|
|
Post by loopylou on Feb 11, 2009 17:13:01 GMT -5
Dave and I both had a day off today, so were really pleased to be able to take Suggs and Tia out during daylight for an off lead run.Their first since Tia hurt her paw ten days ago.We went to the fields, to find the horses still in our usual one.So walked them through several very boggy fields until we came to a field with short grass , on quite a steep slope with loads of space for them to run.We could see fields on every side and at the far end in the distance a wood.Suggs has had good re-call apart from the early days when he wouldn't go far, but hide behind trees and bushes when it was time to go home.  When he went out with Molly they''d have a little run together, Molly would then stop and he'd run on his own or just mooch around.Tia has had good re-call and twice I've been able to call them off a rabbit.Today went badly pear shaped.We let them off lead and they just took off at top speed.We suspect they'd spotted a Hare.We weren't worried at first , but they didn't come back after a minute or so ,we called and called while walking in the direction they'd ran.We thought they would be in a field either side but no sign of them.Then as we came over the very steep slope we saw the wood wasn't at the bottom of the field but actually over a road.  Over from the road was another field, the only place left.We then saw cars slowing down and thought one of them had been hit by a car.They were actually letting Tia back over the road.Dave clipped her lead on while I climbed the fence, cut myself on barbed wire and fell in the mud.As I waited to cross the road a man said Suggs was in the field.I got into the field and called Suggs to me, he wouldn't move he just stood looking petrified I put his lead on and we began the long walk back to the car.Suggs was scared getting into the car because of passing traffic.He was in a RTA as a stray and has always been a bit wary of traffic.The front of his coat was caked in mud and they were both filthy.Tonight they are both very subdued, probably knackered, Tia is limping on the foot she cut last week and Suggs has sore pads.We both feel so guilty that we didn't realise the road was there, but you couldn't see it until you were almost on top of it, guilty for letting them off lead in a different field and so thankful they didn't get hit by a car or run off any further and get totally lost. Now for the question,what next?We both think Suggs has followed Tia in running so far in the first place and going through the gap in the hedge onto the road, she is extremely fast, we've noticed if they spot a rabbit or hare they work together to cut it off, although haven't caught one yet, unless they did today while out of sight.Do we never let either of them off lead again,which is how I feel at the moment , although they both get very unsettled without some off lead running, do we let Suggs off and not Tia, as don't think he'd go far away as he sticks to her like glue.Dave says they'll be ok in our usual field when the horses have been moved , but I think once they spot a rabbit they'll chase it until they caught it or lost it, and will find a way out of the field if really determined.I'd rather have unsettled dogs than dead/lost dogs.Suggs didn't seem to have any prey drive until last summer,when he occasionally chased with Molly, its definitely stronger when he's with Tia and I was shocked not at their speed but the amount of ground it allowed them to cover in very few minutes.Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to explain it properly. |
|
|
|
Post by just jackie on Feb 11, 2009 19:48:54 GMT -5
Blooming heck Linda that must have been a heart stopping experience.  I'm glad they both seem to have escaped unscathed from their dash. The urge to chase seems to outweigh any notion of listening to commands at times, and I know we have had a couple of anxious moments in the past when dogs have disappeared from sight for a while. Thankfully it has been in an area that we know, and well away from roads and other hazards. If it were me I think they would both be walked on lead for the foreseeable future unless you can find somewhere really secure to let them have a run. At least that way they will be safe, and you will avoid suffering a heart attack. Just a thought, how about a lunge rein, that way you can let them have a mooch whilst staying in control. There's quite a selection available on eBay. shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__lunge+rein_W0QQ_dmdZ2?crlp=731833000_228459_228460&UA=WVF%3F&GUID=2de89f0e11b0a0e202055da5ff8f2ba3&keyword=lunge+rein&agid=311046700Either that or buy Dave some jogging shorts and trainers and let him take them for a run around the field.  Jackie x
|
|
|
|
Post by vickyb on Feb 12, 2009 3:40:38 GMT -5
That must have been so scary  I've not had anything like that happen but they have all been much less responsive since we've had the snow as if it's addled their brains and that's been hard enough. I've no advice really other than that it shows the problem with letting them off in a place you don't know. There's an area near us that's like that, the road is in a dip between 2 fields and unless you know it's there you'd swear it was just fields until you're on top of it. I'd keep them on lead for a while and then only try again in a very familiar place. for your shattered nerves.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 4:12:06 GMT -5
I think until you actually experience something like this you don't appreciate how determined they are when they take off & how awful it feels, you are totally powerless to do anything you can shout & scream until you are blue in the face. I know that a bomb could go off next to my girls & they would carry on regardless. Personally I don't think it matters how much recall training you do, if they go they go. I just manage the situation as best as I can, yes they do a lot of on lead walking but it isn't going to kill them unlike running off & getting into trouble. I use long lines & they can mooch around. When they go off lead the girls don't have to be in a secure area but I make sure that I know the area well, can see for a long way, that the coast is clear & that if they do run off they aren't in any immediate danger. I don't usually let them off lead for the 1st time in new places until we have walked a few times there on lead, you never know it may be a regular meeting point for a Yorkshire Terrier convention (knowing my luck ) I would get some long lines & do more lead walking, build up your confidence again by letting them off lead only in secure areas. Tia hasn't been with you that long & I can't remember her history but she may need more time to settle down into a domestic situation. Remember you are trying to undo years of breeding & training. The longer I have had mine the more disinclined they have become to chase. They will eye things up & most of the time think 'nah can't be bovvered', occasionally they take off but it keeps me on my toes. I'm glad no harm was done & your guys are OK |
|
|
|
Post by loopylou on Feb 12, 2009 11:09:56 GMT -5
Thanks every one, we know little of Tias history, she was a stray, has never raced but came with a damaged leg, our vet thinks possibly a break left to heal on its own and several little marks and scars.She'd certainly had a hard life.Unfortunately today her leg is badly swollen and she can't put her weight on it.I don't think its to do with her cut toe pad from last week , she's booked in the vets tonight as is Suggs, who although we thought was unscathed has a ripped dew claw.They've always been a problem as they grow inwards.They certainly won't be going off lead for a while , when they do it will be in the usual field with Suggs being given his chance way before Tia.She is such a mad head she looks like butter wouldn't melt too.So not only has it been a frightening experience for us and the dogs it could well be an expensive one too, and a lesson learnt. |
|
|
|
Post by Princess C on Feb 12, 2009 11:30:42 GMT -5
Sounds horrible  You must have been really scared Like Wanda, I don't let mine (apart from Scout, who spends her time circling us in collie fashion) off in new places until I have walked there a couple of times and if it is a single field I always walk the boundaries for hazards/weak points first - I don't want to risk something popping up in front of us - Theo would chase anything and always heads for the nearest woods anyway and Otis is likely to damage himself running into wire, etc |
|
|
|
Post by andywillow on Feb 12, 2009 13:07:43 GMT -5
Agree with everything Wanda has said. Only my oldies and Willow go offlead on our local field, the only time the others get to run is when we go to the indoor riding school for the offlead sessions. I just darent risk it with my others as they are all keen and I really wouldnt want to tempt anything happening.
Sue
|
|
|
|
Post by Nettie on Feb 12, 2009 14:06:50 GMT -5
Long leads for now I think, also when you do first start letting them off in the field you know I'd do it alternately, keep one on lead and let the other off, and then change over, that way they can't egg each other on. I have this with Rio and Bertie, on their own they are fine, but together they are a nightmare and don't respond to commands so I either walk them separately or one stays on lead while the other is off.
|
|
|
|
Post by helen7 on Feb 12, 2009 14:38:07 GMT -5
I agree with the advice already given and I was just going to say off lead separately if you do let them off again but Nettie's beaten me to it ;D I'd give it a while though before letting Tia off and it may be that she can't go off lead safely unless the area is secure |
|
|
|
Post by loopylou on Feb 12, 2009 14:54:23 GMT -5
I agree with your comments and will be very wary of letting them off lead again particularly Tia,Suggs has been no problem until now, so would probably just let him off when we feel the time is right, and only in the field he is most familiar with. What is strange is that he was never keen for the first 12 months and now wants to chase everything, they are both fine with our cats, cats in the vets and little dogs.Unfortunately Tia has to go back to see Con tomorrow for x rays , he suspects she's broken the bottom of her leg.We'll never know how and I'll alays feel guilty that her first off lead in a fortnight ended like this.
|
|
|
|
Post by helen7 on Feb 12, 2009 15:14:13 GMT -5
I agree with your comments and will be very wary of letting them off lead again particularly Tia,Suggs has been no problem until now, so would probably just let him off when we feel the time is right, and only in the field he is most familiar with. What is strange is that he was never keen for the first 12 months and now wants to chase everything, they are both fine with our cats, cats in the vets and little dogs.Unfortunately Tia has to go back to see Con tomorrow for x rays , he suspects she's broken the bottom of her leg.We'll never know how and I'll alays feel guilty that her first off lead in a fortnight ended like this. Linda, try not to feel guilty the dogs are safe and still with you. The whole experience has made you think about how you walk them and what you do. These things happen to most of us at some point. They're scary when they do but they (hopefully) make us reassess what we're doing to ensure we keep our beloved hounds safe |
|
|
|
Post by Jane and Sara on Feb 12, 2009 15:17:05 GMT -5
I am so sorry you had such a scary time. I dare not let any of my four off the lead - the only place I have is Richmond Park and there are too many small dogs, rabbits and squirrels to do that. None of the dogs seem bothered about being on the lead all the time - I do give them a lot of fast walking on the lead though, twice a day.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 15:21:34 GMT -5
Linda, try not to feel guilty the dogs are safe and still with you. The whole experience has made you think about how you walk them and what you do. These things happen to most of us at some point. They're scary when they do but they (hopefully) make us reassess what we're doing to ensure we keep our beloved hounds safe H'exackerly these things happen to us all, why do you think I could write a small book on the do's & don'ts of letting a greyhound off lead |
|
|
|
Post by Princess C on Feb 12, 2009 15:32:39 GMT -5
Linda, try not to feel guilty the dogs are safe and still with you. The whole experience has made you think about how you walk them and what you do. These things happen to most of us at some point. They're scary when they do but they (hopefully) make us reassess what we're doing to ensure we keep our beloved hounds safe H'exackerly these things happen to us all, why do you think I could write a small book on the do's & don'ts of letting a greyhound off lead Me too, but with lurchers - only having had ancient greyhounds helps! We've all done things with hindsight that we wouldn't do again so please don't beat yourself up Linda |
|
|
|
Post by tesse0barney on Feb 12, 2009 16:44:36 GMT -5
I've made many mistakes in terms of my dogs (and most things to be honest!) but it's a learning curve.
Go back to basics as everyone has said as much to build your own confidence up again.
I've seen Tesse chase a herd of deer across as moorland and I was completely helpless. I didn't want to see her or the deer get hurt.... I was terrified it would end badly. I was lucky THAT time; it didn't and after a while she got bored and came back. I've not let her off lead there again even when I've been told the deer are in a separate area as I saw her clear stone walls like they were pebbles. Lesson learnt... that place is now on lead walks only and jam and scones at the end and we both still love it ;D
|
|
