Chasing...

[Jon]

Right, this is purely out of interest as he's still coming back... BUT...

When i walk Jackson during daylight and we see a rabbit, pheasent etc... he's not bothered too much at all. The first time he say a pheasent he caught it but then dropped it unhurt as he was unsure what to do...

Now in the last week or so I've been taking him for walks at 5.30am as my father who usually takes him in the morning for me (Parents live round the corner) has put his back out...

In the low light he's flying off left right and centre chasing allsorts.. His recall is still good as he'll stop the chase and come back when called.

Is it just that as he matures (he's 9 1/2 months now) his prey drive is increasing? Do you think a long line would be wise now so that he doesn't get the option to ignore? or am i just being a bit control freak-ish...

[Fi1805]

I've heard a couple of things which might fit..

9months onwards is about the time when they change from velcro pup to bog off pup ! But if his recall is still strong then that probably isnt it...

Also, a dog owner from my area said that her lurcher who's recall is normally pretty good is hopeless in the dark/dusk. Said she once lost her for 2 HOURS after sunset when she went off after a rabbit. I think dogs are scatty in the dark!

Not much help sorry lol!

[Jon]

I think you're right.... soon as its dark he will go literally out of sight...

[Fi1805]

I don't know what can be done about it though.

I have a great word here - apparently dogs are crepuscular (are you impressed?) - which upon googling I discovered means that they are most active during dawn and dusk.

Again, not much help - just some more useless information!

[LOVEGSD]

I think if you're concerned then longline him, better to be safe than sorry and just keep up the recall training....perhaps try the whistle so that if he did run off you can use that instead of a panicky voice which might not carry if he's got too far away....x

[Jon]

Firstly.... "crepuscular" where on earth did you come across this?? have you been eating the dictionary again?

He's still the same, he comes back on recall well still, he was chasing a rabbit this morning and a called and he stopped on the spot... so proud!!

I'm also still doing the street walking thing, and he's getting so much better, not even a grumble at passing people last night.

Its not far but this is our route..

Wash Rd to Hutton Rd/A129 - Google Maps

once he's got the confidence walking through people I'll be taking him to the fields near me on sundays where they play football... lots of people there to bark at... or not (fingers crossed)

[Stuart]

I think that this is happening because the scent of the wee beasties is ten time stronger at that time in the morning,.. for a couple of reasons, there is very little else about, only the critters themselves no human scent crossing over theirs,..and at that time in the morning the air is damp and scent lingers in damp conditions, and the creatures have not long been that way, [ being up and about before us humans ].... many hunter go out very early

It will have nothing to do with the low light conditions

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I think that this is happening because the scent of the wee beasties is ten time stronger at that time in the morning,.. for a couple of reasons, there is very little else about, only the critters themselves no human scent crossing over theirs,..and at that time in the morning the air is damp and scent lingers in damp conditions, and the creatures have not long been that way, [ being up and about before us humans ].... many hunter go out very early

It will have nothing to do with the low light conditions

thanks Stuart.

Its good practise for his recall i suppose...

[Fi1805]

Originally Posted by Jon

Firstly.... "crepuscular" where on earth did you come across this?? have you been eating the dictionary again?

He's still the same, he comes back on recall well still, he was chasing a rabbit this morning and a called and he stopped on the spot... so proud!!

I'm also still doing the street walking thing, and he's getting so much better, not even a grumble at passing people last night.

Its not far but this is our route..

Wash Rd to Hutton Rd/A129 - Google Maps

once he's got the confidence walking through people I'll be taking him to the fields near me on sundays where they play football... lots of people there to bark at... or not (fingers crossed)

crepuscular I got from Dr Ian Dunbar's ebook on puppies and I decided to adopt it!

He sounds like his training is coming on really well. I've nicked your idea and am doing lots of street walking with Isla. She doesnt like hoodies, she tends to have a bit of a woof at them! Hopefully the more exposure she has the less bothered she'll be.

Good luck with the footie match!

Originally Posted by Stuart

I think that this is happening because the scent of the wee beasties is ten time stronger at that time in the morning,.. for a couple of reasons, there is very little else about, only the critters themselves no human scent crossing over theirs,..and at that time in the morning the air is damp and scent lingers in damp conditions, and the creatures have not long been that way, [ being up and about before us humans ].... many hunter go out very early

It will have nothing to do with the low light conditions

That is interesting to know - never thought about it that way before

[stillalsations2me]

Most predators almost always hunt in low light, because of dogs history as a predator their eyesight is much better at detecting small movements in low lighting, so probably another reason you see a difference