any dog trainers?

[manilaseagull]

Now there is nothing worth doing tonight any dog trainers here?

I have a springer that has started snapping at some other dogs, it seems very random and it cant be predicted...

its been happening a few weeks now, I have tried to stop it but with no success.

Any ideas ( serious ones please)

 

[Stat Brother]

It might just be a 'billy big bollox' situation, where your dog is getting to big for his boots.
Therefore, and I know some of this sounds rubbish, cos it did to me, but this is what you need to do.

Dogs are pack animals, and need to be treated as the lowest of the low.

- Feed after you have eaten.
- No treats, titbits from the table.
- Not on any chairs, laps, beds etc.
- Through doors last (honest)
- Praise and reward good behaviour
(If you've been chasing/calling him for 1/2 an hour, he still needs praise when he does come back, not the bollocking he deserves)
- Walk on lead next to you, never in front.

Once you get into thinking as 'pack leader', it will come naturally.

 

[black & white seagull]

The technique is called 'Nothing in life is free' - there's a good explanation of it here:

Nothing in Life is Free

Also, is your dog castrated? If he isn't, book him in to get them whipped off. He doesn't need them and it might help with the behaviour.

 

[Return of the Rev]

It might just be a 'billy big bollox' situation, where your dog is getting to big for his boots.
Therefore, and I know some of this sounds rubbish, cos it did to me, but this is what you need to do.

Dogs are pack animals, and need to be treated as the lowest of the low.

- Feed after you have eaten.
- No treats, titbits from the table.
- Not on any chairs, laps, beds etc.
- Through doors last (honest)
- Praise and reward good behaviour
(If you've been chasing/calling him for 1/2 an hour, he still needs praise when he does come back, not the bollocking he deserves)
- Walk on lead next to you, never in front.

Once you get into thinking as 'pack leader', it will come naturally.

bloody hell! it does work thats how i get treated at home and its ages since i savaged a dog! sounds like good pratice still might be other reasons for his conduct,springers need alot to do if kept busy he intrest in other dogs should be minimal.

 

[Gus Poyet's inner FLAIR]

Great advice there from Stat Brother. It is VITAL that a dog knows it's place.
The 'Nothing in Life is Free' stuff looks good too.
Personally I think you should consider taking him along to some training classes.
I know that people who have owned dogs previously often scoff about training classes, but they really are a boon.

Oh and because it's Friday...

 

[Return of the Rev]

Great advice there from Stat Brother. It is VITAL that a dog knows it's place.
The 'Nothing in Life is Free' stuff looks good too.
Personally I think you should consider taking him along to some training classes.
I know that people who have owned dogs previously often scoff about training classes, but they really are a boon.

Oh and because it's Friday...

found dog training classes very stressful and little reward,paid for a home visit from a dog trainer which was far more constructive.

 

[Gus Poyet's inner FLAIR]

found dog training classes very stressful and little reward,paid for a home visit from a dog trainer which was far more constructive.

Yep, a visiting dog trainer can be just the ticket. I just thought that it sounds like the dog could do with some canine interaction which he'll get in spades by going to a few classes.

 

[manilaseagull]

HI

Has no balls they were chopped a few months ago, most of the things that stat suggests are done already, although he is rarely on a lead as straight out the back are some fields where he is exercised, Training classes were attended while he was younger.

He was chased by a large friendly Alsatian today.....and he run like a wimp, although the Alsatian was just friendly and wanted to play..

I adopted the springer from my daughter who treated him like a baby, ie carried to bed!!!!!! allowed on the couch etc etc... might just take a while to "bring " it out of him.

Thanks guys

 

[Stat Brother]

No might about it, it will take an age, would you want to give it up, being carried to bed!.

It does sound like he's reacting to the new regime, (although obviously might be complete different).
Keep at it.
I forgot to mention 'sit' prior to many commands, as said in the link.
That' a very important starting block to build on.

 

[Stat Brother]

Oh I meant to say.
We have a lab and retriever, both boys, both very much the dominate dogs from their respective litters.

There's no way they should get on with each other let alone the arrival of children, but they are 2 of the dopiest dogs ever.
Ones a therapy dog, the others less intelligent!, but they both know their place.

 

[manilaseagull]

Oh I meant to say.
We have a lab and retriever, both boys, both very much the dominate dogs from their respective litters.

There's no way they should get on with each other let alone the arrival of children, but they are 2 of the dopiest dogs ever.
Ones a therapy dog, the others less intelligent!, but they both know their place.

Stat thanks

he used to have his own couch to sleep on. Now he has been relegated back to a dog bed, we have made it comfortable with a doggy quilt and when we are watching TV he is made to sit in the bed, which he now does...he is not getting spoiled (as much) and he will soon be a dog again..

 

[Stat Brother]

...

Oh I meant to say.
We have a lab and retriever, both boys, both very much the dominate dogs from their respective litters.

There's no way they should get on with each other let alone the arrival of children, but they are 2 of the dopiest dogs ever.
Ones a therapy dog, the others less intelligent!, but they both know their place.

 

[Return of the Rev]

Yep, a visiting dog trainer can be just the ticket. I just thought that it sounds like the dog could do with some canine interaction which he'll get in spades by going to a few classes.

Trouble with dog training classes is most of the dogs are out of control better to interact with trained dogs.Keep your dog on a lead while training reward each good interaction with dogs,also diet if very important for dogs. GOOD LUCK

 

[manilaseagull]

,also diet if very important for dogs. GOOD LUCK

Can you expand a bit please...

 

[mona]

Obedience classes - providing they are run well - are very good for socialising dogs. I'd recommend them.
You should be able to sort him out as springer spaniels are usually good natured dogs. Some dogs are aggressive when they are scared by bigger dogs.

 

[jevs]

Good advice so far. We have a male Springer who can really push it at times. I was told a few years ago by someone that shoots a lot that male springers in particular are very "headstrong" and will often play mind games with you....and he was spot on.

My springer went through the same recently when he started having a pop at other dogs. The problem was, he didn't mind the initial "sniff" but then please leave me alone. If the other dog continued to hastle my dog, he'd have a go back but he meant it. Luckily, after a few trips where very few people take their dogs (along the flood planes in Lewes) he calmed down a bit.

Good luck with your dog, they're a superb breed.