Today, Betsy went to her pet dog class. She goes to an adolescent class, so all the other dogs are a bit older. We've managed to keep up so far, although she can't do some things as well as the others. This is a recall exercise. Two dogs are recalled side by side, but the first dog is a distraction for the second dog. The first dog does a longer recall than the second dog, and it is recalled just before, then as, then after, the first dog passes it. Betsy is the first dog - so that's the easy job. The older dog is on the outside, on a line, being distracted by Betsy. We didn't get to be the second dog today, our job was just to be the running distraction dog. Which was fine, and very good training for Betsy. 1 nov recall training by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Ooh that's a great exercise. Betsy did a great job Ella found the squeaky toy noises especially exciting, running around the lounge room trying to figure out where the toy was
Ah she's just beautiful,She seems as keen on food as Dexter! He is lying on me in a deep sleep but threw his head back when he heard the squeaky monkeys! X
Yes, I have to be careful with the monkeys - it might not be very fair on the other dog owners at this class, I think they are a big distraction!
Tonight, Betsy is going to a Ringcraft class with the breeder of Betsy and her chocolate brother, Binky! I am massively looking forwards to meeting a Chocolate version of Betsy! (Binky is the Chocolate boy that I very much wanted, but the breeder said 'no way' and kept him). I am somewhat nervous about it. Betsy is an excitable puppy, and jumps up something awful. I don't think that's going to go down too well in a Ringcraft class (whereas at Gundog training everyone is muddy anyway, and just ignores her). Drat. Should have done more about the not jumping up thing. Oh well, bit late now! No doubt I'll survive the humiliation.
So interested to hear about your ringcraft session, Julie. That set-up with the recall looks perfect. Is that in Surrey? I think I'm going to ask if I can have some of this everyday "pet" training as well in our 121s when I'm there in the winter, since I have no opportunity to proof these things here. If Betsy wants to be a distraction again, you know where we'll be How could other dogs not find her distracting, with that lovely little black button for a nose
Yes, I'm going to be very interested in the Ringcraft! It's a dog training club thing, which I've never managed to go to before - the training and a cup of tea is costing £3! It's all run by volunteers. Which is super, and I hope I'll meet interesting people too. Yes, this is surrey - the pet dog class run by a gundog trainer. It's the best pet dog class I've been too, well worth it. One of the owners there said she didn't want to work with Betsy because her dog found her too exciting! I suppose bouncy, pouncy puppies are more distracting than adult dogs. Betsy is happy to provide distraction services!
Is that a training session for showing? Looking forward to hearing about it. Any chance of some photos of choccy boy Betsy? I wonder how tall he is (maybe he's a FBB ) .
HeeHee - yes, Ringcraft is all about not jumping up on the judges and standing properly, and keeping still while people look in your mouth and trotting round while ignoring other dogs. Oh dear, I hope the pretend judges leave with their fingers intact if they look in Betsy's mouth! I don't know if I'll be able to take photos! I will if I get the chance. Yes, super interested to meet the Chocolates from the litter. Apparently, I've missed Betsy's sister who has already been to Ringcraft (sigh.... behind again....Betsy is still jumping up, and I think her sister is planning her first show! ).
But you have done so much with Betsy already and she looks like a fantastic puppy! One of my friends at training has a beautiful toller (nova scotia duck tolling retriever) the same age as Ella. She is such a sensible, well behaved show dog. I hang my head in shame .
Super fast recall! What a good idea to have a lane fenced off so that if a dog is distracted at least it can't get to the other dog. Good luck with the ring craft class.
Think I know your dog trainer, small world I could be wrong though! The recall alley looked a very good idea. Betsy looked very happy. I didn't enjoy ringcraft, went a couple of times only. The breeder of my German Pointer used to show her, but I hated showing, people seemed very catty.
OOh! Exciting! Love to know how it goes. It was wonderful to meet young Betsy at the weekend, she did so well, with so much going on. I would love to meet some of our dogs siblings, we are heading up to Cumbria to meet up with Brambles parents, and may even see her dad working!
I'm sure not everyone involved with showing is catty. I should think it's about as catty as any competitive environment. Anyway, I'll find out.
People at gundog tests are usually encouraging and supportive and want you to do well. I live near a large showground with some of the major dog shows and have been to look at the dogs and the stalls. I rememember going once and a couple of women said to the person who had won "well done, super dog, so pleased for you" the moment the other person disappeared, they proceeded to tear the handler and the dog to pieces and that is my overall impression of dog shows
I don't want to apologise on behalf of a load of people who go to dog shows who I don't know - why would I? On the other hand, the fact of the matter is that you get mean people and lovely people in all walks of life. I've met loads and loads of lovely people at Gundog training. I've also met spiteful people who have said mean things about me and my showline dogs and have been really horrid - for no reason or purpose apart from that they are mean. It's even worse when you meet these people online - you only have to look back at the early days of positive gundogs to see the 'why would you bother training a showline dog' and people posting pictures of showline dogs and saying ridiculous things to see the horrible bitchiness in black and white, knowing they were speaking to people with showline dogs. Do I then conclude that everyone who is involved in working dogs is a horrible person? Of course not. That would be a ridiculous thing to do.
Perhaps I shouldn't have generalised, ok I shouldn't have done so However, in my experience showing is more 'jealous' that gundogging. I am sorry you have had mean people writing onling about you having a showline dog. Charlie has loads of talent and isn't a typical showling dog in his attitude to working. I hope when/if you show you don't come across the meanies there as well
