So, after a false start with training, I am feeling very excited, and a little nervous, as Maisie and I are going to meet a new trainer for a 1:1 tomorrow. Actually, it's the same trainer Joy and Molly go to (big thank you to Joy!).
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Try not to be nervous , enjoy it , its great fun , hoping you both gets lots from it
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Good luck to you both (I'm sure you won't need it though )
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Don't forget to try to enjoy yourself while you are there
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Just back from our session. When I got there there was another new owner there as well with her 7 month old lab called Juno. The trainer showed us around his grounds which are amazing. A beautiful lake, wonderful woodland and surrounding fields. We let the dogs off for a run and a play and Maisie was brilliant coming back to me and behaving beautifully! Very pleased! Then we wandered off into the woods and let the dogs off again while we walked - Maisie disappeared out of site and didn't come back! Having told the trainer that she sticks pretty closed to me I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or worried :! Eventually she reappeared licking her lips!! We then did some sit/stays and some retrieves with a dummy. All good there and I learnt quite a few new things as well. We kept the dogs on lead for most of the time while in the woodlands, but Maisie is used to running off lead in this environment and she was a nightmare pulling really badly. I need to find away to deal with this as I have a neck problem and can't afford to have my arm pulled off! All in all I'm really pleased to have found Peter and will be going back in two weeks time. Lots to work on in the meantime!
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Sounds great! It's easy to have a well behaved dog if you do the same things day in, day out. They learn to walk on lead where they usually walk, and very familiar surrounding are not so distracting. The proof of your training is going to new, exciting areas - Charlie is often a nightmare! But it'll get better (I hope for me too!).
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Thanks Julie! She doesn't normally go out of sight! When we are in woodland or fields, which is daily, she is off lead most of the time, do you think I should have her on lead sometimes? We don't do a lot of on lead walking as we are surrounded by countryside.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ I will very rarely need to have Willow and Shadow on the lead for the same reason, but I think it's important that they learn loose lead walking for any unforeseen occasion where we need to use it - say if they need to go for a walk through a town, or if they are under vet's orders to only have gentle walks for some reason.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Hi Fiona. Yes definitely needed for all sorts of occasions. She's not too bad if we have to go into town, etc, I'm just wondering of I should be doing lead training in areas where she is usually off lead? It was hard work today trying to keep her under control in the woods as she was desperate to get at all those wonderful smells!!!!
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Well, I'd say yes to the lead walking. Because I had a nightmare with Charlie - I thought he was great on his lead, until he was injured and I had to do 8 months on lead with an unexercised teenager! So I think he must always be able to walk on his lead if I need him to. We had an awful time on our "introduction to game week" with not being able to keep a loose lead around pheasant hunting - few of the dogs could though. So lots of work still to do for us!
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Im glad it went so well and your happy with your new trainer. You could do some lead walking when you are doing your daily walks. Rather than let her loose for the whole time just do five or ten minutes on lead in the wood then let loose. Then another day let loose but put her back on the lead for five minutes before you go and another day five minutes on lead in the middle of the walk. If you mix it up it won't become as much of a routine and might help proof your lead walking more.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Thank you....operation "on-lead walking " starts tomorrow! She's in for a shock! Good idea Jen, I'll definitely mix it up.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Glad you've found a good trainer and (apart from a bit of over exuberance) had a good time. I think it's good to do a bit of lead walking too, not least because it gets the dog used to going on the lead in unusual places without fuss.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ Sounds really positive I would definitely start lead walking as the others have suggested as when she comes into season you will not be able to let her off lead anywhere. I recently brought a K9 Bridle which is a head collar and it has completely stopped all pulling - even in new environments I needed to address this even though 95% of our walks are if lead because of my neck/back injuries. Good luck
Re: A new start with gundog training........ I'm talking from personal experience here, I would keep her on the lead when you go training. I have no idea what's lurking in Peter's woods but I have spent many a hour chasing after a very young Alice in there and I got to know that woodland very well indeed. :-[ ;D She would always turn up by the lake eventually. Say hello to Peter for me.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ I think they must be super-sniffy woods as I always have trouble with Molly pulling on the lead while we're there too, whereas she walks very nicely on a loose lead on pavement, even if we're walking towards an off-lead area. I've also had experience of her legging it while there, though not for ages so I hope we're over that! Glad you had a good time otherwise.
Re: A new start with gundog training........ [quote author=heidrun link=topic=8835.msg125492#msg125492 date=1416495133] I'm talking from personal experience here, I would keep her on the lead when you go training. I have no idea what's lurking in Peter's woods but I have spent many a hour chasing after a very young Alice in there and I got to know that woodland very well indeed. :-[ ;D She would always turn up by the lake eventually. Say hello to Peter for me. [/quote] There is definitely some serious smells in those woods! The other dog didn't seem to be so bothered, but Maisie was on alert to every sound and smell and was desperate to explore! I will heed your warning and keep her on lead! I'll say "hi" to Peter!
