Hello from South Yorkshire UK

Now I have learned to navigate the site, I can say hello.
My name is Jenny and I am lucky to be mum to Floyd, a two year old black lab. He is a handful to say the least and his nick-name is ASBO! We have somehow just passed Gundog Field Test Grade 2.

 

Ah there you are! Welcome Jenny & Floyd from Hattie 8 years and our rescue boy Charlie 5 years. Well done on passing your field test. Enjoy the forum Helen x

 

Also learned to upload a photo lol

 

@bubbles Jenny can I ask from reading your previous thread how you keep Floyd focused during your gundog classes which must be pretty distracting, but then he seems to become a different dog when you go for walks?

 

Hi and welcome from me and Juno, my 20 month old chocolate girl.

 

Welcome from me and great big Pongo in South Wales! Passing ANY sort of exam is way beyond our expectations but he is a sweet boy who thinks the world is a wonderful place. Looking forward to hearing about Floyd!

 

I was wondering that as well

 

Indeed. After reading the responses it would seem that I am much more focused at class. Don't get me wrong, he still acts up and runs around but not to the same extent. I think I need to make sure I am focused on him 100% percent and 100% of the time. Easier said than done when you are falling over in the mud It really does help to get other people's perspective. I do think I probably become lazy on a walk . I have not been looking at myself in this. I have seen the videos and read the posts. This is going to be a new start. I have a bag of toys to take out with me now and I am excited to start! My sister has Floyd's sister from a previous litter (she is a year older) she is abnormally calm and I guess I had unrealistic expectations as Nellie just plods along beside us.

 

Hi and welcome from me and nine month old Dexter

 

Hi and welcome from Fred, Annie (both black Labs) and me. I am sure you will enjoy this site.

 

Hi and welcome from me and my two dogs

 

Aha, now we can give you a proper welcome!

So, here goes...

Welcome from me, Fiona, and my two, Willow (black bitch) and Shadow (yellow dog) who just turned 19 months. We live in the mountains of Andorra, where they love running around in the snow.

A very well done on passing your exam, that's excellent. We've yet to take any grades - living where we do doesn't help with things like this - but we do enjoy doing as much gundog training as we can. Shadow went on a training shoot when we were last in the UK, last November, which was a lovely experience for him - he even picked up five pheasants, his first introduction to game, so a bit of going in at the deep end!

Do you have plans to work or compete with Floyd, or is it "just for fun"?

I think it's quite normal for dogs to be very different when in a training environment and in a work environment. My two are so switched on when they're training, either when they're one-on-one with me, or when we get to training classes (only when we're in the UK, so very rare). But they're a lot more relaxed, as am I, when out on walks, so they behave very differently. It is certainly a bit more hard work to be constantly interacting with them, thinking of what to do next etc when you're on walks, but it's also so much more rewarding than just going for a plod.
My parents' next-door-neighbour has three working labs, and the young daughter (11) came round last time we were there to meet W&S. We got talking and she said that their three were the same - focussed and sensible when working, but complete fruit loops at home

I edited your post to show the picture of Floyd inline. When you upload a picture, you'll see this box below your post. If you click either "Thumbnail" or "Full Image" next to the photo, it will put it into the post wherever your cursor is positioned. Otherwise, you just get the little link under your post.



I look forward to seeing more photos of him. He really is a handsome boy.

 

Aw Floyd is gorgeous and quite fluffy

 

Thanks, your are beautiful. I only plan to do this for "fun" I don't intend to use him as a working dog. I just wanted a hobbie we could do together. We do enjoy it. He is different when training but I will test this and see if it is my fault. I have a suspicion it might be ;-) Got to get working now but I'll be in touch.

xxx

 

Hi and welcome! It might be that you are different in training - but it could also be that you just have a dog who LOVES to work. In which case - lucky you! You may just have found the hidden key to what will keep him focussed and happy!

 

Hello and welcome from me and my four spaniels, plus a little foster Clumber girl. Many moons ago I did grades 1-3 with my two springers and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

He's beautiful!

Welcome from Me, Tatze and Twiglet xx


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He is lovely!

 

Hi, and welcome from Holly and me in Monmouth. That's a lovely picture - he looks like he's just come home after the best walk ever!

 

Floyd sure has a twinkle in his eye - looks loads of fun.
Well done passing Gundogs 2!
jac