Chasing Bikes and Joggers ...help!

[Lesley]

Hi My nine month old Golden Retriever occasionally decides to chase a bike or jogger.She can ignore them for days on end and then will suddenly decide to chase, sometimes barking. She ignores my calling in these instances although otherwise she is very attentive. She does not chase very far, and does not jump, but as she is quite large I would definitely prefer her not to do this. On a lead she doesn't even give them a second glance, nor with a long lead trailling after her

Any advice would be appreciated...thank you

[KOPsBecks]

Is there anything in common with the bikes and joggers she does decide to chase? Instead of calling her, do you correct her sharply with a loud "NO" to draw her focus back to you and then start calling her?

There are a few different things you can try, so let me know the answers to the questions and we can take it from there.

Becks

[Lesley]

Hi Thanks for the reply

I do try shouting leave and then calling her back but doesn't work straight away ...only after she has chased a bit! I would just like this to be more reliable and to be able to stop her before she starts!

Most times when I know she has spotted something I can distract her with a toy/game but not all the time! Maybe I get in there just too late and need to be more watchful, but can't see round corners!

I'm not sure there are any common things re the ones she does chase although the last cyclist looked 'unusual' but having so said she shouldn't have chased him

So any suggestions much appreciated

Thank you!

[KOPsBecks]

Ok great you say that when you shout leave and call her back it doesnt work straight away...BUT it does work sometimes which means the message is getting through. So make a huge deal of it when she does come back, heaps of praise, cuddles and treats! Then she will realise that this is a good idea and even more fun than chasing the cyclist so she will hoepfully come back sooner and sooner!!

Keep trying!

Becks

[Lesley]

Hi Becks...thanks for the reply

Good to know we are doing the right thing so guess jsut need more persistence and encouragement!

She is now in season so will need to get back to basics big time when she is OK again but hopefully she will remember most things ....we are practising as much as possible anyway but guess still good even if on lead around bikes etc!

Thanks again!

Lesley