Chickentrain's Dog Q&A

[black_cat]

I’m not sure about the walking on leash part but it sounds like she might just need more exercise in general? Which for a GSP is not just a walk around the block or whatever. She needs HARD running. And lots of it. She sounds bored and frustrated with lots of pent up energy. I think if she got more running in she might be more manageable on leash. Also more mental stimulation as well.

She runs around a lot on her own in their large yard and sizable chunk of woodsy property, as well as the neighbor's yard (who like her). However, in the one afternoon I was there and mainly focused on the dog, I was told that
-She's impossible to walk on the leash
-She shouldn't be allowed to sniff things on walks
-She's horrible at playing fetch
None of these are true, especially the fetch- She brings the ball to you and drops it at your feet without being asked. She's fully grown- if I'm walking her, should I just take her on longer walks? How long? The one that I always do when I walk her is about 1.3 miles (I know this because I run the same route).

And they may need to try a different tool if the head collar isn’t working. Perhaps even a prong (which really are not cruel like most people think) or a no pull harness (though I’d only do this temporarily as it could hurt the shoulders long term) or she may even be a dog that would work for food maybe?

She would probably work for food

And reward her for being in the correct position. Might need to start inside first.

Not much space inside (just no big open spaces) but I could try in the yard.

But GSPs are extremely high energy dogs and a working breed so I’m guessing she needs far more exercise.

 

[ShrekDawg]

She runs around a lot on her own in their large yard and sizable chunk of woodsy property, as well as the neighbor's yard (who like her). However, in the one afternoon I was there and mainly focused on the dog, I was told that
-She's impossible to walk on the leash
-She shouldn't be allowed to sniff things on walks
-She's horrible at playing fetch
None of these are true, especially the fetch- She brings the ball to you and drops it at your feet without being asked. She's fully grown- if I'm walking her, should I just take her on longer walks? How long? The one that I always do when I walk her is about 1.3 miles (I know this because I run the same route).

She would probably work for food

Not much space inside (just no big open spaces) but I could try in the yard.

Dogs don’t really usually run or play much on their own. She needs structured exercise and “work” even if it’s just some tricks or something she’s been taught to do. Is there a field or some place she could tear around?

And actually the sniffing would probably be good for her. It uses a lot of mental energy processing the “news” hahah so I would let her if you can but then you wouldn’t want to get in trouble or something. But even if you could just maybe take her on a separate sniffing walk even if it’s for 5 minutes. I think that would help a lot. But it’d be great if you get let her sniff on the regular walk too and might wear her out more if you can’t go further. Though that sounds like a pretty good walk.

Though for a GSP that’s like nothing she really should be getting like 2 hours of running every day. Or at least an hour.

Could you possibly do the loop twice so the walk is twice as long? That might help too even if you can only do it a couple times. And/or let her sniff some on the walk.

But if they’re worried about the structure then you could make her work for the privilege of sniffing. Even if that’s just sit and eye contact or some tricks or whatever. You could try structured walks too. Practicing obedience and/or tricks on the walks. All those might make the walk more exciting and interesting and also far more tiring than just walking around like a zombie.

And I would try with food then and see if that helps at all.

 

[h2oratt]

But if you have a puppy that's at the beginning of it's training so they're pulling and they're choking themselves with a collar, aren't you just associating walks with stress/pain?

Not if you train them. A martingale collar releases when they quit pulling.

 

[black_cat]

Dogs don’t really usually run or play much on their own.

She definitely runs, but maybe it's like how dogs will fence run and it doesn't really count? Idk

She needs structured exercise and “work” even if it’s just some tricks or something she’s been taught to do. Is there a field or some place she could tear around?

There isn't an off leash field that I could reasonably take her to, and her recall isn't quite good enough for that.

And actually the sniffing would probably be good for her. It uses a lot of mental energy processing the “news” hahah so I would let her if you can

Oh yeah I totally did, that's like half the point of the walk!

but then you wouldn’t want to get in trouble or something.

Kids said that (probably because they don't like walking her in the first place, and don't want to wait) but I don't think that parents care.

But even if you could just maybe take her on a separate sniffing walk even if it’s for 5 minutes. I think that would help a lot. But it’d be great if you get let her sniff on the regular walk too and might wear her out more if you can’t go further. Though that sounds like a pretty good walk.

Though for a GSP that’s like nothing she really should be getting like 2 hours of running every day. Or at least an hour.

Could you possibly do the loop twice so the walk is twice as long? That might help too even if you can only do it a couple times. And/or let her sniff some on the walk.

I could! I live in a great dog walking neighborhood because there are several cul-de-sacs (friend lives right down the street). I'm currently taking her around one and then around the block, but I could include some others as well. There's also a nature park where I could hike with her on trails, but it's a mile round trip to just walk there (there's a shortcut but it takes a busier road).

But if they’re worried about the structure then you could make her work for the privilege of sniffing. Even if that’s just sit and eye contact or some tricks or whatever. You could try structured walks too. Practicing obedience and/or tricks on the walks. All those might make the walk more exciting and interesting and also far more tiring than just walking around like a zombie.

She doesn't follow commands as well when she's not focused....should I teach a 'watch me' command?

And I would try with food then and see if that helps at all.

 

[black_cat]

My parents are 'on the fence' about an electric fence. (My mom is for it, my dad is hesitant). This wouldn't be a 'stick the dog in the yard' fence, but it would be for safe playing in the yard without the straight shot all the way down the row of houses b/c of connected yards. What side should I be on?

 

[chickentrains]

My parents are 'on the fence' about an electric fence. (My mom is for it, my dad is hesitant). This wouldn't be a 'stick the dog in the yard' fence, but it would be for safe playing in the yard without the straight shot all the way down the row of houses b/c of connected yards. What side should I be on?

if the dog isn't out there alone to accidently get stuck on the other side of the fence, I see no harm. Most dogs get shocked once or twice and thats all.. just put up a visual barrier, too. When we got our electric fence (the dogs squeezed through our pool fence and swam when we couldn't watch, so we got an electric fence for the frence), we where given little flags to put up.

 

[h2oratt]

She runs around a lot on her own in their large yard and sizable chunk of woodsy property, as well as the neighbor's yard (who like her). However, in the one afternoon I was there and mainly focused on the dog, I was told that
-She's impossible to walk on the leash
-She shouldn't be allowed to sniff things on walks
-She's horrible at playing fetch
None of these are true, especially the fetch- She brings the ball to you and drops it at your feet without being asked. She's fully grown- if I'm walking her, should I just take her on longer walks? How long? The one that I always do when I walk her is about 1.3 miles (I know this because I run the same route).

She would probably work for food

Not much space inside (just no big open spaces) but I could try in the yard.

My parents are 'on the fence' about an electric fence. (My mom is for it, my dad is hesitant). This wouldn't be a 'stick the dog in the yard' fence, but it would be for safe playing in the yard without the straight shot all the way down the row of houses b/c of connected yards. What side should I be on?

I will never sell a puppy to someone that doesn’t have a real fence. Even then a virtual fence can still allow anything to come on your property. A high prey dog will easily take the shock if something is acing by. The high prey drive is all about survival of the species.

 

[h2oratt]

Puppy shopping list:
-Flat collar
-tag for collar
-harness
-raised thing for bowls
-chew toy
-puzzle/food toy
-variety of other toys- 1 ropey toy, 1 squeaky toy, 1 stuffie with no squeak, and 1 ball that isn't a tennis ball (logic on this is that we see what works (example: if he likes to de-squeak squeaky toys, then we don't need a lot) and getting more of the stuff that works best)


We already have:
Leashes
Bags
Crate

Some dogs eat rope toys. Expensive surgery to get it out.

 

[ShrekDawg]

She definitely runs, but maybe it's like how dogs will fence run and it doesn't really count? Idk

There isn't an off leash field that I could reasonably take her to, and her recall isn't quite good enough for that.

Oh yeah I totally did, that's like half the point of the walk!

Kids said that (probably because they don't like walking her in the first place, and don't want to wait) but I don't think that parents care.

I could! I live in a great dog walking neighborhood because there are several cul-de-sacs (friend lives right down the street). I'm currently taking her around one and then around the block, but I could include some others as well. There's also a nature park where I could hike with her on trails, but it's a mile round trip to just walk there (there's a shortcut but it takes a busier road).

She doesn't follow commands as well when she's not focused....should I teach a 'watch me' command?

Yeah, she’s probably not running top speed haha or maybe she’s running a little bit but I think needs something longer maybe.

Are you the only one exercising her or? Could they take her somewhere? Or alternatively if her recall isn’t great, you could try keeping her on a long line and/or an e collar if they’d let you. But the e collar requires training so I’d go with a long line if they don’t already have a collar. They have a ton of different lengths and width and stuff too. Anywhere from like 10-15 feet or 25 up to like 50 ft, 100 ft, etc. and that would let her explore and run around, get some more exercise, but still be under control. And you could also work on her recall at the same time so added bonus haha these are not flexi leads btw, I think those are dangerous tbh, but it’s just a regular leash that’s way longer. I got mine online but they have some in stores. They don’t usually have the big 50 ft ones though. A horse lunge like might work too

I’m glad you’re letting her sniff though. That’s good. I would definitely take her on those trails if you can! A mile isn’t too bad and I think it’d be really good for her to go on not only a longer walk but also something more interesting like a hike in the woods where she can sniff and explore haha even if you just do it every once in a while and not all the time. You could also go on a longer walk in the neighborhood too but I think the trails would be a great idea.

And a watch me command is always good just to know but I would also kind of start over so to speak with her training and start inside or on a deck or garage or somewhere totally non distracting and make sure she’s solid on the basics then slowly introduce distractions a little at a time. Starting with something not very interesting and working up to bigger distractions. Dogs don’t generalize well so just because they know it inside with no distractions doesn’t mean they will know it when they’re outside with a squirrel or deer running by haha they have to be introduced slowly and only once they are successful at the previous level.

 

[black_cat]

I will never sell a puppy to someone that doesn’t have a real fence. Even then a virtual fence can still allow anything to come on your property. A high prey dog will easily take the shock if something is acing by. The high prey drive is all about survival of the species.

Our yard is partially physically fenced, and the part that isn't has a reason: it would require heavy machinery, the removal of an entire hill that is mostly based on huge rocks, and thousands of dollars.


My question is about if the benefits of an electric fence outweigh the risks, in a situation where the dog would be outside with supervision, and not just tossed in the yard.