Dudley is a ranger

[dylansdad]

Dudley dog (male 2.5 yrs bedlington/greyhound x terrier) is a ranger. By that, I mean that whenever we go for an off lead walk, he disappears to the perimeter of the space we're in and uses us as the centre of a circle whilst he explores hedgerows, fences, etc around us. He never clears off and occasionally rewards us with RAF style fly pasts. When we move to a different area, he tracks us and keeps 'in touch' but we don't feel that he actually walks with us.
We've tried long leads,treats, whistles, toys all to no avail and the most effective way we have found to bring him in to put a leash back on is to walk markedly away from wherever he is heading. 2 or 3 of these and he usually come close and sits/lays happily for his lead.

I'd like him to walk with us. I guess the obvious step would be to keep him on his lead, but I like to see him running free and I'm not convinced that he gets enough exercise ambling along at our walking pace.

I'm considering
a) another concerted month of on lead all the time (this improves but doesn't resolve matters)
b) agility training, at which I think he'd do rather well

Any other strategies we could try

Allan

[Deleted]

I'd guess that's the terrier in him - just his nature. From what you describe I don't think I'd worry too much but if you want him to stay closer then I would say your best option is to make sure you're more interesting than hedgerows etc. Good luck! ;D

Seriously though, I would suggest plenty of toys - does he like balls or tuggers? You could do a little 'sit' or a few steps of heelwork (or just walking nicely near you) then a big exciting game. Plenty of treats if he likes them - just work on being all the fun he wants on a walk. Personally even then I would make sure he gets time just to be a terrier as that's obviously what he loves.

At least it sounds as though you don't have to worry about him going off altogether, or about how he would greet another dog appearing so all in all, one of the nicer problems to have.

Nearly forgot to add - I'm sure he'd love agility, most dogs do. More time on lead will only keep him near you while he's on it, it won't stop him wanting to range further afield.

[dylansdad]

Hmm, being more interesting to a terriorist than the scent (real or imagined) of a rabbit/fox/squirrel/other dog/cat/ flower/ tree/ tin-can/leaf/worm/fly/....... how does that go again ?

He plays with balls etc around the home/garden. Recently he found a ball and that was his ultimate favorite. AH-HA thinks us, we'll take that to the park and bring it out when we want him to come close
PAH, thinks he - that's a home toy - I'm outside !!

At least he's sociable to other dogs :-)

[Deleted]

He sounds a real character. As you say ... being more interesting than all those smells ... hope you like a challenge! ;D

[Emma]

We've noticed a HUGE difference in Dot since we've been going to agility (only done 4 classes) She bounds back now, all smiley and happy, before it was 'in a minute, I'm just.........'

I would recommend it, even just to have a go for a few weeks if you can't commit to long term

Emma x

[Rachel and Daisy]

Hi there
Having a dog with a strong prey/hunting/ranging instinct is a REAL challenge and I know exactly the dilemma you are facing in wanting him to "have his freedom" yet feel like he is actually "walking with you". The irony is that if you can get him to understand that the walk is about being with you (predominantly) you will be able to allow him more real freedom.

I have used loads of different techniques with Daisy and read several articles and books about how to work with dogs with a high hunt drive. I agree with everything Kayb and Emma have said and can just add a couple of resources I have found invaluable. The first is a book called "chase" full ref: (von Reinhardt, C. (2010) Chase! Managing your dog’s predatory instincts. Dogwise publishing Wenatchee Washington USA).

Some authors suggest never playing chase games with your dogs as it encourages the drive, others suggest doing it to fulfill them - Its up to you to decide what works with you and your dog but personally I like to play chase games as it fulfills Daisy's breed needs while building a relationship with me rather than the real rabbit ;D Another exercise you could try with him is nose work if he is more of a sniffer - loads of good stuff out there on how to do this in really innovative ways and things like working trials would be good for this too.

The other resource is a woman called Dr Sophia Yin - her info on training is (in my opinion) absolutely spot on but in particular this article below on becoming more interesting than a squirrel was really helpful. I already had the basic steps under mine and Daisy's belt so we could move on quickly to the further steps.

drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/become-more-exciting-than-a-squirrel-teaching-a-reliable-come-when-called

Any reward based obedience training and agility, heel work to music or any other type of training will really reinforce the bond and relationship you have with your dog and will pay off in huge reward when you take him out and about as essentially the walk is just an extension of your relationship together.

It is hard and continuous work with a dog with a high ranging drive but the rewards are amazing if you persevere - Good luck with it all

[emmajane]

I have a little git Eric who is just the way you describe and while I can get him to walk at heel if I tell him to - I want him to be able to run and sniff and do dog things on his walks. However if I just let him be there is every chance that I would actually have him in sight for 5 mins in a 2 hour walk
I have gone down the route of working with what he finds enjoyable, ie sniffing and "hunting" so on our walks I engage him in games where I run excitedly to the hedgerow and call him over and send him in to sniff - same if I find anything that I know he will find interesting like bunny holes he can stick his head down, or fox poo etc etc etc. Sometimes I take his breakfast out with me and while he's not looking chuck it behind a bush and then send him to find it.
The more times you call him over and show him something interesting the more confidence he will have in your decision making and the more you will find him following what you do. Take notice of his body language so you can tell if he is trying to get your attention to show you something good - if he does make sure you back that up by going to see and getting excited and giving him praise. The first time you do that it will probably be very clear that he is thinking "About time - I've been trying to get you to come see these things for aaaages" ;D
As with anything the games need to have balance so he needs to understand that there are times that you are playing the game, times that the game is not appropriate and he is to stay close to you, and times he can just go and be a dog and do his own things.

I think Jim Greenwood is thinking of having some summer field work classes where the dogs (and humans) can learn hunting skills without the actual hunting of animals - things like learning to find dummies, to mark a scent, read body language and loads of other stuff that I have no idea about ;D It sounds very much like the kind of thing Eric would sell his soul to do - I just have to find the time.

Ps Eric thinks agility is just something to pass the time before he can run in the field looking for mice

[dylansdad]

That's really interesting, when he sees a sqirlie he yips at the base of the tree - perhaps I should go and show my appreciation. Other times he disappears into dense undergrowth following fox runs.

I'm a big fan of Jim Greenwood and would very much like to take part in his next session

Cheers
Allan

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