r/springerspaniel • u/[deleted] • 14h ago
10 month old, who I adopted three months ago, bolted on me tonight
[deleted]
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u/Affectionate-Leg-260 14h ago
They are good off leash dogs. Training is necessary, they really want to please.
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u/limonade11 13h ago
When they know they CAN be off leash, then they are better when ON leash. My pups are mostly off leash when I can do it, but in town or other situations I can recall them and put their leashes on.
Dogs who are never allowed out or off leash do run, because they never have that opportunity. Give them the opportunity and then they are cool either way. It's a relationship, with natural give and take.
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u/WhateverNevermind00 14h ago
You have a springer.
We once left our front door open and our springer just went for a stroll. Walked around, smelled some bushes. By the time we discovered she was a few doors down and decided her time was up so she came back home. 😂
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u/Noreallyjusteatit 13h ago
I hunt mine and the first thing taught with a 20’ lead is that is their distance, the second that goes hand in hand when that lead comes off is instant recall. Work for 4 months on that and you both will be happier.
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u/Responsible_Lake_804 11h ago
I traumatized my spaniel early on, I took her for a walk in an area with high grass when she was still extremely young. When her back was turned I dove into the grass and she immediately panicked trying to find me. When she did, she got a treat. Sounds cruel but she’s 6 now and when she’s off leash on trails or in parks, people are amazed at how well she listens and stays by me.
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u/Guilty_Impression_47 9h ago
Mine did it to me this morning. We've been practicing recall and off leash for short periods. This morning she was doing SO well, stayed right by me.. then she saw a bird and bolted thorugh some wetlands so I couldnt follow. I ended up running the other way and she eventually followed. I dont think I'm ever going to get a solid, fool proof recall from her. Shes gets too distracted if something flys by her
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u/mdubs8 8h ago
We used a long lead to practice off leash behavior. The trick is making returning to you the BEST thing ever. Lots of excitement and treats and praise. It’s much easier to do that in a controlled setting and not when you’re stressed that they won’t come back 🤣 my 16 month old was doing really good off leash, but recently we’ve had some regression so it’s back to the long lead until further notice.
Using the long lead also trains them to follow you around the yard. Ours is 30 feet long and I just tie it to my waist. So he has freedom to do whatever he wants as long as he’s within a 30 ft radius of me. I notice he sticks within that orbit (for the most part) when he’s truly off leash.
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u/highlandharris 8h ago
Get a long line, and don't let her off lead till she has a rock solid recall, whistle train recall with alot of fun, celebrating and reward so she knows coming back to you is more fun than running away
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u/Holiday_Watch004 7h ago
Mine used to do the same thing, any time I let him off leash he’d take off running. Questionable if he’d come back so I had to chase him down. After close to 6 months he finally started coming back on his own. Now (3 years later, he’s 4) he won’t bolt out doors or run away from me anymore, but if one of my family members lets him outside without a leash, he’ll take himself for a nice 2-3 minute run and then come back.
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u/Eastern-Try-6207 3h ago
These dogs can be the best dogs at coming back to you if you condition this properly and they are oriented to you from the beginning. They are entirely handler sensitive. Yes, they want to spring, and they will spring, but you must control the energy, stopping and calling them in to you every now and again, making them heel for a few paces. Throwing retrieves after the stop whistle is a good exercise too, as it teaches them to listen out for the fun things you might be providing on the walk. And you find eventually, even if they catch the odd flush of birds, they will not run after it and will hunt more purposefully in general, they won't be distracted by everything that moves. I think I used a longline for a good period of time and then tested it. She went through a phase somewhere just after two years old of getting a bit bold and hunting a bit far away, so I put the long line back on for a few weeks and were back in business. She's amazing now. it does take consistency, but they reward you immensely when yours is the only dog in the area who is listening to his handler!
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u/Link_lunk 14h ago
Mine grew up without a fence and often strayed from our yard but he always came back.
My biggest recommendation is to celebrate your dog when you catch them or they come back. If you correct them or get angry they will make sure to not come back or let you catch them again.
If you want to give your dog more freedom, use a long line on them so they have more distance but are still attached to you.
You really dont get full compliance from your dog until they are matured. A year and a half is when a lot of dogs listen because you asked them to if you properly trained them