My springer spaniel won't come back when off the lead

My 19 week old springer spaniel Ruby is a delight, until we are on the field. She loves to be off lead up until now we have let her off but now she realizes what is happening and wont come back.

She doesnt run off, just bounces away and wont come back on the lead. This has made us unable to let her off unless she is off for a long time where she will tire and we can grab her collar.

Help needed. She retrieves a ball perfectly, but on the field she will drop it yards from you, then leg it !.

From Anna@Love-springer-spaniels.com

Hi there
She probably realises that being on the lead means the end of a walk and therefore fun. Try continuing a walk once you have got her on the lead, so you get her on the lead, walk a bit, then let her off, get her back on the lead... and keep repeating this so she doesn't associate the lead with the end of fun... Good Luck

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My springer spaniel won't come back when off the lead

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Mar 25, 2012
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Bird obsession and won't come back NEW
by: Andrea

My rescue dog - about 2 - has been with me for about 3/4weeks.
Though he comes back on some walks, my local park has a big pond and lots of wildfowl. He goes crazy seeing birds and though he's a loving pet in the house and orbits me, I can't get him looking at me and tuning in outside as he's distracted by anything flying. I've tried training lead with ball, cheese, making him wait and come in. His heel is just ok but again he's not improving as he's just not with me. Nothing seems to be working. With this obsession the wee dog can't learn anything. I read somewhere a dog like that needs intensive professional work. I really don't think I can offer him anything. I use the whistle with him but on birds it's a total loss. I'm getting nowhere. Help!

Nov 11, 2011
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Training advice
by: Paul @ Blacheborne Springers

Back to basics I'm afraid.
Recall at that age should be practised up to ten times a day. Do it in the garden when you know the dog will come back, and use treats like cheese or hotdogs.
DO NOT let your dog off until you have cracked it at home, and then as soon as out practice practice practice.....until it becomes almost instinct.
It may help to change your command as pup has likely learned to ignore it by now.
Dont let your dog go off and play, train it because its better in the long run.
If you get a fail run out after the dog and run it down straight away.
Also only put the command in if you know your gonna get him back to begin with. Paul.

Mar 24, 2011
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springer
by: jen

i also have the same problem my springer cullen is 12 months and as soon as i let him off the lead he runs away i tried everything treats whistle even calling him at top of my voice.. lately ive had to keep him in a secure part of the local park still enough room for him to do his springer duties and train him to stay where he is when i want to get lead on him he's doing great with it so hopefully next few months i can take him to an open field.... it really does take patience but so worth it

good luck

Mar 22, 2011
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dog not coming back
by: lynn

I agree with Anna and its also ALOT of perserverance!

do you have a long extendable lead or even a long piece of rope that you can take your dog out on? They will then feel free but if they don't come back straight away then you at least have control.

Carry treats also and make loads and loads of fuss when she does come back, over the top fuss really.

Is it always the same field you let her loose on? I just wonder as my niece has a 5yr old male ESS and he is fine on one field they go to but any other and he is gone and won't come back and the mor you go after him the more he thinks its a game and keeps running.

Have you tried a clicker or a whistle to get your dog to come back, then get rewarded with a treat? We whistle trained ours from an early age which is a: down to the fact that they are p/t gundogs but b: mainly that I don't have to scream at the top of my lungs to get them to come back.

I have also tried an old squeak from a toy.

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