Hi, I am taking Charlie for his second gundog lesson with Annie this week. Does anyone have any ideas about what I should ask for from our lesson? Our first lesson was walking around the bird/rabbit pens and getting him to 'leave it' which we have worked on every day since then (Feb). As it is quite expensive I need to get the correct information and help Thank you very much Helen x
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week I agree, stop whistle training. Also if alternative rewards to food such as hunting will ever be appropriate for Charlie.
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week We have started with a "down" command at our class when the dog is moving away from us. Early days but has promise. Whistle stop a great thing for Charlie I reckon. Have you got the "steadiness" with Charlie? - thats another thing we need to get with Lilly. Can do it no probs with food but not for chasing and retrieving Hope it goes well jac
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Lesson just got cancelled by Annie due to family illness, not had a lesson since February Not really sure there is any point if there is such a huge gap between lessons. Annie is always so busy with training and her kennels, she also teaches at Sparsholt College. Gundog trainers thin on the ground in Hampshire. Thank you for your great suggestions anyway. Helen x
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Yes, with lessons that far apart it doesn't really seem like the best of all possible worlds... Never mind Helen, continue on with your great work with Charlie...
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Helen, that is a great shame that your lesson with Annie has been cancelled. Because my background is gundogs and working my dogs I approach every problem from that angle but I do realise that not everyone wants to train their dogs to the level of a working gundog. With that in mind how about a whole day of learning how to deal with predatory chase behaviour? This is the link http://www.positivetrainingforcanines.co.uk/events David Ryan has written a very interesting book on the subject. I don't personally know the company Positive Training for Canines but they are in Hampshire and they do offer other recall workshops apart from the David Ryan course. Might be worth a look?
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Heidrun, thank you for the information I appreciate it and will look into it. I feel Annie is just to busy for us and since our first lesson in February this week was all she could offer me apart from a date in April that I just couldn't make, so who knows when she can next see us. Helen
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Oh dear Helen, that is disappointing. I think you're right you need more frequent support if you're going to spend your hard earned cash Good luck finding the right trainer!
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week I like Heidrun's suggestion a lot. I did think that perhaps normal gun dog training, based on retrieving, wasn't perhaps the right thing for Charlie... But didn't want to sound negative or put you off, as you have done such sterling work with him. Perhaps the pointer is stronger in him than the lab, and you could find out some more about working to that side of his heritage??? Now - don't go running off to some dodgy Pointer forum though, you hear me??? 8)
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Cant add to the excellent advice Helen , except to say, keep the faith
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Karen, I don't think any Pointer forum would accept me, I ask too many questions!! ;D ;D Heidrun, I have looked at that site you sent the link for, looks great, I have emailed them with Charlie's history and how much they charge. Looks like it would suite Charlie and I much better than the gundog stuff We will see I bet it's an arm and a leg though and have just been made redudant Onwards and upwards and Kate I am keeping the faith - mostly!! Helen xx
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Helen, great to hear that you find the link useful. Are they very far from you? Maybe consider group training sessions rather than expensive 1-2-1s. I know that some people find group training intimidating because their dogs get distracted by all the other dogs and handlers, but I, personally really enjoy training with others because it does teach the dog patience and self control, plus it does take the spot light off me and my dog every so often.
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week Heidrun, they are in Winchester so only 20 minutes drive. I would rather not do group sessions, I find them far too stressfull and then Charlie becomes anxious and so it all falls apart and we both fail , maybe with some more confidence I could progress to a group. Thank you Helen
Re: 2nd Gundog Lesson this week You also might find a trainer here: http://www.ukgundogs.org/View-users-list/Trainers.html I haven't used any of them myself and they're gundog trainers but if you're doing 1-2-1 that may not matter as you'll be focussing on what you want
