Is there such as thing as "too much training"?

[Ilona & Gina]

20 month-old Gina is the most wonderful dog I've ever had. She's my first Irish setter, and I've never had such a strong bond with any other dog (I had German Shepherds before). Gina does as she's told, and I had remarks such as "the most obedient dog I have ever seen on this beach."

 

At home when I work at the computer, she is fine, lying under my desk or by the window, sleeping or dozing. She is a happy little thing.

 

However, on our walks she needs so much mental stimlation, otherwise she feels that she's a "dog with choices". In other words, "I listen if I feel like it". Is that normal, and will she need that amount of attention all her life? (Not just 1o minutes of training a day, actually, being together with her is a life full of training).

 

I invent lots of games for her, and  I absolutely enjoy it. She is focussed, never leaves my side unless I tell her to run.

 

She stops in the middle of chasing birds when I tell her, and she really waits for me to give the next command. She walks or runs a bit, then she turns around, as if to ask, "Mummy, what's next?"

 

But if I just want to be lazy and have a walk, she will surely run up into the dunes, which is a NoNo. She comes back on recall, but she knows she shouldn't do it in the first place. So I have to engage her either in dummy training, or heel, some sort of beach agility. When we go joggin, she is perfect!

 

Speaking of housework. Gina helps me turning the vacuum cleaner on and off. She helps me hanging up clothes. I put stuff away and ask her "where does this go" and she shows me to the drawer or the bin. She is involved in my daily activities, and she seems to expand her understanding immensely. I love beiing togehter with her, after all, we share our lives, sort of.

 

However, I feel the more I do with her, the more she wants.

Dont' get me wrong, I love every minute with her, just the way she is. But there is no way I can walk in a group of people without keeping an eye on her. I know, other people I know don't give a sh...what their dogs do when they don't watch them, but I do.

 

Here are my questions: Are you able to walk with other people, or does your dog need the same amount of attention? And do I give Gina too much attention? Do you give your dogs training every single day? And do they feel like dogs with choices when you don't?

[ursula wilby]

I have competed a lot in high-level obedience with my setters.
This requires a LOT of constant work and training...and yes, like with anything else, once training is withdrawn it takes some time to adjust.

Giving them a "free"-command worked as far as walks was concerned. But even that became a "trick". Teaching them what is ok when you are free and what not. In fact thinking about it, even when they are what I would call "free" they are probably (in their eyes) working...

I am not certain I made myself clear here...:-)

[ursula wilby]

I dont actually like walking with other dog-owners...perhaps I am just anti-social :-)
But no, that is not it!

When I am walking the dogs, I may think of other things, but am very focused on what my dogs do and the way they react. When I walk with other dog-owners, I will normally not let my dogs off the lead.
We all have our own ways of keeping dogs and I may not allow what others do...
Like for intance rushing up to strangers we may meet.
In situations like that I dont want the pack-instinct to step in were my dogs get to behave in a way they would not normally.

So yes Finn, I would definatly agree with your trainer.
Even if my reasons are slightly different...
And you can NEVER carry on a pleasant conversation with a friend whilst walking AND keep a close watch on your dog at the same time.

[Ilona & Gina]

HI Fran,

Just as a matter of interest, how do you train Daisy to ignore people? Is it the same as just walking past people?
Gina would not go to anyone unless I encourage her. But can you actually train this, even though people try to make your dog come to them?

[Ossian]

No that is to do with being a trainer Fran. You develop the skill of talking while the eyes in the back of your head are watching the dogs LOL

[Ilona & Gina]

Thank you all for your reassuring answers.

Now I know that I definitely don't 'overtrain' Gina, as on the beach she is allowed all the things that are not dangerous to her (apart from running into the dunes). I hope that is freedom enough anyway. She looks like a happy setter, actually.

As to walking with other dog owners, I have to admit I am terribly unsociable. I see our walks as quality time, and I don't want to chat.

Our "free to go" command is actually "have a run", and she only goes so far, then turns around and runs back to me. And she doesn't run up to people, stays by me when we come towards people and bikes, until I say ok.

Life with Gina is wonderful. It's just, sometimes I need some reassurance. Thank you again!

[Louise Perry]

I walk with people I know quite a bit in the week as it is usually after school drop off and webump into each other. This for me has made dog ownership so enjoyable and I have made lots of new friends. They are use to me lagging behind at times(stopping and starting due to lead walk pulling) and me calling Reuben to me several times. Also I may have Reuben on and off the lead, so I can control his freedom and he doesn't just think he can do as he pleases. Luckily they understand and respect that I am training, so I feel comfotable with them . I do.
love to see Reuben enjoying time with his friends and he gets rid of his energy. He is avery sociable dog and we also do walks around the town (just me and him) and this helped him to not feel the need to say hello to every human he sees!
He is now so much better at coming back to me, even with the distraction of his dog friends and I am working hard on making sure he listens to me matter what. Obviously at his young 10 month age, this is work in progress. I always take out a long line with me in case I need to reinforce his recall issue.
I do also do a couple of walks a week just me and him as I know this is beneficial for his focus to be with me. I have been hiding behind big trees lately and he comes looking for me which is great. I still don't seem to be able to get him to play with toys on walks for me but do get a few short bursts of fetch.
As far as I am concerned I am training every minute of the day ESP with general manners ie, sit and wait at doors/roads etc and it is becoming more second nature to him.
I just want Reuben trained in basic obedience, so I have control but definitely don't want a robot. I want him to be able to enjoy being a dog and am very conscious of not trying to humanise him.
I think it is finding a happy medium with training and making sure your dog has control and is not a nuisance to others. When I feel that Reuben is a naughty boy and I have moments of despair. I find myself comparing him to my sister in laws dogs who are so untrained. The difference is so obvious and I then can recognise all my training efforts and successes in Reuben!
Yesterday my trainer took 3 of us out with our dogs for coffee in town and they all settled down whilst we chatted and ate biscuits. Then a little girl (approx 3 yes) wanted to know reubens name . So I told her and said it was okay to stroke him etc. Reuben was so good and like most setters loved the fuss. However when my trainer asked if she wanted to me the other two dogs, it was noticeable that they weren't use to strangers/children as the owners were worried and dogs a tad nervey. I was so
proud of Reuben for having such a fantastic temperament and being so sociable in a controlled manner.
Anyway sorry to rattle on