Am I Doing The Right Thing With My Patterdale?

Hello!

Me and my boyfriend took on a 3 year old Patterdale Terrier. It was through the friend of a friend. He is wonderful in the house, but have been having problems with him when we are walking him. We were lead to believe he was fine and didn't run off, but have had many occasions when we have lost him, only to go back to the house and find him waiting at the door.

I have recently started to try some 'positive reinforcement.'
I started out in the garden (it's not enclosed, so dogs have to be supervised anyway) by taking out two dog treats, half way through being outside, I call him back and when he comes back getting him to sit and giving him a treat. This is then repeated when we are back inside the house, as soon as the back door is shut.
I am wearing the same jacket each time and putting the treat in the same pocket, so that he knows that he will get it if he comes back to me.

Am I doing the right thing, because at the moment, I can't walk him unless he is on a lead, so he isn't getting a good run.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Sarah x

Until he has excellent recall, I would buy a retractable lead, or a long line so he can't run away. He could get stolen or injured when he's on the run

You are doing the right thing, but also treat him on walks. Cann his name, and give him a treat when he comes. Make sure you do it in a happy voice, so he knows it's a good thing. Give him a fuss (stroke) too.

I'm no way an authority on dog training but your doing exactly what we did with our rescue (and still continue doing). Loads of rewarding when she comes when called. Started in the house calling and rewarding, then in the garden, then moved on to the park but leaving a long lead trailing and just built it up.

Have you tried playing hide and seek with him? You can do it in the house to begin with and again build it up. I think it helped Maggie think more about where we were and actively look for us. It's also a really fun game to play with your dog.

Don't know if that is of any help to you, but it sounds like your on the right tracks.

Yes, you have the right idea with your training, but have missed the fundamental issue of keeping a new dog on the lead until they have been taught recall

It's quite possible he didnt run off with the last owner, but the difference is he could have already learnt recall to them as they had owned him for a long time

Each dog has to be re-trained to new owners, especially recall, as he doesn't know you well or is bonded enough with you yet, so he has no reason to come back yet.

I wouldnt use a flexi though

These are ok once dogs are trained, but are no good for training, as they can actually teach dogs to pull and run off.
This is because the dog controls the speed and momentum of the lead himself by pulling quickly to the end.

What you need is a long line, such as a horse lunge line.
Practice in your garden the first week, as you need to learn how to organise and feed the line safely and efficiently first.

Wear gloves until you have it right, to avoid rope burn.

Then practice in the park without too many distractions when it is quiet.

Send him out on the line, then call him back very enthusiastically and give him a treat when he arrives.
Then send him out again

Repeat several times
Never do this once only and then go home, as that teaches your dog coming back equals end of fun, so he wont want to come back.
For the same reason, if he doesn't come back or is slow coming back, never tell him off when he does arrive

When you've doing well, let the long line trail.
Tie knots every metre or so, so if you need to step on the line in an emergency, you feet wont get pulled out from underneath you.

In time, you can start practising recall of lead in an small enclosed are.
Then later on elsewhere.

This will probalby all take a couple of months

If you have no expereince, it is strongly advsied to enroll in a class, as dog training classes are there to train owners to train dogs.
Espceially as you have one of the toughest breeds to train.
Patterdales are quite independent and some can be willful, and they are bred to run off and hunt.
Try a reward based treat training class
Speak to your vet, or google APDT UK, CFBA, or BIPDT training organisations for trainers in your area.

Good luck

We've had him for a while now, umm, got him end of october/early november 2008, and I did loads of lead stuff with him, he went everywhere on a lead! It wasnt until well into december that we let him off the lead, in the middle of a field, where there are no distractions and where just playing with him! It all goes well, then he just runs off, and goes deaf to us calling him!!!

Living in the countryside, I don't have the added worry of lots of cars and lots of people with other dogs, just lots of sheep!

So far, so good, out in the garden, he is always coming back to me!

I've also got a friend helping me, who has been training dogs since she could walk!

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Sarah x

I would continue with his training as you are doing, but would definitely keep him on a long line or flexi when walking him away from home.

It is lambing time for many places up here in Scotland at the moment and your dog could inadvertently disturb pregnant ewes or ewes with newborn lambs when running through them. It could also end up with your dog being shot, as I am sure you are aware

Patterdales usually have a very strong prey instinct - so could your lad be off hunting when he runs off from you?

Meant to ask, whereabouts in Scotland are you? We sometimes arrange Dogsey walks and you would be more than welcome to come along

Thanks for all the advice!

Just thought I'd update on how he's getting on!

He is getting so good in the garden! I don't even have to say his name, if I so much as make a noise, then he's there sat by my feet! There have been plenty of opportunities for him to run away from the garden, as the shepards go past on their quads and he likes to chase quad bikes, but I call him and he comes back!! It's a miracle! I never thought it would be possible!!
Still having walks on a lead, but as we get almost onto the drive, I let him off the lead and he trots quite happily in front of me!

I swear that the rabbits know that I am trying to get him to stop running off though, when we walk down the road, they run out in front of him and tease him!!

Will keep you updated on our progress!!

Sarah xxx

Misty-pup

I have a Patterdale who is nearly three and he loves to run off, but have just aquired a spray collar which I can use to add some control while he is off lead.

Since I have been using it only the once or twice the difference is amazing, he stop's dead in his tracks and just comes back. Also you can see him thinking now and awaiting my command where as before he just bolted off into the distance.

His recall is getting much better and I am hardly using the spray on the collar now just the positive sound.

I am finally starting to enjoy walks.

I have also taken part in training classes just to get him socialised with other dogs.

God luck though I hope it all works out for you.