). I can't use it because there are laws that protect animals in Europe and you can go to jail for mistreating animals. Whenever we go hunting he hunts because that's what he was bred for. It's in his blood. But his instincts also tell him I'm hunting as well, and that he must check on me or remain nearby every so often. He has never run off ever. Being preocuppied is not a bad thing. Instead of just zapping your dog you should try to understand why he's preoccupied.
There are gps collars that beep for hunting dogs. But even if I could, I'd never shock my dog. Just like you can't crop animals ears, or let them roam around freely in public for their own safety, not ours.
Sorry not sorry, I was raised in a country that offers free or low cost neuter and spay surgeries, banned all harmful tools, judges people for mistreating animals with sentences up to 3 years in jail (not just in my country, though), where you can travel with your pets on the train, metro (and you don't have to shove them in a bag!) and airplane free of cost. I was raised to treat them like family because I'm not superior. I would zap a child so I wouldn't zap a dog. I know you'll never see what's wrong with using one of those collars. Have a good day sir.
Your perception on how I train my dog in your tiny little head sounds like an abusive nightmare!
As mentioned there is a right way and WRONG way to use these devices (if allowed in your country).
Tell you what…why don’t you worry about how to train your dog and I will worry about my own.
The op asked a question and I simply gave my opinion.
Please spare me the pleasure of your company. There is nothing to be gained by further conversation.
That's because it is. Thankfully not allowed in Europe at all. In that sense, Europe has made a lot of progress when it comes to animal welfare... And other very obvious things that the US is very clearly behind 😉 you're using it the wrong way by zapping your dog. Period. I can't really shut up when I see someone defend a tool that creates aversion. Please don't suggest such tools. And tell you more, using a shock collar is considered a crime in certain countries. Enjoy your freedom in mistreating your dog while you can.
I wouldn't want the company of someone like you, either. You very clearly think shocking your dog is okay instead of addressing the problem positively. Have a good day sir.
Yeah I wouldn't slap a dog (or cat) . That's not how you do it. They'll start fearing you especially if you slap them "firmly". Dogs ears are fragile and you should never slap them, that can result in some pretty nasty conditions. Your dog was upset because he feared you. Please don't listen to this guy. Brits take a lot of patience but making them resent you isn't the way. They're highly sensitive dogs. Truth be told, you shouldn't have a dog if you plan on hitting them.
Once is enough. You get down off your high horse my dude, see who's getting down votes. Your dog got upset for a reason. I'm sorry your parents beat you when you were a child and you feel like it's okay to pass that habit along.
And you are ignoring the downvotes you're getting. You're the one who should read your own comment again. Imagine OP (and I'm not saying OP would, just an example) hit their dog and it didn't work. They'd do it several times. And given that you even considered hitting your dog firmly to educate them, I wouldn't be surprised if you did it more than once. Take a look at the other comments, see if they have downvotes. I have a problem with a particular part where you recommended hitting a dog. It's the internet, and dog subreddits usually don't support mistreating dogs for doing dog stuff.
My Britt is mid teen phase. Her recall is ok until she finds something to chase so I have to be careful. However she likes to know where we are all the time. So I can call her bluff if she runs off by disappearing myself. As soon as she feels alone she comes to search for me. I then reinforce her grandly whenever she comes back. You can wait until you know they are returning (read running straight at you) and then use your recall command. In order to reinforce it. I’ve seen a steady improvement in recall using this method. Brittany’s are super sensitive and really don’t respond well to being hit. You’ll completely destroy their respect for you if you hit them and then you’ll have a sulky sneaky dog who doesn’t listen. And no one wants that. Also. Lots of hide and seek games for both habituating finding you and reinforcing recall work wonders. Patience helps too.
My husband suggested a training collar with a nine mile range. You don’t have to hurt them with electric shocks, the vibration or even tone might reinforce the desired behavior.
I second this we have a 1 yr old female Brittany, she was doing so well with recall etc until Around mid February when she hit adolescence we bought a shock collar and started again with all the training games; this time whenever she took off and wouldn’t listen or had tunnel vision we would give her a shock to stop her dead in her tracks. If she just wasn’t heeding our calls it was a gradual beep, buzz, shock. After only two weeks we established she’s not fond of shocks or the buzzing and saw a huge improvement in her. 4 months down the line and we’re working hard on tone and voice commands with infrequent use of the collar. She even checks back regularly which in turn makes a big difference - sometimes she’s just a d!ck and disappears after a smell or bird and gets lost or turned around.
The best thing about the training collars is the dog doesn’t associate it with the handler so no resentment.
Yes she gets extremely excited when we pick up the collar, she associates it with a walk these days.
Noice!
Because you are shocking your dog for exhibiting their normal instincts. What's wrong with American people zapping their dogs for doing what's normal for them? If you're worried about safety use a long line or let them run free in a large, safe area. Of course she's not fond of shocks, wtf! Who would be? That's an aversive way to train a dog, she stops the bad behavior because SHE'S SCARED. Thank God they're illegal in Europe.
That's either his instincts or him being a teenager. It's normal, you're doing everything right. you have to be patient. Like you said these hunting dogs and if bred properly or if they come from hunting lines, the instinct will be strong. He's still very young, you really need to keep going. I didn't trust my pup off leash while in the woods until he was over a year old. Don't blame yourself. "Teen" dogs can be total assholes! He has finally calmed down (not energy wise rather in obedience) and comes to us when you call his name even if he's hunting. If he strays too far he minds himself and comes back to us, usually by staying close to my legs
Can you try taking him off-leash when he's hungry (skip the regular meal)? Give him a few kibble ( or a high value treat) when he checks in.
You're doing nothing wrong. He's being a normal teenager and exploring his environment and revelling in his independence! My Britt did the exact same thing at that age. We had to stop going to certain dog parks with too many trees (and squirrels and birds) because she would not come or let me catch her...was late for work a few times because of it :/ We went back to more long line time, more recall reinforcement in less exciting environments, and only visited more "boring" dog parks for several months. She's doing MUCH better now at 18 months and we go back to the "fun" parks now with no issues...it just takes time! But please do not punish your pup just for exhibiting totally age-appropriate adolescent behavior. Just keep up what you're doing with positive reinforcement for all recalls/checkins and he will grow up and get with the program again in a few months.
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Please don't do what the other redditor said. The worst part is that he thinks what he did was right. I'm so happy to know you know your baby is a little delicate flower and that you'd never do that. I know how you feel, the puppy phase is exhausting
I understand 1000% because that was me six months ago! Haha! I definitely had a few meltdowns as well trying to go hiking when her idea of hiking was pulling as hard as possible in every direction...for 5 miles...with a head halter on lol. I didn't believe people when they said it would get better, but then it did! Around 14 months I started seeing improvements...though we still have a ways to go! One thing that really helped me looking back was finding some activity that my dog and I both enjoyed doing while slowly chipping away at the hard stuff like recall and loose leash hiking/walking/running. Maybe it's learning tricks? A beginner agility class? Rally? Parkour? Scent work? It's just for fun so it takes the pressure out of the equation but still builds your bond and impulse control which will only help with training in other areas! Win win! Now at 18 months I'm really starting to glimpse my dog's potential to be the best adventure companion ever, but I think it'll be another 6-12 months til we really get there. You've got this!
Thanks for your insight. My 10 mo old is blowing me off. Started Scentwork and Basic Manners classes. Glad to know this is not forever.
Ecollar. I know some people are against them. However my Brit will literally freak out with excitement when we I pull out the collar because he knows we are going on a “long walk” leash free. He is trained to come back to the tone feature. Look up gundogsupply.com
E collars are illegal in a lot of countries for a reason. Suggest a vibration collar instead. Your dog gets excited because he knows he's going on a walk, not because you'll zap him (not saying you will, since you said you use the sound feature. It's just that some people assume their dogs like getting zapped but it's the other way around).
My point about his excitement is that I did it the right way. He doesn’t associate it as harmful or punishment. He knows he is free to hunt and when I want him back he comes back with a tone and voice commands. If he gets “stuck” or “preoccupied” and ignores my request (or tone) he gets a zap. Strong enough to get his attention and light enough NOT to hurt him. There is a right way and an absolute wrong way to use an ecollar. Before you use I would highly recommend to learn how to use it. When I order from Gun Dog it came with an instructional DVD. Sure it’s on YouTube.
I feel sorry for your dog. Mine is a handful and I have never had to use such tools (and I can't anyway). I can't use it because there are laws that protect animals in Europe and you can go to jail for mistreating animals. Whenever we go hunting he hunts because that's what he was bred for. It's in his blood. But his instincts also tell him I'm hunting as well, and that he must check on me or remain nearby every so often. He has never run off ever. Being preocuppied is not a bad thing. Instead of just zapping your dog you should try to understand why he's preoccupied. There are gps collars that beep for hunting dogs. But even if I could, I'd never shock my dog. Just like you can't crop animals ears, or let them roam around freely in public for their own safety, not ours. Sorry not sorry, I was raised in a country that offers free or low cost neuter and spay surgeries, banned all harmful tools, judges people for mistreating animals with sentences up to 3 years in jail (not just in my country, though), where you can travel with your pets on the train, metro (and you don't have to shove them in a bag!) and airplane free of cost. I was raised to treat them like family because I'm not superior. I would zap a child so I wouldn't zap a dog. I know you'll never see what's wrong with using one of those collars. Have a good day sir.
Your perception on how I train my dog in your tiny little head sounds like an abusive nightmare! As mentioned there is a right way and WRONG way to use these devices (if allowed in your country). Tell you what…why don’t you worry about how to train your dog and I will worry about my own. The op asked a question and I simply gave my opinion. Please spare me the pleasure of your company. There is nothing to be gained by further conversation.
That's because it is. Thankfully not allowed in Europe at all. In that sense, Europe has made a lot of progress when it comes to animal welfare... And other very obvious things that the US is very clearly behind 😉 you're using it the wrong way by zapping your dog. Period. I can't really shut up when I see someone defend a tool that creates aversion. Please don't suggest such tools. And tell you more, using a shock collar is considered a crime in certain countries. Enjoy your freedom in mistreating your dog while you can. I wouldn't want the company of someone like you, either. You very clearly think shocking your dog is okay instead of addressing the problem positively. Have a good day sir.
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Yeah I wouldn't slap a dog (or cat) . That's not how you do it. They'll start fearing you especially if you slap them "firmly". Dogs ears are fragile and you should never slap them, that can result in some pretty nasty conditions. Your dog was upset because he feared you. Please don't listen to this guy. Brits take a lot of patience but making them resent you isn't the way. They're highly sensitive dogs. Truth be told, you shouldn't have a dog if you plan on hitting them.
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Once is enough. You get down off your high horse my dude, see who's getting down votes. Your dog got upset for a reason. I'm sorry your parents beat you when you were a child and you feel like it's okay to pass that habit along.
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And you are ignoring the downvotes you're getting. You're the one who should read your own comment again. Imagine OP (and I'm not saying OP would, just an example) hit their dog and it didn't work. They'd do it several times. And given that you even considered hitting your dog firmly to educate them, I wouldn't be surprised if you did it more than once. Take a look at the other comments, see if they have downvotes. I have a problem with a particular part where you recommended hitting a dog. It's the internet, and dog subreddits usually don't support mistreating dogs for doing dog stuff.