I thought I would share our first training session as it was such fun! I took Mole, now 10 months, to our local gundog training centre and had a one on one. I have worked hard at all the Forum's advice and it has really paid off but wanted some one on ones and some new ideas to practice at home. They do positive/rewards based training so it was just what I was looking for. We were in a big barn area and used a slip lead for the first time which was a revelation (I'm a novice to all of this!) much more control. We worked using hoops to practice the sit at my side rather than his sloppy sit wherever he feels like it! And it really worked, holding the treat at my chin and getting his focus which I hadn't been doing. We then worked on heeling in figure of eights - he did so well, it was more me that needed the training I think!! We finished up with getting him to sit and stay in the hoop and then me walking in a large circle around him while he stayed then returning to him and reward. Then walking around going towards him and out again about 5 times before finally coming in and rewarding. He did so well at this I was very proud and the trainer said "I'd have him"! I am going to practice all this then back for more in a couple of weeks for another session. We will then start group gundog training in October. I imagine it will be harder to have him around other dogs and distractions but I want to work on that! All in all a great session. I had no idea what to expect. Thank you for everyone's great training tips so far as it has really helped to get him to this stage. Next time into the pheasant pen as he is finding them rather exciting on walks !!! He is now fast asleep shattered!! Off to buy a hoop!! Sam and Mole
That sound like a really good and enjoyable session. How did you use the hoop to tighten up his sit? Coco is suddenly unable to do this in the training barn we use on a Saturday evening...but he can do it when I'm out walking him.
It was great thanks! We used the hoop like this: Started with me in the hoop lead in left hand, said come and put treat in hand above his nose out of the hoop then back into hoop in front of me treats under chin, said "sit" "good" then gave treat. Next step when in that sit in front of me swapped lead to right hand treat in left stepped out of hoop and treat over nose again in a semi circle keeping him on my left back into hoop then treat up to shoulder height "sit" command and "good", treat. Does that make sense?! It really worked. He said after practicing a lot I will no longer need to lure with the treat and he will understand what he is meant to do. Small steps. He caught on straight away. He also told me that my confidence is very important, confident steps, commands etc as he will understand better what he is meant to do. He said the "good" replaces the clicker as may not always have one on me and will work as well if I am consistent with the steps. Sam
He also told me to smile when I say good and treat when he is facing me in a sit in front of me as they read your body language. All very interesting! Sam
That's great for you, and well done getting him to that standard. The body language tip is well worth knowing. It's so good to have a trainer who encourages your confidence and really works with you for what you want in your dog. I have been lucky enough to find a suitable person just on my doorstep, and have been taking my puppy once a month since 9 weeks ! For me it's really important to train so she can have a good, fulfilled life.
There is nothing magic about a slip lead. It's like a choke chain, only made of rope. I doubt it's less painful. Slip leads, unless your dog acts the same without one, is just training with punishment.
Sounds like a really good session! I have worked really hard with Bramble on nice positioning, it really helps with the next exercises, just wish I had worked on this harder with benson The hoop sounds like a great training technique
I found it much lighter than the long heavy training halti lead I have been using for doing the heel work exercises and as he doesn't pull in that situation it does not choke him but is much shorter and I could work with him better in the confined spaces but I can see what you mean and I wouldn't be using it on a walk at this point as he is still likely to pull sometimes when meeting other dogs etc. I liked it for the training session though.
Yes I like using the rope sliplead, I have used virtually from the beginning, as I started out using the "Right Start" guide from the gundog trust which advocates this. Mine has stop on it so it would be difficult to choke and when they are small you can soon prevent it when they are not that strong. Luckily for her she doesn't have to do a lot on the lead - but in order to socialise we go to local town and country shows , ( where every other person has a dog). I find she walks nicely 90% of time. I look forward to hearing more about your gundog training experience.
Good job on your first training session, and look forward to hearing about your group gun dog training in October!
The right start - although generally an excellent book, which I have and love myself - was written nearly a decade ago now and none of the Gundog Trust books are completely positive. That doesn't stop them being good books with a lot of good stuff in them though. A stop on a slip lead is a very good solution. The best test of a slip lead not being punishing is that your dog walks exactly the same without it, as with it. If it doesn't, you have to ask why. I think it's very respectable for people to say 'I know a slip lead is punishing, and I choose to use it because it's a better solution than frustrating my dog through the time it takes to proof lead walking through positive only methods'. I don't agree with that myself, but it's a very respectable argument. What isn't a good argument though, is that an unlimited slip lead isn't punishing. It is.
Ah didn't make my point very well - she does indeed wear a collar when we are out and mostly walks very well and just the same. Not all the time, she's only 5 mths, but the thing about being where there are lots of other dogs on leads is that she is learning to take that in her stride and not lunge towards every one she sees. My aim is to have dog that will spend as little time as possible on a lead of any sort.
Hi. That sounds brilliant! How did you find your trainer? We've been having puppy classes since March, but now need something else and I like the idea of some gun dog training as she is a working line dog.
Hi, We found the trainer through local referral and am so lucky they are 10 mins away and train positively and have a great reputation. I follow your posts and reckon we have very similar pups!! High energy and need something to focus on! Am thinking the same as you re the gundog training, early into it at the moment (next one on Thursday) but seems to be just right so far...Moley certainly responded well to it and was so tired afterwards!! I have enjoyed practicing inbetween too. We are doing two one on ones then start some group lessons. Hope you find someone near you!
Yes, I've been following you too and think Jessie and Mole are cut from the same (bonkers) cloth! I really look forward to hearing how you get on. I've thought about asking her breeder, who is a gundog trainer, but I think he is a bit old school for me! I'm going to have a look around!
