We have now had Casper 3 months, it has been challenge, but we have learnt so much from this wonderful and big hearted dog . It is amazing to watch Benson and Casper together, you'd think they have always been together. Through their interactions and play we have learned that actually Benson is the more confident dog. It does mean that some training is better just one on one, especially retrieving. Benson has got quite good, will watch for commands left, right, back, and "lost". Benson will shift into play mode and training mode quite well too. The problem is we can't really train them together, it just isn't fair on Casper, he is very eager to please but overshadowed by Benson, and I suspect there is something else going on in Caspers head... Casper needs a different approach, lots of gentle praise, quiet voice, I have to be careful with my hands, by that I mean not touch his back...but he absolutely loves it! BFcasper flying.jpg by kate_beanwood, on Flickr Showing of his lovely white teeth! BFcasper 6.jpg by kate_beanwood, on Flickr BF_casper 2.jpg by kate_beanwood, on Flickr My good side do you think? did you get my good side by kate_beanwood, on Flickr
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9307.msg133652#msg133652 date=1420110221] What lovely pics - he looks great in the frost, carrying his dummy. [/quote] Yes he carries a dummy really well, and delivers to hand. The one extraordinary fact we discovered recently, is if he retrieves from water, he doesn't shake....surely that would have to have be a trained behaviour?? I don't know...
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures- what a star he is Don't know about the not shaking thing - I think it depends on the dog. Mine has never been that bothered about shaking, and if she knows there's a treat at the end of the retrieve it's no problem to get get her to deliver before shake (actually, she quite often doesn't bother even then, just stands there dripping, waiting for the next retrieve ;D ). Mind you, we do have a seriously drilled retrieve pattern, so you never know, maybe he has an illustrious past.... ???
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper Charlie shakes - but not if he thinks there is another retrieve going. So if he thinks handing the dummy over gets him another throw, he won't shake, just stands there dripping, fixated on the ball/dummy. If he is not that excited though, he'll shake. So it's a work in progress... See whether Casper will shake on cue? So will he shake if you ask him after he has handed over? Obviously, you don't know what the cue might be, but if it's a trained behaviour you should be able to get him to shake on cue with very little effort I would have thought.
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper He is beautiful... And very jealous of you, having a dog that delivers to hand without shaking first!
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9307.msg133671#msg133671 date=1420116250] Charlie shakes - but not if he thinks there is another retrieve going. So if he thinks handing the dummy over gets him another throw, he won't shake, just stands there dripping, fixated on the ball/dummy. If he is not that excited though, he'll shake. So it's a work in progress... See whether Casper will shake on cue? So will he shake if you ask him after he has handed over? Obviously, you don't know what the cue might be, but if it's a trained behaviour you should be able to get him to shake on cue with very little effort I would have thought. [/quote] On about the 3rd retrieve, he let me have the stick I threw into the water...I said "shake" and he did....there again it may have been a coincidence, will try it again see happens..
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper As the dog shakes naturally, I say "shake" and then in no time at all they will shake on command However, youngest Lab still puts retrieve down on edge of lake
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper That's my problem - Charlie will shake on command, no probs. He will also shake whenever he feels like it.... My trainer told me to reward, reward, reward no shake - umm.....I might have to quizz her a bit more about that. ;D ;D ;D It's a bit tricky....
Re: Gundoggery fun with Casper You are doing brilliantly with both of them Kate. They are both gorgeous dogs