Can anybody help with this problem, I have 5 springers and take them out on a long run off lead every weekend, we go along a bridle way and through the woods for about 2 miles. the problem is when we get back its manic, they spend anything up to 2 -3 hours going mad running about and scratching.
This is driving us mad and taking away the pleasure of the walk.
Does anyone know why they do this and if it can be avoided.
Please help as I am desperate, they dont do this when they are walking on the lead.
Desperate Springer Owner

Hi guest ...I can only give sympathy I'm afraid ..my Malamute does a similar thing ..but not for as long ..he eventually calms down after about half an hour :) I have found that he does it less when he gets to run around more or if we play with him and use up the energy

Melody

Edited as Digger pointed out that the guests dogs do get to run off lead :)

The guest does say they are off lead - and if they are anything like my Springer they probably cover about 5 miles while the owner walks 2........

Are they chewing at their paws and scratching? When I lived in the country side I found my dog often did this when coming back from a walk - and eventually found out it was something sprayed on the fields :-( Luckily I now live in a town where very little is sprayed around our parks......

i think its cos they get overheated, runningaround etc, then all itchy until they cool, if itwas anything alive, theyd be itching all the time

If they are scratching their paws violently on the ground/carpet, it could be stinging nettles, one of my crossbreeds used to have a terrible reacion like this.

Kat