On Sat, 03 Mar 2007 03:26:10 GMT, "Don White"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
If I might offer a suggestion?

Keep a tennis ball with you. It's better if it's one that he/she
plays with a lot - like a favorite.

Use that in the play time when you toss the ball and the dog retrieves
it. Use the command "Come here" when he/she retrieves the ball and
returns.

Then when you are in the park, take the ball with you and when he gets
like this, use the ball as a lure using the "Come Here" command.

That particular trick has been one I've used for years and it's never
failed.

Another useful trick is to use the command "down". This can be done
at home every time the puppy lays down - just say the word. Then
start working on the hand and voice command for down. When he runs
off, use the command "down" and he/she will just plop on the belly
when it happens.


I had just thrown the tennis ball from my 'Chuck It' before the jerk came
rushing up behind us. Bronson had the ball in his mouth and wanted to show
it off.
My wife does do as you suggest.
She is even working on stay... but when the dog gets a chance to be lose,
all he wants to do is run.
Some people say Springers keep their 'puppy status' for 1.5 to 2 years. The
wife heads back to work on Monday for approx 3 or 4 months. Guess who gets
stuck with the dog.

Had a dog like that once - a lab/border collie mix who was really
active.

I wouldn't let her off the leash until she did exactly what I wanted.

I know the instinct is to allow puppies to run and play and yada,
yada, yada, but the truth of the matter is that until you have
complete and total control and appropriate discipline, the leash is
the best and only answer. Dogs get a undeserved reputation if they
aren't under control at all times - even as puppies.

What you do is up to you.