Using other people to help with the calling away exercises is just impossible as my friends are just not available to help at any given time and as this section moves on 10 different people are needed . I am not trying to get out of training I promise, but to Charlie's credit he can be verbally called off people and dogs without any issue and in fact ignores them when outside and will "leave it" when I give the command. I am not moving on with his training because of this issue and have only managed 2 sessions in this exercise since just after Christmas. I am worried that this is really dragging on now and coming to a complete halt. David and I are tired and really need very soon to be able to let him off lead with Hattie to end this situation of separate 3+ hours a day walking. Would it do any harm to skip these exercises and move on? Sorry to go on. A very worried Helen x
Re: Too difficult to do these exercises Hi Helen, Some dogs are simply not attracted to people or dogs. If your dog falls into this category then it probably won't be an issue for you. However, for anyone that struggles with calling their dog away from other people or other dogs (and that includes many labradors) missing out these exercises will cause problems, simply because if you cannot call your dog away from a person in your own garden, you wont be able to do it in public. Building up a whole repertoire of situations in which you can recall your dog is always a good foundation for a universal recall. Because the more situations in which you can recall your dog, the more he will 'generalise' the command. The key is to be honest about your own dog's weaknesses and practice these above all else. The temptation is to miss out the difficult exercises. Only you can really know your dog well enough to decide if they are necessary. It sounds as though you know Charlie's weaknesses (and strengths) well enough and will make the right decision Pippa
Re: Too difficult to do these exercises Thanks Pippa, feel guilty now and don't know what to do other than rent-a-person!! Helen x
Re: Too difficult to do these exercises Noooo! Don't feel guilty, you are doing great! Just go with your instinct. You know Charlie best, and you understand the point of the exercises. Sometimes, paying a dog trainer to help you for a couple of lessons can get you over a sticky patch. Just a thought.
Re: Too difficult to do these exercises Thanks. Will try to call in all the favours I am owed, and maybe bottles of wine as thank you's might help! Won't/can't let Charlie down Helen x
