Post photos of your dogs (Vol 3)
Discussion
carinatauk said:
Slip leads have their place, but even when my mine goes onto a slip lead she will choke herself and so I only use the slip lead when on a shoot or short walks. She usually sticks like glue to my left leg, on or off the lead, unless I tell her to play; that has taken months of training off lead.
Did any particular type of lead training work well for you? Some walks when Pippa's on the harness I'm clicking and treating but she forgets it when she's on a slip or normal lead! I'm probably expecting too much too soon TBH. carinatauk said:
One other trick, is a Kong with treats inside, such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Wobbler-Treat-Dispen...
I might get one of those, she loves the normal size Kong and I often put her feed in it but I have to fill it three or four times.Unexpected Item In Bagging Area said:
S100HP said:
Reading the above is all very interesting. I could do with some assistance with recall. Chewie is just over a year, a bedlington whippet. We are fine when out walking off the lead to a point. I can keep him to heal till I get within a meter or so of another dog and he just cant contain himself and has to say hello, but sometimes when he sees a dog further away before I've told him to heal he'll be off, at a million miles an hour. Sometimes I can get him back before he reaches the other dog, although I have have to shout quite loudly, but sometimes he just goes totally deaf till he's said hello as much as he feels acceptable.
How do I get him to return on my terms?
Our pup recalls instantly and without fail to a whistle, specifically an Acme 210.5 which is one of the most popular types. A little bit of training with it in the house, then the garden, and we had it cracked. The beauty of a whistle is that its sound is more distinctive than your voice and can be heard over great distances.How do I get him to return on my terms?
LordHaveMurci said:
Whistle training is a doddle, took a couple of days to get our 12mth old rescue spaniel recalling despite never having heard one before.
He's not perfect by any means but it's a lot easier & more effective than shouting.
Cheers. Just ordered one. My futile attempts to recall with a whistle will be preferable than my shouting, to everyone else at least.He's not perfect by any means but it's a lot easier & more effective than shouting.
S100HP said:
Cheers. Just ordered one. My futile attempts to recall with a whistle will be preferable than my shouting, to everyone else at least.
Or a clicker. Introduce them indoors to whatever you choose and give them a treat if they come to you when you make the noise. So that they learn to understand the connection. When out you might want to try a training lead first like this - https://www.jollyes.co.uk/clix-long-line-training-... to give you the control early on if you think he still might run to other dogs, increase the distance, let him wander around then whistle/click. When he responds give him a treat, just build up the routine, let the lead out longer but keep him on it if there are distractions until you are happy he will come back as soon as you whistle or click.FourWheelDrift said:
Or a clicker. Introduce them indoors to whatever you choose and give them a treat if they come to you when you make the noise. So that they learn to understand the connection. When out you might want to try a training lead first like this - https://www.jollyes.co.uk/clix-long-line-training-... to give you the control early on if you think he still might run to other dogs, increase the distance, let him wander around then whistle/click. When he responds give him a treat, just build up the routine, let the lead out longer but keep him on it if there are distractions until you are happy he will come back as soon as you whistle or click.
Or praise. I've yet to use treats to train a dog, I did say I would with the current one but gave up after a few days, why bother when praise works so well?Can't be doing with my dog hanging around me sniffing my bloody pockets either! Appreciate it works well for many people, not dissing it
LordHaveMurci said:
Or praise. I've yet to use treats to train a dog, I did say I would with the current one but gave up after a few days, why bother when praise works so well?
Can't be doing with my dog hanging around me sniffing my bloody pockets either! Appreciate it works well for many people, not dissing it
It very much depends on the dog and breed too, though. In my experience, dogs like spaniels and collies are more 'biddable' generally - sighthounds can be more 'challenging' particularly in terms of recall and are more inclined to come back for treats/food.Can't be doing with my dog hanging around me sniffing my bloody pockets either! Appreciate it works well for many people, not dissing it
moorx said:
It very much depends on the dog and breed too, though. In my experience, dogs like spaniels and collies are more 'biddable' generally - sighthounds can be more 'challenging' particularly in terms of recall and are more inclined to come back for treats/food.
Fair point, I've had lots of spaniels & we also have a Westie, my parents always had labrador/collie X's & a GSD.The most successful method of training, I have used, for recall is in the garden with treats, canned meat or even better dried sprats. It is good because you are able to teach sit, wait and stay commands at the same time as recall. I start training at 2 months. With my Cocker, she is very good from a stay command I can go over 200m before she gets twitchy and I use the recall whistle.
After I have some confidence in the dog, I will then find a field and use a long lead, 5m to begin with then 10m. Allowing the dog to go away and then calling her / him back for a treat, only when successful though. This is an intensive tedious exercise but works consistently. When this has improved then allowing them to run around still with the lead attached [awkward in a wooded environment], it means that you can stick your foot on it in an emergency. Eventually getting the dog to go around the legs and sit near your left leg [months of patience]. Some dogs are naturals, others, well see that brick wall!
As per above, puppies and young dogs don't have a tendency to go far, when they build their confidence levels that is when the training comes into it's own. Without it, you will either have a long wait, long frantic day of looking or hoping someone finds her / him and hands them in. Spaniels tend to zigzag across the front of you, keeping an eye on you. HPRs will be up to 2 miles away [hence whistle].
Using only one method for instructions is best, I have used voice / whistle successfully over time. Whistle for me has been a dog saver. I realise someone mentioned clicker but it is a close proximity device, for me not useful over distance.
Others have different methods, and no method is right. It is the one that works for you and your dog. Having had a dog pick up a scent and chasing him over fields is no fun, whilst seriously comical according to my partner. One caveat I would make, 10-15 mins is sufficient for each lesson, particularly when young. It is akin to one sitting in a quantum physics lesson, too much and you blank it out.
Hope that helps
After I have some confidence in the dog, I will then find a field and use a long lead, 5m to begin with then 10m. Allowing the dog to go away and then calling her / him back for a treat, only when successful though. This is an intensive tedious exercise but works consistently. When this has improved then allowing them to run around still with the lead attached [awkward in a wooded environment], it means that you can stick your foot on it in an emergency. Eventually getting the dog to go around the legs and sit near your left leg [months of patience]. Some dogs are naturals, others, well see that brick wall!
As per above, puppies and young dogs don't have a tendency to go far, when they build their confidence levels that is when the training comes into it's own. Without it, you will either have a long wait, long frantic day of looking or hoping someone finds her / him and hands them in. Spaniels tend to zigzag across the front of you, keeping an eye on you. HPRs will be up to 2 miles away [hence whistle].
Using only one method for instructions is best, I have used voice / whistle successfully over time. Whistle for me has been a dog saver. I realise someone mentioned clicker but it is a close proximity device, for me not useful over distance.
Others have different methods, and no method is right. It is the one that works for you and your dog. Having had a dog pick up a scent and chasing him over fields is no fun, whilst seriously comical according to my partner. One caveat I would make, 10-15 mins is sufficient for each lesson, particularly when young. It is akin to one sitting in a quantum physics lesson, too much and you blank it out.
Hope that helps
S100HP said:
Cheers all. Will give the whistle a go. He's not bad, far from it, most are impressed with his recall given hes only a year old sighthound, but I want it to be better, plus I don't want to be so common as to shout all the time.
All really good advice, I might just add no matter how experienced a trainer you are, going to Gundog (all dogs are generally welcomed) training classes will help you learn the tricks for your particular dog and gives a social aspect to the training for both dog and trainer.I'm taking one of my Cockers tonight, he loves it and we debrief in the pub. Perfect all round!
Rosie on our walk yesterday.
Nothing unusual for most dogs, but for her, it was probably (at age 3) her first 'proper' walk.
Up until now, she's been at a puppy farm, then at the rescue, where she was too scared to go for walks. Since we've had her, she's gradually worked up to walking on our land, but yesterday she went for her first walk away from home.
A big milestone for her (and us)
moorx said:
Rosie on our walk yesterday.
Nothing unusual for most dogs, but for her, it was probably (at age 3) her first 'proper' walk.
Up until now, she's been at a puppy farm, then at the rescue, where she was too scared to go for walks. Since we've had her, she's gradually worked up to walking on our land, but yesterday she went for her first walk away from home.
A big milestone for her (and us)
LordHaveMurci said:
moorx said:
Rosie on our walk yesterday.
Nothing unusual for most dogs, but for her, it was probably (at age 3) her first 'proper' walk.
Up until now, she's been at a puppy farm, then at the rescue, where she was too scared to go for walks. Since we've had her, she's gradually worked up to walking on our land, but yesterday she went for her first walk away from home.
A big milestone for her (and us)
moorx said:
Rosie on our walk yesterday.
Nothing unusual for most dogs, but for her, it was probably (at age 3) her first 'proper' walk.
Up until now, she's been at a puppy farm, then at the rescue, where she was too scared to go for walks. Since we've had her, she's gradually worked up to walking on our land, but yesterday she went for her first walk away from home.
A big milestone for her (and us)
Lots of love for spaniels on this thread.
Hoping for more photos
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