Hi all, does anyone know of any dog training classes in the Milton Keynes area?  Glazby, my 20 month old boxer is well trained however, I think he maybe going through that teenager rebellion stage at the moment when we are out on walks.

When we first started letting him off his lead for runs he was really good, never strayed too far away and came back when called.  We'd take a toy out with us and he was happy to play closeby.

However, over the last week he has ran away from us on 4 occassions and no amount of calling will bring him back.  He literally flies and doesn't give us a second glance!!  Its definitely selective hearing as I would say 3 out of 4 times he will come back when he's called.

He's absolutely fine with other dogs (just wants to play) but my worry is, if he runs off and bumps into another dog that isn't quite as friendly as him and they are too far away for me to get there to stop any trouble.

Does anyone have any ideas - he needs his runs off his lead but I'm worried about him running off now.

Yesterday we took him out and he did it again.  He ran off into the woods and we were calling and calling (couldn't see him through the trees!!) and luckily another woman out on her bike had seen him on the other side of the wood trying to play with some joggers.  She took his lead for us and pedalled back over and collected him for us as he was so far away!!

Do you think I should rethink where I walk him (ie find somewhere where there is less likely to be other people/dogs) or is it a training issue?

Any ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you
Hayley & Glazby!!

Hello Hayley, Ive got a 7 month old boxer and Im joining southern counties boxer club.  In the booklet they sent me had a training group in milton keynes.  I will pop home at lunch and post you their details.

Thanks Emma, that would be great!!  I think I may join up too, its probably me who needs the training as much as him!!

I need training aswell.  Im looking into a behaviourist as we have a few niggles.  Like how to stop him jumping?  He jumps so high that he nibbles my partners ears,  he is 6ft 2in and thats from standing.

We've had similar problems, no so much jumping as clambering - he likes to stand up on my partner and put a paw on eitherside of his head and then lick his face.  He doesn't stop - he licks his nose (actually in his nostrils - yuk!!), his ears and then very gently chews them.  He's so heavy that he's like a dead weight and unfortunately he's not very careful with where he puts his paws - my boyfriend has had some very painful experiences, more so than me even though he did try and chew my earing off once!!

We've now stopped it (or are getting there) by standing up and walking away whenever he tries to do it.  We gently push him down and then get up and go and do something else, ignoring him.  When he settles down we then call him over and make him sit infront of us and then give him a big fuss.  If he tries to jump up we then repeat the process and he's slowly getting his head round it!!

Ive turned my back and he has ripped two jumpers.  He see's it as a game as his little tail wags so fast.  He also make sound like chew bakker off of Star Wars.
We took him to Burnham Beeches wood yesterday.  As we were clambering up a mound onto the path I came face to face with a massive mountain dog that resembled a bear.  Turned to Bradley for some reassurance and he was hiding beind a tree with his head down. The tree he was  hiding behind was probably as thick as my leg.  Good effort Bradley.  

lol - bless him!!  Our brave boys!!  We thought that Glazby may start barking at the door if anyone knocks but its as much as he can do to lift his head and open his eyes when someone comes through the door!!  So much for a guard dog!!

One thing I love about him is when I come home from work he's so pleased to see me that I immediately get presented with his bone (or my slipper or a sock or anthing thats near to hand really!!) and then he walks up and down with it in his mouth, wagging his tail so fast that his whole bottom ends up doing a massive wiggle!!

We had workman outside putting an ornamental bridge over the river Wye. So they were quite noisey.  Where was the dog,  under the bed but he forgot his teddy so he crept out snuck down stairs picked up his teddy and went back under the bed.
He is also scared of sheep and milk bottles

Yep, sounds about right!!  Glaz is scared of carrier bags when we're out on walks, though he's the first to put his head in one at home to check there's no food in it.  He also likes to give the hoover a proper talking to.

He managed to chew my mobile phone up on Saturday.  I'd gone out for a driving lesson and so left my mobile at home.  Someone had tried to call me and he'd very kindly tried to answer it for me, unfortunately with his teeth!!  I've had to order a replacement handset!!

Just a few thoughts, but when he runs off, and the owner calls and calls - what is happening is that you are actually letting him know that you are still there! and he can run around and have fun and you will still be there when he eventually decides to come back - bless! :D

Its best to not ever call a youngster unless you are certain he will return - or else he is effectively being taught to ignore his owner - that is what he is learning in dog - thinking ;)

For instance, if he is off playing with a dog, never call until he is tired and about to come anyway. EVentually he will respond to your recall commands at any time, even when he is playing, but you have to set them up for success first as they are learning :)

If his hormones are coming into play however, it can be a difficult time as most youngsters go through a phase of not coming back - i just tend to work through it, use toys, long lines etc etc and as many tricks i can bring out of my training toolbag!

Have fun!

Lindsay

Thanks Lindsay.  I can definitely see the logic in not calling him if he is going to learn to ignore me!!  I think that I'll start back with putting him on a long line so that at least if we can't catch him we might have a chance at grabbing the line!!

As I say, my worry is that whilst he's off on his jaunts he may get into trouble if he meets a more aggressive dog and I won't be there to do anything about it. 

We completely lost sight of him yesterday and it was only because we were calling him that a group of people heard us and were able to point us in the right direction otherwise I think we'd still be in there now trying to find him!!

Just got back from lunch  the behaviourist/trainers name is Cameron Allinson   Email addy is cameron51@btopenworld.com he will possibly head you in the right direction. 

Thanks Emma, I'll contact him for details.  Typically Glazby was fine on his lunchtime walk through the woods today, stuck right by me and was happy playing with his squeaky toy even if his mum does throw like a girl (and apologies to any ladies out there who can throw, I just know that i can't)!!

Another question to anyone who might know - he seems to yawn alot, is this normal?

Sounds like Glaz and Bradley read the same manual. 

Have PM'd you ;-)

Yawning can sometimes be a calming signal.....or maybe he is tired after all his running around!!! ;)

Lindsay

hi

i have the same problem with the jumping up when louis is off the lead she runs up to people and jumps up like a kangeroo its spoiling the walks as i have to have eyes in the back of my head looking out for potential victims why do they do it?

jojo

I put it down to the fact that they want to be everyone's best friend and don't realise their strength sometimes!!

Glazby loves nothing better than going for a run with/after the joggers who run through the woods - he can't figure out that they don't actually want him there and thinks its all a great game running with them and trying to jump up at them!!