danccooke Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 Hi, We have a 5 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback. He is getting very lively and starting to want more and more exercise however I am worried about over exercising him. Currently we take him out twice a day for about 40minutes. Mostly off the lead however he doesn't run about he only ever goes about 10 yards infront or behind. Unless one of us runs off through the forest then we do a few blind recalls which he loves. Coming to the whistle and shout for a big treat and affection. If I give two peeps of the whistle he comes running and when next to me one peep he sits down (and expects a treat) most of the time he is really good but getting him back when there are other people is a real issue I just can't get his attention. Name, whistle, treat waving. Once he sets his eyes on someone he wants to say hi to he is going, not running like a thing posses but all the same I can't get through to him. Any idea or am I going to have to long lead him somewhere? I guess if that is the case then I can't do that in the forest it will have to be open fields? In short..... Am I over execising him? How can I get him to recall when his attention is taken? I know he is a puppy despite his size and not to expect too much too soon but I don't want to have to put him on the lead everytime we see someone. As this then makes people think he is a devil dog when all he wants is to play. Cheers Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_0787 Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 I'd be interested in any response to this. My 9 month old lab is the same but will go hell for leather if he sees someone he wants to say hello to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Dan IMHO Am I over execising him? Yes, rule of thumb to prevent joint problems later is exercise sessions of 5 minutes per month of age, shorter if off lead (5 months = 25 minutes at a time). Especially important in larger breeds like yours where the growth plates develop quickly and for longer. How can I get him to recall when his attention is taken? Training, consistent, repetitive recall training by making whatever reward you offer him more attractive than anything else that is going on. And don't let bad habits develop. He is still very young so at the moment put him on the lead so he can't run off, if you are shouting and recalling and he is ignoring all he is learning is that ignoring you is ok; fine with a playful 5 month old pup... not so fine with a boisterous 2 year old bounding up to an elderly couple out for their Sunday stroll. Out of interest, is he purely to be an obedient pet? Hope this is of some help. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danccooke Posted April 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 25 Minutes I'd have no house left, seriously he'd go nuts and run around the house like a thing possesed and i'd worry more about him damaging himself on furniture, than damaging the furniture itself. He is mostly a good chap, you say to have something that is nicer than anything else, the nicest thing on earth to him at the moment is new people to say hello to. We've tried doggy treats, chicken, beef jerky, cooked liver he loves them all but not enough that I can get his attention when he is about to 'go investigate' he usually doesn't run to people anymore we managed to get him at least to wait, and we can then let people walk past with him in a sit position and me telling him to wait, if that person shows any interest incoming over to say hello (and he is really handsome everyone wants to say hello) then the wait command goes out the window. I have to grab his collar and sit him back down (then i look like a ****** to everyone) Currently we are letting him be a puppy and trying to make him an obedient one, but later on I would like to have him as a retriever when I am pigeon shooting if possible, but first and foremost he is a companion. In time to come when he is a little calmer hopefully he will come fishing with me sometimes too as a bit of company. He's perfectly house trained. He doesn't climb on the furniture (when we are there) he doesn't go upstairs (anymore) and he knows his bedtime procedure and never makes a fuss. All in all he is pretty cool for a young lad, and we have to keep reminding ourselves that he is only 5 months old (4 and a bit still but nearer 5) regardless of his size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Don't worry about the saying hello to strangers thing, just keep it on your terms and don't keep calling him if he is ignoring you - better to give no command than one you know will be disobeyed. He IS still very much a baby. 25 minutes exercise at a time is what is recommended by people more knowledgable than me and with a large breed I would be sticking to it for the good of your dog. Don't mean to sound holier than thou, it's just my opinion. You could do it a few times a day but the best thing to tire a dog out is mental stimulation - not running about daft. At his age I don't mean training, just focusing on you and what you are asking him to do through play will tire him quicker than racing around the park himself. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danccooke Posted April 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Thats cool, he doesn't run around that much because when he runs off i hide behind tree's he's learnt that is he isn't watching we disappear, hence he doens't like to stray too far from us. We do hide and seek, and blind recalls through the thickets from wifey to me and back again. He loves it. (all the time there is no other dogs to play with) I still feel that 25mins is a ridiculously short amount of time (i am not moaning at the advice given) but even if i mentally tire him with games in the house and training etc. He will still run around the house like a mad thing. I don't understand how it is safe for his joints to run around the house, get under feet, slide about in the conservatory than wander about a forest with me?? I know this is about his joints and I want a healthy happy dog please don't think I am being a **** I just don't understand that's all 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.