These mama's boys just don't know when to quit

[lizblackdog]

*sigh*

Squish had one of his Little Moments tonight when I took the dogs to the park. I don't know what it was he saw - likely a cat - but he took off in mid-fetch.

It only took me somewhere between five and ten minutes to get him back. He went out of the park and into a little cul-de-sac, exploring people's gardens and trashing through hedges. I had meatballs but even that didn't fetch him till he'd run himself into near-heat-exhaustion.

it's a setback, but still better than he has been. At one point he would have been actively avoiding me and he wasn't doing that - he was just so into the running that he didn't register me and meatball.

he was limping on the way home - looks like his shoulder - but by the time we got back to the flat he was limping less so it looks like he just pulled it or something. see how he is in the morning.

I don't know what to do. There are no secure fenced areas except the small childrens' playgrounds where dogs aren't allowed. I can't get a cord that'll hold him when he turns the speed on either - at least, none of the progressively-heavier cords I've used can hold him. I really don't want to restrict him to my walking pace. He can't learn anything or get enough exercise that way.

Comments

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

no tennis courts? what a drag. :(

i think you should probably practice more with him in a state of high excitement (even when on-leash).

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I'll try and do that. The trouble I've found with that is that when he's wanting to chase a cat or on a good scent he just doesn't register my existence at all.

but he HAS improved. He was loose four or five times before this happened with no trouble - once he would have just taken off the moment there wasn't a leash. He was also a lot easier to get back this time than he has been.

maybe a longer leash and a lot of meatball sessions in very interesting places like the woods.

...Spike just saw something out of the window and Squish got up and the limp is gone, so that's one good thing.

*sigh*

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

it's hard not to get complacent after there's been some improvement.

does he get excited about stuff out the window? that might be a good time to practice getting his attention.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

...now that's a good idea.

He doesn't get as excited as Spike does but cats outside do grab his attention. However, he can't chase or smell them from in here so it should be a good intermediate between "watching me for treats" and "unaware of my existence".

thank you!

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

i totally feel you on this - it's one of the reasons i wish desperately that we had a yard.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

yeah. It was never a problem with Spike, but I really feel the lack of completely safe outdoor space for Squish. Best I can do is the parks that aren't close to the straight roads.

luckily there's a lot of that here. So many cul-de-sacs where people can't drive fast even if they wanted to.

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

Is there a school nearby, maybe? We let our dog run on the football field at my old high school since it's mostly fenced in... not entirely, but enough to keep him contained as there's only a few exits, and they're easy to watch.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

The park we were IN is mostly fenced in. That's the thing with Squish, if there's a gap he goes for it - and he is SO fast.

we will win. we will. he IS getting better.

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I see.

[ifpetalsfall.livejournal.com]

My brothers dog is similar, a german pointer, he sees a bird and he's out of there. I don't think there is much you can do, except hope for the best. At least he is getting better!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

oh yes, it's a common problem with the breed.

a lot of people use shock collars. I'm not willing to go there but I can see why they do.

[ifpetalsfall.livejournal.com]

Yeah, its scary when there is a road. My Mom walks him on an off-leash "island" in the river valley so he can't get into traffic. That didn't stop him from running out onto the river in winter after a bird and falling through the ice though. Fortunately a good samaritan rescued him.

[miss-teacher.livejournal.com]

I can't get a cord that'll hold him when he turns the speed on either - at least, none of the progressively-heavier cords I've used can hold him.

I remember when he snapped the cord hte last time :/

Have you tried holding the end and when he sees something and takes off you run the same way to soften the blow on the cord? He might be too quicka nd strong and just end up making you face plant, though, so be careful. But if it's not tied to something in the ground you might be able to prevent it from snapping.

I second the tennis court of basketball court idea. Check the schools in your area and see if there's anything that will work. near my hosue there's a baseball diamond. It's normally lcoked but one of the back gates swings open so we can sneak in :)

Or I wonder if you tie him to the football post again if you put a bunjee thing on one end so if he does bolt that will have some leeway and not snap the cord (and kill his neck).

Good luck! I know this is frustrating, but at least you are making some progress. Set backs happen but it sounds like he's making baby steps towards the right direction.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Holding the cord: yes, and I not only faceplanted but got a nice rope burn across my hand as well.

he's - well, not easy but possible to hold on a leash, but if he has more than twenty feet or so to gather speed he's like a friggin' nuclear missile.

...there is a basketball court. I just realised there was when I went to One Stop just now. I've never seen it not full of people playing basketball, though. And Squish is scared of it, though he might not be scared of it if it were quiet. That might just be workable if I wake up early enough. Possibly.

[wirenth.livejournal.com]

would a thingamajig like this help?

friggin' nuclear missile. yeah. i hear ya.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Yours would be stronger but I bet Squish is faster... much of a muchness, I suspect! He can certainly outrun Spike easily, though Spike has better acceleration, brakes and steering.

that might be a good thing to use if I go back to using a long line - which I may have to, I guess. I just hate them a lot. So far with Squish, long lines have only been effective on the days he didn't try and take off anyway.

[wirenth.livejournal.com]

luce can haul ass when she's got a mind to. let's race 'em! ;)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

You're on! Only two dogs have ever outrun Spike - one was Squish and the other was a Saluki.

Luce'd beat him at tug though...

[wirenth.livejournal.com]

luce is like a bald, double-thick saluki ;)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

*gigglesnort*

I am now picturing her pulling down gazelles in the desert.

...come to that, she wouldn't need to outrun them. She'd just have to give them that grin..

[wirenth.livejournal.com]

i guess gazelles probably run faster than goats, eh? cuz mushroom's pretty slow but he's got that whole goat-grabbing thing down already.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

...all I can think of now is Captain Archer's gazelle speech.

I think gazelles are faster.

Mushroom is awesome. I am going to bed now, my brain is falling out!

[beebarf.livejournal.com]

Well, even though it's a setback probably six months ago you'd have been pleased you got him back so quickly :O)

Perhaps he just needed to let off steam, and he'll revert to "good Squish" again for a bit!