Hi All...Need pointing in the right direction please.. Poppy is nearly 15 months old and I have decided some serious training needs to start asap....we have dabbled before with various training books classes but I have never followed through bit like the rest of my life...but that's another story!!! Anyway where shall I start, we lead very busy lifes with work etc Poppy is with me all day every day but mostly left to her own devices we have plenty of fields etc where we work so if not with me she has a good run in the fields or runs around inside our three warehouses I do a few walks through out the day with her but no real training and I know not ideal to start when she is a little older but any help much appreciated....Thankyou
Re: TRAINING IN 2014 Hi Lois, as Poppy is Lab x Collie she may well enjoy Agility or flyball training, these activities really help your dogs focus on you, it will keep you both fit too . Good for you thinking ahead, good luck
Re: TRAINING IN 2014 Basic obedience is always a good start, even if you have some of this already it's good to go along to some classes as you never know what you might learn! Another vote for agility or flyball, if you want something active.
Re: TRAINING IN 2014 Why not gundog training? It's great fun, and teaches loads of things that are useful for pet skills. You don't ever have to go shooting.
Re: TRAINING IN 2014 Must admit I am better at reading about it rather than doing - suffer also from the dratted lack of follow-through. I would recommend the collective fun and support of a friendly obedience class for starters, personally. Ours does a range of different ages and experience of dogs, along with opportunities for an agility class, and also scenting I think. For someone like me who doesn't get out much : I find our group real fun and supportive. I have a very low key social life - got to make the most of what I can find. Basically, whatever actual activity you think is right for you, try it in a class first would be my advice
Re: TRAINING IN 2014 Lois good for you!first one one here with a New Years resolution!i was only thinking over Christmas that our DIY Flyball training should be mine.My board is gathering dust and Dexter is old enough and I hope receptive enough now! Obedience classes are a great idea.i did 2 lots,first when Dexter arrived to us at 5 months ( I worried he was too old!!!) no need to worry...facilities aren't great here and dogs of all ages were thrown together in the 'puppy' class......it was useless as any kind of group training environment but we had a great time socializing and trying to steal everybody else's more interesting treats,great way to meet people ;D Anyway I think around the 7/8 month mark I went back to a different class,still 'puppy' obedience ( still dogs of all ages in the class....in fact no 'puppies' now I think about it!)dexters general obedience was ok at this point but I wanted to practice around other dogs and didn't feel like I was getting the opportunity out in the parks....I was initially disappointed because the pre course reading said the dogs weren't allowed to socialize under any circumstances .....but it was actually really good.Dexter learned to realise that he isn't going to be allowed to say hello to every dog he sees (something I still,struggle with in the 'outside ' world :-[) and that he has to do as he is told when there are other dogs around.i ended up really enjoying it. Have a look round and see what is available in your area and let us know what you decide to try....good luck and I hope you fond something that you both like x
