yes! Last night we went! Checked the bag with what was told to bring: 2 one pound dummy, whistle, treats, something to play with, towel. We met the others, 1 springer, 1 lab, 1 viszla, 1 Weimaraner, 3 Golden retrievers. We met in a field and the trainer started explaining what we are going to do. First he wanted to see what the dogs were capable of. So one by one we did some attention game. Then walk on foot, leash attached and see if you can hold his attention. Finn did okay, I had to learn not to have his treat before his nose, but give him so now and then. Then leave Finn at a certain spot and leave him there, nicely sitting, then called him back to me in one straight line. Went very well, Finn running towards me after sitting for a couple of minutes all by himself surrounded by other dogs, very proud of him! Gunshot during play, to see if they were frightened. First Finn didn’t notice, second he looked up and third time he barked.... We had a fun evening, certainly not disappointed (opposite). We were very tired, but what a fun working!!
Yesterday we went for the third time. We practiced the whistle at home and on training. Finn did really well considering I never used a whistle before. I have to keep in mind I have the attention of Finn when practicing. We did some attention games, we walked on foot with and without leash. All went well. We practiced walking with a dummy for the very first time. He had to give it back to me in a nice way, that will be homework for the coming week! The trainer wanted to see if Finn wanted to go for a swim towards me. So she hide away with Finn and I walked to the other side of a water. She came up with Finn and I had to call him. First he hesitated. Went into the water and swam back to the trainer. After I called and showed him some nice things he decided to go for it!
That's awesome. I am now on top of basics and literally, as we speak sorting out first Gundog training session. Can't wait. I haven't been able to get him in the water yet, although he did run in the sea last weekend up to his belly, which is the deepest yet. Tried to spur him on by throwing ball a bit further out - but just ended up with me being wet fetching it, rather than him.
@GaryC Hi Gary, I'm also in Fife and just wondering where you are doing your gundog training - Ripple rather disgraced himself with my trainer by eating his (dead) pheasant and he isn't keen on having him back. I was wondering whether a new trainer might be the way to go.
We went to another area. We practiced steadiness. We also practiced for the first time lost apport. It was the very first time so Finn didn’t know what was to be expected from him. At first he didn’t want to go over the ditch. The trainer coached him. He found it and brought the dummy back to me. The trainer was very satisfied considering the first time for Finn. We also retrieved the dummy out of the water. This went very well, but Finn was so focused on the other dummies that he wanted to get the dummies out of the water even if it wasn’t his turn. Next time when he is like this i leave the group and watch on a appropriate distance. Also started down at a distance. Finn had to stay down when I went a couple of meters (30) away and by turning back he was supposed to stay down. And Finn did very well!
Last Tuesday we were on a different spot to train. We often change scenery for the dogs don’t get used to the place. It was rather hot, so Finn decided to take a bath in some muddy ditches...he still stinks! Finn is very eager to do the excersises. So off we went out of the group. He winds up very quickly and to get him unwind we walk away and do some steadiness excersises. Every time I walked back he started to wind up again, so the whole time we were out of the group. The trainer mentioned to pass his turn as a lesson, so that he will not be rewarded by giving him his turn to get his dummy over water. I don’t know....I have problem with being out of the group, let alone just watch and do nothing..Your opinions on this please....! He also got the hidden(lost) apport very quickly. Other dogs didn’t find theirs, so Finn took his turn again to retrieve a second dummy. And he came back with it. He doesn’t give it to me, but drops it in front of my feet. Anyone who has tips how I can learn him to give it gently to me?
