Dec 14, 2021
More beach activity
Third major beach walk. In real time we are trying to figure out how to tame these monsters. They have become out of control since their 7th beach walk and when we catch them and hold the leash they struggle to be free and have a high pitched hunting bark. VERY loud. We are unable to stop them, it is like they get into a trance. Suggestions please. Is it better to take them to the beach 3 -4 times per day for short periods instead of one long walk? Any other advice please.
Doing good here and coming when called. But now they run so far along the beach that we can barely see them.
If they turn and look at us they will come on our signal and of course get a treat. Maybe their time at the beach needs to be limited.
We needed to add some palm fronds to the edge of our palapa to get more shade.
The sun set to the right of this shot yet you can see the colour reflected into the ocean.
To the west this is what we saw. All of the above photos were taken last Friday the 10th.
I can see us doing this if we were home.
Really Mom!!
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Contessa, there are these soft bones which are permeated with a scent that dogs like. I saw a video where the dog would bury the bone and then about an hour later (following the scent with the dog’s heightened olfactory glands) would find where she buried the bone, dig it up, and bring it to you. That would be ideal for the pups on the beach. I saw them at one of the pet stores; I think it was at Pet Smart. This game would keep their minds busy on the beach without running so far ahead of you, and yet they would still be getting their exercise. I wonder if you could do the same thing with a frozen carrot or a frozen carrot struck into the lining of one of their small toys. It can’t hurt to try!
Thank Dee. Well we certainly won’t get anything like that bone here. I will check it out. Maybe they have it on Amazon.MX. However they are so focused on running that tother can change their thinking, we have tried. It’s like their minds have been taken over. They want to go to the end of the ten mile beach.
I sure wish I could off you some suggestions but we never let ours off leash except in a fenced yard. Scooter had that hunter bark when she saw a squirrel. The twins just have so much energy and feed off of each other’s. They are so beautiful. I hope you can train them.
That is it exactly Sandie, they feed off of each other. If we get one under control she starts up again when she hears her sister.
You have done an excellent job of training the twins, but I think you need to change up the reward so they never know what they are getting each time. It makes it more interesting for them, keep them guessing. Besides food, do they like playing ball, tug rope, squeaky toys, etc?
I sent an email with additional info.
MJ
Thank you. These kids are not really toy players, unlike our other four. However they love their treats as they barely get any. Coming for a treat or whatever is not an issue, it is just getting them to stop going crazy once we leash them up again. We can’t even pick them up as they are twisting and turning to slither out of four hands and baying this horrible sound. Lots of new rules coming up.
The cage around the tree made me laugh out loud. I do think it was an excellent idea, though.
Well at least we won’t have to deal with that this winter. Our tree here in the RV is a tabletop so no danger.
They are enjoying their beach walks as they should they are puppies with lots of energy! What is easier for you 1 big walk or a couple of shorter walks. Maybe changing up the walks…not every day on the beach maybe back on the side streets on leash and end with a bit on the beach? They look like they love it!
They LOVE the beach. Whatever will we do when we get back home? Colin likes one long walk, I think a few per day is better plus I like the idea of trying one without the other on some walks.
Hi Contessa — The girls are at that age where they want control — sort of like the old statement that “the inmates are running the asylum” -lol. You need to take it back from them in a loving way. Since they are now running further and further away from you (which can be very dangerous as you know), they need to have their leashes back into your hands for the foreseeable future. It looks like they have 6ft leashes which is good…. or you can tie some rope to them to make the leashes longer. When they start screaming and demanding, stop walking and just stand still, if they pull hard to go forward, stop, then walk the other way. Or, pick them up and not let them down for a bit. You need to use forceful sounding words like “Quiet” or “shush” or whatever single-word command you use. Also tell them “stop!” when they start running and pulling. It will for sure take you and Colin to be working together and we all will be missing photos for awhile. It will also take time. I am 1 of those people who never let our dogs off-leash unless in a fenced in area…. dogs are like toddlers and tend to do as the please and get wild and overly excited with too much freedom, especially puppies. The fact that they will come to you when called is excellent, and having a high-value treat to give them would be an even better help. You might also try walking them on the leashed and then stopping every few yards (meters) and giving them a high-value treat when they are sitting or standing nicely, then proceeding a bit further and repeat. They will learn the benefit of being with you. I would also but them in a covered crate if they continue to bark/scream when brought home — a time-out crate. High-value treat=small pieces of cooked meat like chicken or beef or turkey. Good luck — these cute girls are at that age! Lynn in Buffalo NY
I really appreciate all the you wrote and we will take it to heart. We have always had our dogs off leash here in Mexico on the beach ( never anywhere else ) and they come to us via hand signal. However I think we jumped the gun, these two are still pups and have tremendous energy and will take more time to train. I will keep you posted as we go.
Contessa I’ve been thinking about the pups and I would guess part of the problem is their pack, sisterly bond which cuts you and Colin out the group when they get to fly and be free and they count on each other. I’d try more structured walks one at a time. The lack of a sister to depend and feed off might help as then you or Colin would be the anchor and support. Our daughter has three large dogs and the one that they thought was the best behaved is the instigator of the pack so she is now never off leash unless she’s wearing a shock collar.