ziplex Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 My GSP is a lovely gentle soul but there is one thing I just can't stop her doing which is to bolt through the door. I have tried shutting the door in her face, a trailing lead, scolding her verbally, a whippy stick swished in front of her nose, etc but it doesn't work. Both the Springers, one of which is only barely 6 months old will wait indoors with the front door open until I call them out to the car but Bree simply cannot help herself! If, which is rarely, I let her out before me she runs around the car screaming like a mad thing, I guess the neigbours think i'm 'beating that poor dog again' , I expect she can be heard two streets over. She has a very high drive and is obviously excited about getting out. I have tried waiting for up to 30 mins by the door until her whining and shaking stops but as soon as I make the slightest movement she's off shaking and crying again, desperate to get out. Once she's in the car she is quiet as a mouse, you simply wouldn't know she's there, once we get to where we're going she'll sit with the spaniels in the boot with the tailgate open for as long you like, I call them out one at a time and she's good as gold while she waits her turn ...which is second after the old girl Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 bring her to the door and make her sit or whoa (whichever you've taught). If she is steady, she should do it. If he breaks, correct her and put her back where you sat her in the first place. She shouldn't release from the sit until you give her the command she is used to. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 bring her to the door and make her sit or whoa (whichever you've taught). If she is steady, she should do it. If he breaks, correct her and put her back where you sat her in the first place. She shouldn't release from the sit until you give her the command she is used to. Thanks, Rick Thanks Rick, but i've tried this....she'll sit/stay, (albeit shivering like a jelly), but as soon as I call/release her she'll go through/towards the doorway at 100 mph then start her shreiking! She's relatively steady ordinarily but it's this 10ft of space between living room and door/car. She knows it's bad behaviour but it's as if she can't help herself, it's like she's posessed for all of 10 seconds ......as soon as she's in the car she turns into an angel! Scenario, 'Bree....sit'!, she sits...i'll walk casually to the front door and open it, she may make a slight movement forward/dip her head in which case she'll get growled at and she puts her butt back on the floor, i'll wait a little while then release/call her, at that very point she turns rabid and flies out the door and usually starts shreiking like a mad thing, i'll open boot, she jumps in and shuts up! Thankfully the Springers look at her/me cockled. If I shut the door on her or block her then return to the same spot and try again, the same thing happens..........again, and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I thought you meant she was bolting through the door before you and trying to get out of the house before you do. Ever walk her to the car on a lead at heel? Then you can control her pace to the car. Take one step at a time and if she tries to bolt, give her a sit and make her wait. She will eventually realize that she isn't getting there any faster than you do and that you set the pace. Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thanks again Rick, she bolts through the door if I let her, which is very rare or if I sit her then allow her to come/go out. If on a lead she'll sit when told, heal when told but as soon as the door is open she has a rush of adrenalin and she loses all reasoning, she will sit but she has real trouble containing herself!....it's like her life depends on getting out to the back of the car. It may sound odd and easily curable but it isn't for lack of trying I can tell you. If I do let her go out by herself, she'll run up and down the side of the car a few times then stand at the rear by the tailgate shaking and whimpering, i've left her out there for 20 minutes or more by herself and that's all she'll do, put her in the car and she calms down instantly, it's like Jekyl and Hyde. I've had her on a lead by the door for over half an hour waiting for her shaking to stop, as soon as you make the slightest movement once she's calmed the process starts all over again. I don't have any problems with her now apart from this but it's driving me potty :( , perhaps she needs a shrink? ....'tis quite bizarre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 It's like she is getting excited at the anticipation of the car ride. Have you tried getting the car ready (doors open, cage open etc.) then taking her straight outside and settled into the car. Leave her there for a few minutes without going anywhere and then bring her back in. Repeat ad nauseum. You need to break the thought pattern of going out to the car as exciting. It must be a common place activity. Just my 2p worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 It's like she is getting excited at the anticipation of the car ride. Have you tried getting the car ready (doors open, cage open etc.) then taking her straight outside and settled into the car. Leave her there for a few minutes without going anywhere and then bring her back in. Repeat ad nauseum. You need to break the thought pattern of going out to the car as exciting. It must be a common place activity. Just my 2p worth. And might be worth considerably more! I will try it and report back. I was thinking of maybe putting her in the car, driving around the block then back in to give her the impression that it might not be worth her while getting so worked up but your idea makes more sense....well to me at least, we'll see what her ladyship makes of it Appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 What about moving the car altogether, so when she gets outside nothing to get excited about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I thought you meant she was bolting through the door before you and trying to get out of the house before you do. Ever walk her to the car on a lead at heel? Then you can control her pace to the car. Take one step at a time and if she tries to bolt, give her a sit and make her wait. She will eventually realize that she isn't getting there any faster than you do and that you set the pace. Thanks Rick Have to agree...Put a lead on her before you make a move to the door,Is it possible to take her out the back door..Something different just to break the routine of her going mmmmmmmental... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 It's like she is getting excited at the anticipation of the car ride. Have you tried getting the car ready (doors open, cage open etc.) then taking her straight outside and settled into the car. Leave her there for a few minutes without going anywhere and then bring her back in. Repeat ad nauseum. You need to break the thought pattern of going out to the car as exciting. It must be a common place activity. Just my 2p worth. I agree with SB as above. Also, do you always take the dogs out in the car? Do you ever take them out and walk straight past the car for a walk around your neighbourhood? Because if she can only get "fun" via a car journey, then she will be keen to jump aboard. Just my 1p worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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