Hyperactive Saluki

[Stripe 0]

Hi all, My 8 to 10 month old saluki cross Jock is still displaying some manic behaviour

I have owned him for about 4 weeks and no nothing of his breeding or previous life

His recall is about 90% there responding even mid flight to whistle and treats, the only time he wont recall is when he has something in his mouth and does not want to give it up.

Easy to get on lead as when feeding treats for recall, I fuss him and hold his collar on every recall

Clean in the house now after a few accidents

Still jumping 4 foot walls on comand (but just occasionaly due to his age and development) (not teaching him to jump wire till 100% under control and stockbroken)

Starting to respond to "Leave It" with people and other animals, just wont leave what he has in his mouth

Got him walking on loose lead most of the time

So you can see he is still coming along very well

 

The only problem left is when he is released off lead he just runs flat out all of the time and is an accident waiting to happen, just cant get him to calm down. (I know all pups need to play but this is constant with no let up) and I am lost to try and teach him how to retrive when he is in this state?

 

He is now getting two x half hour periods of free running a day (including recalls and leave it) as well as some lead work on top of that, dont want to give him more as his joints are still not developed fully. (large knuckles)

This still takes place in an enclosed 5 acre silage feild that I have the use of, so at least it is a relatively safe enviroment.

Food wise he is now on 1lb of raw beef mince and some mixer a day (as well as mixer used for training treats)

He still stands at 24" to the shoulder and now weighs 20.5Kg (put on 3 Kg mainly muscle)and is now very well muscled and in very good overall condition.

Anybody have any ideas on if I am still missing something, or what to do to reduce if not eliminate the manic behaviour or how to use it as part of the training. if I could get the retrive sorted I would be happy as I could keep him on the lead, slip him when needed and know he would come back, instead of just running about (parading) with his trophy.

Cheers

Stripe

 

Edited December 7, 2009 by Stripe

[skycat 6,173]

A well put post: but

a) you have only had the dog for 4 weeks: he might well have been shut in a shed or somewhere with no exercise at all in his previous life, these sort of dogs need to run a lot, and I mean A LOT! It's what they have evolved for over thousands of years. If the dog is not damaging himself, blowing too hard then let him run in the safe space.

 

Change his food slightly: he doesn't need beef mince (high protein) all the time: you don't say what sort of biscuit you are using, but check that it doesn't contain additives or colorants: all this man made stuff can create hyper behaviour in a dog just as in kids.

Try and get him some chicken/rabbit carcases. Breast of lamb: have a look on this site for raw feeding: loads of ideas. The most natural diet will give him all he needs nutrient-wise.

 

c)You sound as though you are getting a good bond with the dog already, but try and do some retrieve training on a long lead (2 metres at least), and use a furry dummy, hiding it in places you pass, then about turn and encourage him to find it as you go back past where it is hidden. You can even do this in the street: behind a wheelie bin for example.

 

d)Try and take the dog to as many different places as possible so that he is constantly being stimulated: just running in the same field all the time gets boring eventually!

 

Lastly, he is a teenage and is bursting with energy and testosterone LOL: expect a certain amount of hyperness especially if he has no other dogs to play with.

[Stripe 0]

Thanks Skycat

I have him out twice a day so that he can run and run and he must be covering a lot of miles in the 2 half hour sessions.

I will try him on the chicken carcases, I had him on the (high protein) mince to improve his condition and because he is still a pup, to achive his full potential. But as he is putting muscle on as opposed to growing I think you are right and that could be a main factor with his behaviour.

He is being walked over the 3 farms I have permission on around my house as well as in the local village to socialise him. Am also getting him out with my friends dogs as well. he is broken to horses and cows but will start with the sheep next week.

Now I have a reasonably good recall will take him out with my terrier pup and rotti cross.

Good idea about the long lead then he cant take off with the dummy (why didnt I think of that LOL)

Now I know where I am going it should all fall into place (hopefuly)

Thanks again Skycat for the help

Stripe

Edited December 7, 2009 by Stripe

[shannon1970 0]

again agree with skycat,high protein for dog in work,carcasses or wings would be enough as well as biscuit

no higher than 20per cent,2half hours isnt alot of time to take steam out of young growing dog,

skycat knows his marbles makes me believe hes worked in kennels,your never far off the mark with your answers