Can anyone advise me as to whats going on with my English springer.
I had written a reply on here a few weeks back to a lady having trouble with her Springer pulling.
She was doing everything right so, i told her to just keep at it and in time you will see an improvement, as i had found.
My situation wasn't perfect, but def getting somewhere.
Famous last words or what! She has been a total pain in the 'arris this week, totally unwalkable almost!
She has been pulling like nothing on earth and getting so excited that she is practically just walking on her hind legs caused by the fact that i use a body harness, so when i either stop or pull her back her reaction is to go up on 2 leg's and pull. If you was watching me you would honestly think that she was a totally untrained, never been on the lead before dog!
She is infact 9 months old, so thats practically 8 months of heel training to end up like this.
Could this be at all to do with her season approaching? I always knew that i would not have her spayed untill after the first, but also thought that she would be heel trained enough that, when she has her first season, i would at least be able to get her out for an hour around streets, as being a Springer can not imagine her being confined to just the house and garden for 3 weeks!
What am i asking of you people? I don't really know, but a miracle cure would be a good place to start...
Kind Regards,
Springer owner with curious monkey like arms.

Dear Springer owner with curious monkey-like arms ,
If your breed is anything like mine, this was only to be expected.
Just before their first season, my girls always seem to forget just about all they've learnt so far. It's like going back a giant step in their behaviour. Then, after their season is over, they'll calm down for 3-4 months, due to hormones. Then, I'm sorry to have to tell you, it all starts over again until they have had their second season, and are more or less grown up.
If I were you, I wouldn't take too much notice of her behaviour right now. She hasn't forgotten how to walk when on a lead, only put that knowledge to the back of her mind for the moment
Good luck with your girl,
Karen

Thank's for your reply. Lol about my arms!
Although there is never a straight forward cure for these things, it's always reasuring to know that what you think could be going on, re- first season, is what others think too. Will persevere, onwards ever onwards!:rolleyes:

That's the spirit!! :-D
Always helps to know you're not alone. My youngest have just grown out of all that. So, now I'm planning my next one.....too smooth gets boring ;-)
Karen

Typical of a springer.  They are very bright and take 6 steps forward and then 3 back.  I am using a training harness (the one round the nose) and that seems to be working.  I have tried the chest harness, but it allows my springer to pull even more. 

I have umpteen books on springer training, and they all say the same.  The springer is quick to progress but will go backwards at certain stages of their life up to 2 yrs of age.

hi, thanks for your reply. I had used a head harness with her which i have to say worked like a dream on the pulling. I must of used it for a good 12 weeks daily. However she hated it and would stop and rub her nose on me the whole time or put her face to the floor and try and paw it off. In the end she came to hate it and when it was time for her walks she would try and hide from me rather than have the harness put on. This in its self wasn't a problem as i just figured, ah well she will get used to it one day.
It did become a problem though when off lead, never having had a problem with getting her back to have lead put on, she would not come anywhere near me. I decided her recall was more imprortant than her heel walking.
I stupidly thought, well she dosen't pull any more so hey ho, i'll go back to body harness! It has taught me that these things just mask the problem not cure it!
So i think for now, whilst she is at this totally scatty stage in her development i will order her a Dogmatic which i have heard are the most comfortable of head harness and see how it goes!!

Hi i have just bought a dogmatic for my 8 month old shepherd and it is working a treat ,I did have her on a halti but she kept rubbing her nose in my leg and it kept going in her eyes but the dogmatic is great it does not go in her eyes and i have not had to jump away when i see her face looking at my legs lol so i would give it a go