Hello everyone
I just wanted to get some more advise on Dolly chasing bikes etc.  I know I've posted so many times asking your advise so sorry if I'm repeating myself. ok, here goes. I know they have the chase instinct in them and it is my fault for not training her properely from very young how to get her full attention whenever she see's a bike etc that was me not having enough experience, but I am really trying!

Dont get me wrong she's 80% better, and most of the time she is fully focused on me when I am throwing the ball for her etc. For example today we were over the field and the council were cutting the grass with a ride on mower, first of all she was just sitting and watching me then I'd throw the ball, she'd bring back etc. But all of a sudden she runs up to the mower barking, I call her and as soon as she goes up to it and barks she comes straight back and looks at me as if to say sorry I just couldnt help it!! :)

I always say good girl for coming back but I want to teach her so that she doesnt need to chase other things for fun she has me!

I did have some treats in my pocket and used these when she did start to chase it after about the 3rd time and for a few times after that when I said 'Dolly, whats this' she came back to me and sat.  I put her on her lead at the end and let her watch it and she wasnt interested???!! (I said sorry to the council man but he just laughed and said it was fine)

She's really excellent in every other aspect and listens to me when I ask her to do things but how can I get her out of doing this. Also why does she bark when she reaches the object???

Your help is appreciated as always!!

Jo
x

Without seeing her body language and working purely on info in your post, i would suggest she is doing it for fun. Chase orientated dogs will often run to something, bark a few times (you get to know the tone of the bark which is not aggressive nor scared - it is often a little high pitched) and then will run back to the owner.

It's good that she is much better and she seems to be the sort of dog that is teaching you loads :D

How far away was the mower out of interest, and were you training her, testing her, or just on your walk sort of thing? :)

Much depends on her motivation but if i am right and she is doing it for fun, you could teach her an excellent Leave it (built up over months on still and then moving objects). If she is responsive to your voice you may be able to use a sharpish "ah"!! or give her A Look as she is about to race off .... if you can pre-empt her in this way, and then give her a huge reward for obeying, you may get her onto the right track.

Also you need to ensure that she doesn't get the chance to repeat this sort of fun behaviour - partly because of it having a bad effect on trainnig as the more she does it the more she will want to do it, and partly as you will know because it could scare someone who may not be understanding and who may invoke the dreaded DDA.

Lindsay
X

If the chase instinct is in a Border Collie there is nothing you can do to stop it.   That said, you have to find a way to control it which suits your dog. 

On my own personal experiece, I tried very hard to distract but the insinct was too strong.  So I have had to control it so that she doesn't cause an accident or have one, the 'immediate down' was the solution.

It doesn't stop the fixation, but it does control the dog while you go and put the lead on.  Obviously this needs to be taught so she is 100% reliable before you go near any bikes etc.  Don't try and stop her in the down when she is in the chase while you are training this, or you will undo everything you have taught her if she disobeys.

When teaching this 'down' never call her from it, always go up to her calmly, no fuss, just quiet praise.  Remember this is an order NOT a request, it might save her life one day.

If your are going to training classes ask your trainer to show you how to teach it as I find it depends on the dog on which method I choose.

Good Luck
Sandra

i think if this was one of mine id just have walked up,got hold of her collar said "what do you think you are bloody doing" & pulled her away

& when got some distance just start playing with her again,if she went again,just go & get her.
you dont need to hit her or shout at her,
just firmley take hold of her collar & pull her away,so that she knows it is NOT acceptable & not fun
i wouldnt have kept calling her if she ignored me
i dont think shes been naughty just isnt sure what shes allowed to do

Doesn't sound like you have ever had a chaser Michelle :)  It is the collie eye syndrome, I have only had one which is my current one and it is a devil of a job to get through once they are fixed.

Believe me I have done the 'cross' bit, but the eye is so strong there is no getting through.  It is certainly worth a try, but if this fails I find the instant down is a the only thing that stops her.  She is still 'fixed' but at least it has stopped her in her tracks.

i wouldnt be cross,but i would be firm ;)
tara can chase with the best of them,but only does on my command
& i can stop her on 1 command,off of anything
(bloody rubbish obedience dog though! :D

LOL :D

Mine is getting better as she seems to anticipate the fact I am going to down her when she goes into chase mode.

Well they can't all be perfect, at least she is a pretty good obedience dog. :D

.....i read your novice write up.....wow!

.........gone a bit pear shaped since then, but we have all winter now to get back on track ;) 

We are going on a weekend course in December so hopefully it should give us a bit of a boost.  I am finding the thought of A a bit scary at the mo.

shes only a baby though & they DO go on & off dont worry!
flynn came 2nd in B on sat,was leading by a mile but lost a bucketfull in scent!!!!! ARRRGHHH

whose course?

Congratulations, 2nd in B is excellent. The course is John Higgins I don't know him but my trainer highly recommends him.

very motivational
hes meant to be exellent
one of the first motivational trainers  (along with jo hill) in the uk

i love going on courses,you can learn alot & a freash pair of eyes is good too!
i think if you can pick up 1 or 2 good tips off of a course then its worth it, i always learn alot by watching other peoples dogs too

Hi Sandrah :)  I like your suggestion of the immediate down ;)  I am currently working on it, as I have a 15 month afghan hound who of course loves a chase :rolleyes:  Some day's she is fabulous - I asked her for an immediate down recently as some joggers ran past her and she bloody did it, I couldn't believe it, she had loads of praise and a treat but like you say she was not released from it until I had reached her and released her myself.  Other day's she is a nutter and ignores me, its on these days we generally stay on lead!!  I do own a MasterPlus spray collar in case of emergencies - Well she is generally a well behaved sight hound but when she gets that chase on.........Of course the collar is rarely used and never mid chase but is does give me a little peace of mind on madness day's :D
Sarah
PS We continue to work on the immediate down and chase recalls in classes a few times a week and at home :)

its soooo important,it can save your dogs life!!!

Well done Rozzer, as Michelle said it really can be a life saver.  I think it is the most important exercise you can teach your dog.

In absolute agreement with you both
Sarah :)