Hi I'm after some advice on this particular breed regarding training walking in the fields recall ect, completely different to border collie training, these fellas seem to go awol chasing things all the time. He's a young dog I'd like to keep but need helpful advice. Thanks.

Be careful off the lead.

Nasty little buggers.

Quickenthetempo wrote:Be careful off the lead.

Nasty little buggers.

He’s not nasty, I should have him on the lead would solve lots of problems, I take it you’re familiar with lurchers. So will go with with that from now on. Thanks.

Electric collar.

Not really, just going off the dogs that try and attack mine.
But they are one of only a few breed of dogs that kill. Rabbits and the like.

I've been following a group on FB, Absolute Dogs, Naughty but Nice (for NBN dog owners!) with help training our cocker spaniel pup and found it really helpful.

My parents have a lurcher (whippet/collie x bedlington), he's older now but when he was young it was a nightmare walking him as he'd be sprinting off into the distance given half a chance. Taking treats out as an incentive to stay close by was one of the only things that seemed to work, but not all the time. I think it comes with the territory with those types of dogs that they're going to be incredibly energetic during their walk as they're bred to chase things. Keeping them on the lead isn't really fair, and it's worth letting them tire themselves out as they're then more than happy to spend the rest of the day sleeping or lying on their bed. Also, I'd refute the idea they're aggressive, unless trained to be. Sure, our lurcher chased squirrels and rabbits but as we'd never instilled that killer instinct it just ran alongside them until they disappeared up a tree or down a hole. Definitely a breed you need to put the effort in with though.

SammyBoy wrote:My parents have a lurcher (whippet/collie x bedlington), he's older now but when he was young it was a nightmare walking him as he'd be sprinting off into the distance given half a chance. Taking treats out as an incentive to stay close by was one of the only things that seemed to work, but not all the time. I think it comes with the territory with those types of dogs that they're going to be incredibly energetic during their walk as they're bred to chase things. Keeping them on the lead isn't really fair, and it's worth letting them tire themselves out as they're then more than happy to spend the rest of the day sleeping or lying on their bed. Also, I'd refute the idea they're aggressive, unless trained to be. Sure, our lurcher chased squirrels and rabbits but as we'd never instilled that killer instinct it just ran alongside them until they disappeared up a tree or down a hole. Definitely a breed you need to put the effort in with though.

Thanks now I know abit more, he doesn't seem aggressive. He's a young dog so will persevere not a breed I'm familiar with to be honest, hence asking for advice. I'll only keep him on a lead when farmers livestock's about wouldn't want him to be shot worrying cattle.

Start him on a long line and work on recall first. Try a small tupperware box with treats....shake it when you want him to come back. Get him to sit then reward him. Long lines are great to train on.....

Assert yourself as pack leader, in every situation starting from home. Until he understand that your command has to be listened to- you might struggle.

The long line is good, as are treats but he will only come back or listen to your command when he decides, until he knows you are the pack leader.

Good luck

The way to train them and get them to respond is by wearing a flat cap and maybe some Barbour wellies. The dogs only listen to stereotypically dressed masters.

Dogs should always be on a lead surely?

I have a lurcher, she is very good until she sees something like a squirrel , deer or rabbit.. you cant train that out of them
She always comes back once she has had her fun though
I'd second favourite treats in a Tupperware box, shake the box at home before giving him one so he knows the sound

Foulthrow wrote:Dogs should always be on a lead surely?

Absolutely. Im sick of the amount of dogs that are allowed to run about and jump up at you. “She’s only saying hello” Well Im saying get that thing on a ******* lead you old bag.

I hope if you have kids they are on leashes all the time...I hate kids running up to me...can't stand the little biters....

Yep. Agree CD. Little bastards.

Foulthrow wrote:Dogs should always be on a lead surely?

Why should a dog always be on a lead?

Thanks everybody who has contributed with advice it's appreciated, shaking a Tupperware tub full of treats seems to be favourite, I do keep treats loose in my pocket but doesn't give off sound, it makes perfect sense as dogs are so food motivated.

I've helped train over 40 greyhounds over the years.

It depends on you want to train your dog for ?

Is it a pet or working dog ?

Rileybobs wrote:Why should a dog always be on a lead?

Although 99% of dog owners are responsible,it’s the 1% that’s the problem. And as I don’t know just from looking which is which I just prefer it if all dogs are on leads. And don’t get me started on cats that are free to roam and **** wherever.

Same as nonaynever, I used lurches for hunting for many years when I was younger.

Depending on what mix of breeds is in your dog can define how trainable it is.

Lurchers with a lot of saluki in them can be almost untrainable.

However most other breeds are very trainable as a rule.

Always remember the pack rules.

Always make the dog eat last, if you feed the dog before you eat your breakfast you elevate the dogs position in your pack.

I always used to teach my young dogs to lie down on command and enforce that with treats.

You need to be able to make the dog do that when YOU want in case you need it to be under control, due to sheep etc.

Nonayforever wrote:I've helped train over 40 greyhounds over the years.

It depends on you want to train your dog for ?

Is it a pet or working dog ?

Hi just a pet really, I'm getting there slowly with him, tonight he's been improving, i got a tub of treats & shook the tub, he seems to be cottoning on, just highly prey driven the instinct will always be there I guess.