Some help with my Lurcher

[Mikaakim 0]

Ok so i grew up with lurchers...

 

I now have one of my own. with my wife. (she got him for me as i came to Canada from the UK and missed having a companion.)

 

ANYHOW

 

Azreal is unlike any of the Lurchers I have had... he is a REAL handful!

 

His mother was a Greyhound (pedigree)

His Dad was a Irish wolfhound (Pedigree)

 

So here is the thing.

 

I tried to train him on my own - I failed, i got him to sit and stay for a few seconds but that was it, he is so stubborn it is intolerable.

 

So for his 2 year b'day we got him into Lvl 1 obedience class which is all on lead! and at class, his lurcher working dog side showed, after the first 2 hour lesson he picked up heel instantly and has never faulted on it yet. We are now 6 weeks into it and he is doing Excellent.

 

However this is all on lead!

 

When he is off leash at home in the yard he become stubborn and pretends he doesn't hear a damn word i say. We just got new neighbors...Literally... they moved in yesterday, with 2 little dogs, and he went berserk by the fence...not barking, he doesn't bark, just running up and down the fence and trying to get over the fence! I had to drag him in by his scruff!!! I was close to dyeing of embarrassment

 

Now my question is this, he has always had a problem with small dogs...he doesn't attack them, just bully's them, and sometimes he worries me that he might!

 

When we complete on leash training, do you think due to his breed he will pick up off leash training just as well? because when he gets his headlights on he will not listen to me, and i mean he just blocks me out like i don't even exist!

 

Also - this may be a stupid question!! BUT seeing he is a working dog breed...(please don't laugh) Can he tell the difference between a small dog, and a rabbit in which he instinctively wants to chase and bring home for dinner???

 

 

Thanks!!

 

Richard

[HAPPY HUNTER 0]

GOOD LUCK WITH THE HARD WOORK

[bullmastiff 615]

I think the person in the perfect position to give you advise is the dog trainer?

Will the classes be moving to 'off the leash' work in the future?

Put it simply your dog does know that their dogs next door. Even if they are small and furry they will still smell like dogs.

[Guest chook]

he is so stubborn it is intolerable.

 

Thats the breed for you,

i have a pure deerhound shes 15 months now and everything you are going through, is simler to what i am going through,

if she dont want to do something then she point blank wont,

i do have to be verry strict with her and at times i do have to get tough - in herself she is verry bright and does pick up things

with in minuites, but then she acts like shes dumb at other times,

with sit and stay, ive not even attempted as i know for a fact she will never do it,

 

they dont mature brains wise till there at least 3 years old,

so still plenty of time, the small dog thing could just be play,

if hes an only dog it could be he needs some play time and scocalisation with other dogs out and about,

to get rid of the energy and frustrations, if hes charging at the dogs at the fence,

try spraying him with a hosepipe if you have one.

[countryman5 5]

Ok so i grew up with lurchers...

 

I now have one of my own. with my wife. (she got him for me as i came to Canada from the UK and missed having a companion.)

 

ANYHOW

 

Azreal is unlike any of the Lurchers I have had... he is a REAL handful!

 

His mother was a Greyhound (pedigree)

His Dad was a Irish wolfhound (Pedigree)

 

So here is the thing.

 

I tried to train him on my own - I failed, i got him to sit and stay for a few seconds but that was it, he is so stubborn it is intolerable.

 

So for his 2 year b'day we got him into Lvl 1 obedience class which is all on lead! and at class, his lurcher working dog side showed, after the first 2 hour lesson he picked up heel instantly and has never faulted on it yet. We are now 6 weeks into it and he is doing Excellent.

 

However this is all on lead!

 

When he is off leash at home in the yard he become stubborn and pretends he doesn't hear a damn word i say. We just got new neighbors...Literally... they moved in yesterday, with 2 little dogs, and he went berserk by the fence...not barking, he doesn't bark, just running up and down the fence and trying to get over the fence! I had to drag him in by his scruff!!! I was close to dyeing of embarrassment

 

Now my question is this, he has always had a problem with small dogs...he doesn't attack them, just bully's them, and sometimes he worries me that he might!

 

When we complete on leash training, do you think due to his breed he will pick up off leash training just as well? because when he gets his headlights on he will not listen to me, and i mean he just blocks me out like i don't even exist!

 

Also - this may be a stupid question!! BUT seeing he is a working dog breed...(please don't laugh) Can he tell the difference between a small dog, and a rabbit in which he instinctively wants to chase and bring home for dinner???

 

 

Thanks!!

 

Richard

keep it up a large dog like that will still be very immature at 2,dont give in mate make it a challenge to yourself to sort him out nothing in life is easy,just think of all the years ahead when youve got him being obedient be firm but fair,good luck