adam f Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 The basic trading of my 4 month cocker is going great.... Too great in fact, hardly a slip up and it's all sinking in hopefully leading up to a solid foundation for later this summer. My first real issue was today. As I've been doing most of the basic stuff with just me and her in a farm field I wanted to start to socialise her a but so I've been going to the local dog walk with her to get her used to all sorts of other hounds. I started with her on the lead for the first few trips and all was fine then started to selectively let her off to greet new dogs again all good until today when met a border terrier face to face. No barking or attacking she just took one look decided she didn't like him and turned tail yelping and ran back towards the car. I stayed calm (ish!) and steadily walked back to her, after about 500 yds I stopped her on the whistle and managed to call her in. I didnt tell her office just popped her on the lead and carried on. Did I do the right thing? What should I do in future to avoid this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Sorry for the spelling errors, predictive text on my phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 To be honest at 4 months old I wouldn't be in a hurry to do anything! Keep her on the lead and introduce gradually, that way if she doesn't like something, depending on the situation you can walk away or praise and reassure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 To be honest at 4 months old I wouldn't be in a hurry to do anything! Keep her on the lead and introduce gradually, that way if she doesn't like something, depending on the situation you can walk away or praise and reassure. Totally agree Don't take much to spook a young pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Thanks lads. I've been keeping her training light so no worry there, but back to on the lead I think when in company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 My Springer is approaching 3 years off age and she still doesn't like socialising with strange dogs. She works away with the other dogs on our shoot but she cowers away from strange dogs if I have her out a walk. It doesn't bother me as long as she does her job in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 let her make a few friends on the dog walk and once you know which ones she gets along with you can allow them some off lead play together. then pop lead back on and move along the walk, you might get 2 or 3 times that she can have a play and practice recalling in from distractions for a fuss and cuddle before release again. she can then build up her confidence and learn the canine social skills she will need as she matures. jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Ah, the Border taught it manners! there is much non verbal comunication in dogs via body posture etc. My own pup got a telling the other day for approaching with an errect head and tail. As long as you dont show consern and the pup dont take a beating all will come good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.