i got my toby from a local rescue centre last sat.
i have 2 kids who are very lively but very young and he has settled in very well within the family.
he doesn’t **** in the house or chew things.
he a lab cross 2 yrs old.
my problem is because ive never had a pet before i was wondering if im doing the right things or not.
how long it would be before i could take him of the lead as i really scared that he would do a runner.
he does try and escape when i open the door just to get out to take my son to a school.
my routine is
husband wakes up feed toby then takes him for a walk
kids wake
take my son to school
toby left alone for 15 minutes
walk toby when come back
then have to go pick son up toby left again
walk toby when back
then he has walk bout 6 o’clock
then his bed bout 10ish
im just wondering if im doing the right routine or not
hes not very good on the lead he hates cats and other dogs so to take him of the lead even tho he wants to play ball im scared hes not going to come back
when the kids play together he does get involved and very excited.
any advice in general surrounding routine,walks and family life
hes not aggresive at all when he meets dogs he sniffs and wants to play.i was just worried if he did not come back what do i do.
You never know when a rescue dog decides to go off at such an early stage so i think your routine is correct at the moment.If i were you i would wait at least anothere month before releasing the dog and then only where he can’t go far,say in a railinged park somewhere.
its great that hes good with children. if ur really worried get one of them realy long leads and let him wonder around try having a treat and call it to come back if he gets the hang of you calling him and he gets a treat eventully he should listen to you no problem. remember all dogs are different though. good luck =]
congratulations on getting a rescue dog. Your routine seems to be great. but do be careful as this dog might have issues. i would keep up with what your doing your doing a great job. i would get everyone to play with toby like fetch and other doggy games like that and get everyone to feed and care for the dog. that way yoby will feel the love from all the family members. i would get one of those extentable leads and put some chcicken in your pocket if toby runs far on the long lead tempt him back with chicken that way he will always come back to you. Congrats again and i wish you and toby the best of luck in the future
Congratulations on your new family member! It is excellent that he is good with your children. And yes, definitely do not allow your dog off lead until he is truly obedient. It is not worth risking his safety. First and foremost, you must establish your dog’s place in the family. He is LAST in the order of command. You & your family members are the pack leaders. Once he understands that, you can teach him anything. Are you able to see the Dog Whisperer on TV? If not, go to his website, http://www.cesarsway.com, and pick up and read at least one of his books as well. You can do Google searches and learn what “dominant” behaviors are and teach your entire family not to reward dominant behaviors. Once you understand and implement the concept of being your dog’s pack leader, you will understand how to have a happy, balanced dog who will reward you and your family over and over. P.S.: Your dog’s picture looks EXACTLY like my beloved Cleo who passed away about 3 years ago from cancer, but we had 14 wonderful years with her and last year adopted our marvelous little terrier. Dogs truly are our best friends! Good luck.
Is he aggressive to other dogs a if he is i wouldn’t let him off his lead till that has been sorted or you could end up with him attacking another dog and you could be landed in alot of trouble. I would advice going to dog trainning . They can help with his anti-socail behaviuor and help train him to come back when off hs lead.
If he is not very good ON the lead then no way is he ready to be taken off lead yet!!
You need to teach him recall and make sure he does it PERFECTLY on a long lead. Only when he knows the heel and come command and obeys them without hesitation can he be taken off lead.
If he runs away from you, you call him and he comes back. That is the way it works. If he does not know the command to come then he can’t do it.
If he is not good with cats or dogs then i would focus on having him off lead in places without these animals.
Well stick to your routines, but I would practice leashes in the back yard at first and get it under control. I walk my puppies in the back yard. just laps around the yard and address anything that stresses them and correct any wrong behaviors and then after about a month in the back yard, depending on the puppy, they can graduate to walking in the street. It is easier to correct things in the back yard because if I have to drop leashes, it isn’t a big deal and I can correct things and not have to worry about traffic or other drama. It would also be a good way to practice recall. Each of my dogs responds to different things, so you are going to have to get a leash and practice ways to get him back in the house. Call his name, whistle, clicker. my dogs and the ducks come if I burp, (it doesn’t have to make sense, just work) One of my dogs comes if I play a hallmark music card. I have a key chain that makes funny noise. One comes for a toy tied to a stick. you just have to practice and watch what he responds to and go from there.