Help with rescue lurcher

[barbs 0]

Just taken on a rescue lurcher bitch about 3-4 years old and struggling somewhat with recall!

 

She'll return happily for a while but once the ears go up, she ain't listening and won't come back 'til knackered. Any help on improving her recall much welcomed - I know she's going to run and chase but a bit more control over things would make life a lot safer for her.

 

final thing - and please don't shoot me down, if she gets hold of a rabbit, how do I kill it quickly and humanely?

 

thanks

 

b

[sniper 30]

if she brings it back alive then ring its neck , but if its a rescue the she will probs kill the rabbit on her own

 

 

Sniper

[doris 6]

if she brings it back alive then ring its neck , but if its a rescue the she will probs kill the rabbit on her own

 

 

Sniper

hiold its legs in yer left hand. put yer right hand over i's head, but in front of its ears and stretch its neck. you'll feel it go. . . bingo.

 

reccall problems . . . thats probably why ist a rescue. U got soem work to do but it can be done, but I'm not the best person to tell ya. However there is a guy out there called jim Grenwood who is very very good with running dogs. I dont have his number but do search on the net

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

Re the recall: if it were me I'd start out in the garden and controlled closed in places ie tennis courts or fenced in fields. Before you let her off let her know you've got treats - I find cooked liver, roasted chicken and those disgusting tinned hot dogs :sick: work best with mine. Make her pay attention like sit before she's off lead, give her a treat and go from there. Recall her often, give a treat every time. Repeat repeat repeat repeat When she starts to ignore you, put her on lead first chance you get, give her at treat again. ALWAYS reward her for coming back, even when you're pissed off 'cause you've been shouting her for ages. Don't let her off in uncotrolled areas till you're more confident about her coming back.

 

As for rabbits, what I did was ask a local lad to show me how to neck 'em quickly so they didn't suffer. If she brings you one tell her she's marvellous, neck it and move on Don't waste the bunny tho - if you don't want it, see if anyone round you who's got dogs/ferrets wants the odd bunny off you. They probably have plenty of their own but it never hurts to ask. I hate waste - no point in slinging a bunny if there can be some use made of it.

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

Yep, Jim's da man!

 

http://jimgreenwood.co.uk/default.aspx

[bsb 0]

it shows you how to skin the rabbit here

 

 

[cúagusgiorraí 57]

``

Edited August 31, 2008 by cúagusgiorraí

[Simoman 110]

If your recalls crap then don't let the dog off the lead. I don't mean that to sound sarcastic, but by letting the dog off the lead and then calling it (the dog pays no attention) you are reinforcing the dogs behaviour of ignoring your voice.

 

I don't like shouting and usually have apup on its lead and call it name, the pup usually responds and I give it lots of fuss, if the dog is ignoring me and intent on sniffing the ground or such I will give a LIGHT check into my legs and again give it praise, soon the dog learns to listen for you and you don't have to shout.

I would work on the recall in a enclosed area, pm me if you want some more info as this will bore everyone else but I have done this for clients whose dogs are bad at a recall.

[barbs 0]

useful stuff - thanks

 

she's got some recall...knows her name, comes when called, often from distance but then something happens (usually in a hedgerow) and she's off. comes back after 5 mins or so but worrying while she's out of sight and all control goes out the window. no probs with sheep/livestock - ignores them completely.

 

we'll keep working - can't stand the thought of her spending a life on a lead and i'll check out jim's site.

[Scallywag 78]

lurchergrrrl's advice is great. I've trained a few rescue lurchers now and have gone through the steps she describes with good results. And Simoman's right too - let her get the idea that she can decide whether or not to come back to you and you're gonna have nothing but trouble!! I agree the last thing you want is a running dog forever on the lead, spending time on the basics now will pay off in the long term. I learned that the hard way

[Simoman 110]

no probs with sheep/livestock

 

 

Trouble is the farmer who sees your dog alone near a field lambs won't care and will more than likely give it a couple of barrels of number 4 shot, for the sake of yourself and the dog keep it on a lead in the countryside until your recall is 100%, "some recall" to me is no recall.

 

Good luck