Issues letting the dog out in the garden - Page 2

Molly77 · #11 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrowzig

I'd expect a collie that age to need more than 2 hour-long walks a day. You say some of that time is let off, running around - how much of that time? I give my 2 yr old collie around 2 hours a day off-lead, and another 40 - 60 minutes on lead. What mental work does she get on these walks, or at home? Do you practice off-lead stays, instant downs and recalls on your walks, throw her ball but not go off to get it until told she can? Do you do scentwork, hiding things for her to find? Obedience-type training? Agility? Herding?

I think edidasa is right about frustration. Boredom too, maybe?

Thanks for your reply Burrowzig.

Her walks usually consist of about 40 minutes off lead and 20 minutes lead walking. We do quite a lot of recall, throwing toys, etc. In addition to that, we have playtime in the garden etc.

Both trainers have said this is fine but your post has made me think that it's not... I have thought about doing agility, flyball and things with her but until we have her completely obedience trained I wasn't sure it was the best idea.

It is becoming clear that we haven't necessarily done the best by her or understood her needs and accept that we've been naive to the complexity of the collie breed but hopefully we can get things sorted.

Rini · #12 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandad

She needs to be taught good manners. Open the door a little when she charges it, close it firmly and then wait. When she is calm open the door a little and if she charges it close it again. Get your timing right as you don't want any injuries. You need to do this at every door, not just the kitchen door. If she is controllable inside, use an inside door to teach this. When she is sitting of her own accord. Step through the door and call her through. this training is teaching her self control and good manners. You wouldn;t have a child charge through a door or a gate, you never know whats on the other side. Keep doing this until you have condiitoned the respons that door opening means sit. Then start on the outside door.

I was also going to suggest doing this. She shouldn't go out until she is calm, once she is calm she can go out and will learn that she must be calm to get what she wants, access to the yard.

(I'm not a trainer but I've seen this method work and this would be what I would try first along side making sure she gets enough physical and mental stimulation!)

edidasa · #13 (**permalink**) 18-10-2011, 10:08 AM

I've worked with various types of frustration, creating it as well as capping (controlling it)

When you say 'charges' the door - does she RAM the door too?

How to deal:
You need to introduce a SECONDARY stimuli to condition an OPPOSITE behaviour. For example, buy some rugs, teach her to walk quietly on them (maybe outside in the garden or in a separate area of the house).

Then, move the rugs gradually into the area where she 'charges'.

If you have conditioned the 'calm' walking well enough, you can transfer the rugs to where your door is, (where she usually charged) - then, slowly fade the rugs away (taking one away etc.) over a period of several days/weeks. Depends on the dog.

It's difficult to CORRECT your dog's behavior because:

1. corrections may INCREASE FRUSTRATION (positive punishment)
2. the dog is CONDITIONED TO ACT MENTAL/HYPED UP when she goes to that area - this is thus NOT her fault... it's conditioned..... out of habit...
e.g. we condition dogs to SLEEP in crates...

As for other posts, exercising your dog will make little difference if it is from a frustration aspect.

Other ideas?? You have to find out what 'triggers' her... then counter condition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molly77

Thank you Edidasa, this is a very interesting point of view and not one I've heard previously. It makes sense but part of the issue is her charging at the door/trying to charge out of the door more so than the barking sometimes. How do I deal with this without closing the door or holding her back on a lead?

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