marymrumfelt
Forums Enthusiast
I've posted a few times on here before about my rambunctious half sheltie daughter, Lily. I posted about her pulling on the leash and that has pretty much been corrected and our walks our more peaceful in the respect. However, as she's gotten old (12 months now!) she has developed more of a hunting personality! When we go on walks she spends 99% of the time with her nose in the ground and if she sees a bird, butterfly, squirrel, or any little creature run across the road she becomes a different animal. She lunges and pulls and snarls and then once it's out of sight, she can't get it off her mind. She has a really big issue with letting things go. She is getting better about reacting to other dogs on the walks. She can focus on me most of the time and when she hears them barking she's getting better at not responding. Now we have this issue, though. She has spaniel in her so I'm guessing that's where this is coming from? Does anyone know what these types of dogs like doing so I can get her energy out in a constructive way verses just frustrating her by seeing animals all around and being held back on a leash. We have a huge yard that she herds her brother around in and she does get exercise, but I'm just curious if anyone knows how to go about working with a dog who has a drive that's not only herding but hunting too! Theo, her brother, could care less about any of this nonsense his sister calls hunting. He watches it cross the street if it catches his attention and then it leaves his mind. But with Lily, it's on her mind sometimes 10-15 minutes later!
