Ive Recently Adopted A Lurcher Puppy... Need Any Advice Yr Willing To Share ?

[joey72 10]

sounds like shes landed on her feet getting a good home like yours got to agree with morton and like you said if shes infested with worms then that so called care home needs educating on welfare has that pup looks lean in those pics but good on you for taking the pup on and im sure she will be well looked after

I don't like to blow my own trumpet, but she definitely has landed on her feet with me..... She was a lot leaner when I got her, all legs and no body weight.... She's going to take some building up, slow and steady is the best... Her coat lacks luster at the moment, probably due to poor nutrition, fleas and worms... I want to do the best I can for her, that's why I posted on here today, I want as much advice as possible regarding the breed/type of dog.... I've dealt with two Jack Russell's, a lurcher shoudnt prove too challenging for me (famous last words eh!). She's obedient for her age, thats always a good sign

[dodger 2,765]

Fair play to you ; )

[joey72 10]

I plan to do regular updates on her progress over the next 12mths.... I have no doubt I'm going to need more advice as she matures.....I walk the mountains regularly, so it'll be interesting to see how much prey drive she has......hmm..

 

 

Any advice regarding recall training?? Anyone?

Edited August 24, 2014 by joey72

[beast 1,884]

i dont think that will make an overly big dog, maybe 22-23". as joe says, work on her recall even if you do no other training, tug toys are good for this. and if you havent had running dogs before, be aware that when they decide to chase another animal they wont be called off, so livestock breaking is a MUST. well done for taking the pup, looks like a bright little thing!

[joey72 10]

She's Sat on my lap as I attempt to type...... she's a cracker, and I'm sure she's going to make a fab adult.... My only hope is I get her to recall, I've heard so many stories of them running off..... We walk the mountains with our Jack russels most days so hopefully we can get her used to the livestock that roam freely........ I don't intend to let her off until I'm happy she will recall..... so far she's very obedient.... But she's yet to fully find her feet.......

[darbo 4,776]

With recall develop a bond with the dog practise in the garden give a treat the only time i use them. Buy a checkcord the type gundog trainers use about 30 ft in length. Take it to places with no distractions let her wander around letting the cord out and gathering it in when needed. Give your command whistle or voice if she does not respond a few gentle jerks will set her on her way back gather up the slack on the cord as you walk or jog backwards plenty praise and give a treat the treats can be phased out. Just do a couple of recalls when out on your own with the dog.You are in control using a check cord not the other way round. When you are happy with progress take her to a enclosed area maybe a tennis court or enclosed football pitch etc.Let her off the lead to play about then give your recall command. When you are happy with this try her outside on walks without the cord. Dont do too many recalls out on a walk take your time and be patient. i always trained the lurcher pups this way not everyone would agree but my dogs had a great recall just a method that worked for me.Good luck with your pup.

[beast 1,884]

get her loose off the lead while shes still little enough to be unsure of the big wide world, so she is looking to you for reassurance. this will teach a dog to just be aware of where you are and and from a young age it becomes accustomed to the idea that you are leading the walk, not the dog. when she looks at you, crouch down and make excited "come here" noises. if you have obedient older dogs then this will become easier. there are lots of ways to teach recall, all have pros and cons. darbos method works just fine, personally i use a long line once they know the command, if i find it needs a little reinforcement.

[joey72 10]

Thanks guys.... Really appreciate yr time and advice..... I can't afford to get this wrong.....

[Fennster16 29]

Training lead, some smelly titbits and maybe a squeeky ball, nice high voice make it exciting when she returns to you. Same as any dog really. Skycat put up a great post on how to condition your dog as it grows have a read of that :-)

[joey72 10]

Training lead, some smelly titbits and maybe a squeeky ball, nice high voice make it exciting when she returns to you. Same as any dog really. Skycat put up a great post on how to condition your dog as it grows have a read of that :-)

Cheers for that..... I'll try to find the post and have a read of it....

[joey72 10]

One week on and summer is looking much better...... Still a long way to go to get her to tip top condition, but we are going in the right direction ??

[joey72 10]

[Foxi_Roxi 21]

She's a lovely little pup. good luck with her. My lurcher is 26" TTS so quite a big girl! I reckon looking at your girl maybe she will reach about 24" but like people have said with her bad start, and the rate at how quick shes growing you never know!

Cant add much more than what other people have said. get her on a good diet (i feed mine raw) and plenty of socialisation. My girl comes everywhere with me more or less if she can, she's very laid back and well behaved (for the most part!!)

Be aware that they can become food theifs and like to get their paws on anything! I'm lucky mine has never counter surfed and stolen, but I know many people who's pups have!!

as for recall training start now. Have her off while she's small and she's more likely to follow. Make everything fun for her and make sure she realises coming back is a good thing. Try not to get angry with her if she does wander off, but comes back eventually, as this will only put her off coming back to you again in the future!

Good luck with her, look forward to your updates!

[joey72 10]

Not sure how much longer she will be able to snuggle with her house mates....... Bless them

Edited August 28, 2014 by joey72

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Well its definatly a dog

Wow. Good work. Really helped the guy out.

 

You really are a fountain of knowledge Kev.