- July, 2008 -
Question:
We have a Fox Terrier who started training a few months ago. He's doing well on his jumping and box work, but we are having trouble with him wanting to run after other dogs. We also have an Australian Cattle Dog who is wonderfully fast, but wants to herd the other dogs in practice. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this kind of behavior so the dogs can safely run?
Answer:
Pam: It seems like terriers chase less when they already have something of their own in their mouth like a ball or tug. Increase his focus by working closer to the box and sending the terrier to get his ball before releasing the other competitor. Terriers seem to pick a certain type of dog to chase – for example: only big black dogs. Check to see if there is a pattern. Terriers are highly distracted by barking dogs so perhaps team him up against a quite type. Slowly eliminate the blockers or fencing once you are sure he can complete a race.
Aaron: I would break the game down. If it has become a habit to chase, then you need to break the habit. Start by having your dog and the opposing dog do the box at the same time, then progress by adding one jump at a time over many, many training sessions. If your dog crosses, have someone catch your dog, place him back in the lane where he cut out, and have him continue where he left off. Group cheering always helps when the dog is successful. With the herding dog have him perform the game with just one dog in the room and break the game down. Move the dog to different spots in the room while the problem dog is performing.
Lee: Try adding runners racing the dog down to the box and back so that the dog's focus is changed. Start out doing this without another dog running and once you dog is comfortable with this exercise add a dog in the other lane. At first, make sure your dog has a pretty large lead and then make the lead less until you can race head to head without any chasing. You should also have some type of barriers, like baby gates, so that your dog can't self reward by chasing the other dog.
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