Can you help me with my dogs fear of bikes??

[Norm]

Rather than electric collar (god knows i wanted that for my last dogs tendancy to pull on the lead) they seem to favour a rattle bottle. Used at the right second, it always seems to work for them, then reward when the dogs 'done good'

I was looking for some details on them before my previous post, but couldn't find anything decent on line that wasn't about bloody "potty training". We considered it when we started training our current pooch but he hasn't needed anything other than voice commands yet.

 

[gbb]

I was looking for some details on them before my previous post, but couldn't find anything decent on line that wasn't about bloody "potty training". We considered it when we started training our current pooch but he hasn't needed anything other than voice commands yet.

Assuming you're talking about the rattle bottles Norm, it may be you can't find anything online about their use because they seem to make a big play on TV about NOT using this technique without supervision...i assume you can easily give the wrong messages if used at the wrong time.
They are very effective...Dog Borstal always just use a plastic bottle with pebbles in. I think its really about getting the timing 100% right...which of course is easier said than done for some people

 

[on the road]

You need to get your dog unused to chasing bikes. When a bike is approaching call him towards you in a playfull manor, it means you'll have to look out for any approaching bikes in the distance.

My dog runs after people on bikes when they're standing up on the bike and giving it some welly, but ignores them when they go past sitting down on the bike. I manage to distract her when they're standing up on the bike and it's starting to have an effect.

 

[Norm]

Assuming you're talking about the rattle bottles Norm, it may be you can't find anything online about their use because they seem to make a big play on TV about NOT using this technique without supervision...i assume you can easily give the wrong messages if used at the wrong time.
They are very effective...Dog Borstal always just use a plastic bottle with pebbles in. I think its really about getting the timing 100% right...which of course is easier said than done for some people

I've never watched any doggie TV. I have read much about it in books and discussed it with trainers, though, so wanted to see if I could find some suggestions on-line rather than pointing the OP to written material.

Google "dog bell training" and you'll get a gazillion hits (well, over 4,160,000 anyway) about "potty training" as I mentioned earlier, so it's not that big a secret.

 

[gbb]

You need to get your dog unused to chasing bikes. When a bike is approaching call him towards you in a playfull manor, it means you'll have to look out for any approaching bikes in the distance.

My dog runs after people on bikes when they're standing up on the bike and giving it some welly, but ignores them when they go past sitting down on the bike. I manage to distract her when they're standing up on the bike and it's starting to have an effect.

This echoes what they're trying to put over in the programme...distraction and reward. Same effect, different technique.

Mind, i know from other dogs i've had...theory is one thing....

 

[angel1173]

WOW... a great response and a huge thank you to all suggestions and support. 99% of you are correct in that I am trying to be a responsible dog owner and of course am open to any (and most of the) suggestions. I too get frustrated by those owners who do not take responsibilty for their dog's actions, it is up to us to instill them with the behaviour we want, in the same way we bring up our children to become respectable, polite and well-rounded adults.

As stated this is a new challenge to me having never come across this issue before. I grew up in the farming community whereby beating a dog was the norm for training, being a battered teenager myself (with more than 1 trip to hospital with inflicted injuries) I would never condone to using violence and have purposely ignored that comment!!

I assume the rattle method is similar to using the clicker? (I've not used this as I wanted something a little more instant to get used to, I believe it can take time for the owner to learn to get the timing to be instant!! that said I have considered trying if all else fails!)

All in all we had a positive result yesterday and had quite a good walk, my hubbie actually had time to accompany me so that made life alot easier. We managed to distract his attention with treats when cyclists came by and although not 100% perfect the pulling and barking was less than previous times. I have to say the weather yesterday brought the world and his wife out to Reddish Vale so there was no end of exposure for him!!

I didn't find it easy posting a request as it almost felt like I was admitting to being a failure but it has made me realise that you guys are a wealth of knowledge and support and for that I am eternally grateful. I will continue to read any further posts and will keep you informed of our progress.

Thanks again
Sam

 

[02GF74]

It's really nice that you're making such an effort to work this out! I also agree to ignore 02GF74! What was that rant about???

pretty obvoulsy I thought - a bout irresponsible owners doing nothing about dangerous dogs. if you have ever been bitten by a god or seen one of your friend;'s being bitten with blood pouring out of them or a small girl knocked off a bicycle then narrowly missed by a car , then you may be able to begin to understand. I offered a permanent solution.

Never forget a dog - or any other pet - life is NEVER more important than a human life.

 

[Arch]

pretty obvoulsy I thought - a bout irresponsible owners doing nothing about dangerous dogs. if you have ever been bitten by a god or seen one of your friend;'s being bitten with blood pouring out of them or a small girl knocked off a bicycle then narrowly missed by a car , then you may be able to begin to understand. I offered a permanent solution.

Never forget a dog - or any other pet - life is NEVER more important than a human life.

I don't know, I can think of many people I'd rate a dogs live over and above...

You've made your point. You're also pretty much ignoring the fact that the OP is really trying to sort this. Go rant at the irresponsible ones, and stop ranting in a thread that's trying to help.

I can't offer any help, Sam, too far away, and not a dog owner, so I only know a little about the theory of it all, mostly picked up from TV shows. But anyway, thank you for caring so much.

Out on the recumbent trike yesterday, I spotted a horse and rider coming towards me so, knowing that horses often spook at 'bents and flags, I pulled in to the side, stood up, and took the flag off. The rider was most grateful, and I spoke reassuringly to the horse as they passed. It rolled its eyes a bit and looked askance, but they went on without incident. (and it gave me a chance to stand up and stretch anyway!) With a bit of give and take, we can all get on.

I also found out a couple of weeks back, that on the trike my face is at exactly licking height for a border collie....

 

[gbb]

angel, it's probably too late but Dog Borstal is on now on Blighty, channel 206 on Virgin media if you get it.
Funnily enough, they're using a rattle bottle on a Weimerainer thats been uncontrollable.
Its on at 20.00 as well, another bunch of dogs, but maybe useful ?

FWIW, i applaud your efforts. As a dog owner for many years, i've had my share of bad behaviour in each in one way or another. Its not easy to solve...there's been times when ive failed but dog borstals taught me a lot. My current labrador is turning out really well behaved. Its not a cure all, but you see behaiour patterns broken down and how too solve them.

 

[Norm]

Never forget a dog - or any other pet - life is NEVER more important than a human life.

The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.

 

[angel1173]

Thanks guys

Please don't be too hard on 02GF74, he (or she, not to be presumptious!) is entitled to an opinion, no matter how extreme that may be. The whole purpose of this thread is not to start an argument, although I am flattered that so many of you are seeing it for what it is and defending my honour!!

His link has some really useful info and I think deep down he really cares to have gone and searched on my behalf, for that I am thankful, it is one website I hadn't seen before and has now been added to my long list!!

Thanks too gbb I was out walking them when you sent this and have just missed it but will try and catch the 20:00 show, not actually watched dog borstal so will add to the V+ series link.

I just wish dog owners didn't get labelled because of the irresponsible owners out there. I was mortified on those 2 instances when the dog chased and just couldn't apologise enough.

Please don't take this next comment the wrong way but tonight I had a cycle 'creep' up from behind unexpected (I was busy cleaning up poop, sorry a bit gross!! I had checked the lane before bending over!!) Anyway the dog heard it before me and pulled like mad and barking on his lead and I am now suffering with whiplash!! I don't know how you guys on here would feel about me asking for a heads up if I (or of course any dog walker) am distracted with cleaning up poop maybe a loud cough or a friendly hello?? I won't ask for you to add a bell if it interfers with your street cred LOL !! I really am not passing any judgement, just asking for a compromise, you have all been fantastic and put up with alot but just something that I have observed today and to be fair you all sound like keen cyclists with lots of experience and probably already do as I've requested but just in case you know of anyone who may not think something so simple could be a big help!! (I really hope I haven't offended anyone, sometimes what is going round in my head doesn't always come out well on the keyboard!)

By the way if you are wondering where I walk (so you can avoid me ), I often walk down around Reddish Vale with 2 liver and white springer spaniels so if you see me please let on and forgive my noisy boy as you pass!!

Thanks again all your help is appreciated.

Sam

 

[angel1173]

The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.

Me too tee hee x

 

[on the road]

You get whiplash?

I think I know what your problem is, you keep your dog on the lead all the time, when someone comes up on a bike, the dog feels threatened and there's nowhere for him to escaped to so the natural instinct is to chase the threat away.

You really need to start letting the dog off the lead so he gets use to being off the lead.

 

[angel1173]

He is off the lead and given freedom when we get to the field (cycle free). It's the walk there where we have the problems. I really can't risk injury to him or the cyclist, it doesn't matter if he's on or off the lead he will still try to chase but do understand what you mean about feeling threatened, hence where the catch 22 comes in, let him off and get abuse from cyclist (and risk of injury) or keep him on the lead and worsen the threat.

Hopefully now the warmer weather is here more people will get out on their bikes so eventually he will have no choice but to get on with it as the more we have to stop for cyclists the longer he has to wait to get his freedom.

I have been using an extending lead recently too so he has some freedom whilst being able to be restrained easily should such a situation arise.

Whiplash was just me exaggerating, I forgot to add the LOL!!! but the unexpected pull did catch me off guard and a slight crick to my shoulder (fortunately for me my arms get plenty of exercise in my job so physiotherapy is naturally occuring!!! No I'm not a masseuse, I support deaf children and use my hands and arms for sign language).

I find this all very frustrating as he gets every thing else we teach him really quickly!!

 

[longers]

If it's any help at all I can get to Stockport with bike relatively easily one weekend.

I'm not scared of dogs and don't mind riding round in circles or up and down to suit
for cake for nothing more than the wish to help make a happier dog.