It doesn't matter how hard we work for Charlie just NOTHING works even after 2 1/2 years. Can't do it any more we are totally out of patience, motivation and energy now so no point :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( Please don't reply I really just needed to say those words :'(
Re: Can't do this any more ;( {{hug}} Because that's what I'd do if you'd said those words standing in the same room as me. Clare
Re: Can't do this any more ;( You might not want a reply but tough. You might not believe me but I know how it feels. My two have driven me to tears and that's not easy. They are hard work and many times I think what's the point why am I bothering. Unfortunately there's nothing we can say or do to fix it apart from being there for you when you need to let off steam. So steam away Helen X
Re: Can't do this any more ;( [quote author=charlie link=topic=4526.msg55293#msg55293 date=1392812037]... Please don't reply ...[/quote] Sorry, I'm one of those husbands, referred to in another thread, that hasn't been fully trained yet! Reply follows ... Helen, we're new to dog ownership and training so I know that I'm not speaking with great experience (at 5 months old I don't doubt that we have far more trying times ahead with Harvey than we have experienced so far!). However, it seems to me that we all have good days and less good days when working with our dogs (I'm sure even Pippa and Heidrun would admit to this). I also seem to recall a number of posts where you have told us about the progress that you and Charlie are making together. I know it can be tough but try to think of the things that do go right (a few recent posts He has done so well ... http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4484.msg54766#msg54766 Did memories and marked retrieves really well today ... http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4483.msg54737#msg54737 Charlie did really well, again ... http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4466.msg54438#msg54438 Chin up
Re: Can't do this any more ;( UncleBob has hit the nail on the head. Over the last few days you've posted a lot about how well Charlie is doing. I'm guessing today something went wrong. ??? My two have done the same. Sunday, Monday really good today like they've never learnt a thing. If I say something that upsets you I apologise I don't mean to I'm just trying to help but perhaps you need to reasses the goals you have for Charlie. From posts you've done I think the main problems you have are Charlie running off when loose and not being able to walk him off lead with Hattie. Charlie won't ever be like Hattie. No dog will. All my dogs have been completely different and although I'm making a big effort with these two I doubt I'll ever walk them off lead. My cousins dog Harry a rescue is so well behaved he can be off lead anywhere with anybody. Why not focus on his lead walking. You might not like keeping him on a lead while Hattie is loose but there may be no other way so train him to walk well on a lead while Hattie is loose and train Hattie how to behave off lead so it doesn't work Charlie up. I do think you need a new strategy so you feel like your making progress. As he gets older and calmer it will change and you can alter your goals. We get told not to set our dogs up to fail. I think that also applies to us. Don't feel like you've failed change what your trying to do. Sorry again if I've said anything to upset you. If I could I'd come and help you in a flash. Like I said I know how hard it is.
Re: Can't do this any more ;( Helen my dear… Just want to reach through the internet and give you a big hug. And Charlie too of course.
Re: Can't do this any more ;( :'( :'( :'( so sorry to hear this, Helen. You are a star in my book. Hugs and more hugs to you....wish I could come brew up a nice cuppa for you and bring some chocolate....oh, where's my magic wand to wave????
Re: Can't do this any more ;( I have been in the same position as you many times with barley. Within the first year of having him several times the idea of giving him to a rescue center came up because we could not handle him, he was way to much hard work especially since he was our first dog. But we stuck with it, he is way of being a good dog and he never will be but i would not change him for the world, he is a very special boy, even if i want to throttle him at times. You have done really well with him so far, just look back at what he used to be like, and look at him now and see the big difference that you have made to him. There is no magic wand to fix things, it just takes a lot of time, perseverance and effort, but you will get there in the end. Just take a couple of days away from training him to regain your confidence and get yourself in the right state of mind to start training him again, start with easy stuff that he knows and does really well and slowly move onto the harder stuff. Sending you hugs
Re: Can't do this any more ;( Helen,no.....you're not on! None of us will leave you alone!so stop it xxxxxxxx Have your bad day.....we all know you've had a rotten time and been on your own without David,and the family to run and the dogs..........AND the worry of the flooding ...so DONT YOU REPLY ;D you haven't got time ;D......catch your breath then come and have a grumble and tell us all ,BIG HUG xxxx
Re: Can't do this any more ;( oh helen i am so sorry you are feeling so down, you have made so much progress with charlie,......sending big hugs xx
Re: Can't do this any more ;( You and Charlie have come so far. We are proud of you. Enough said {{{hugs}}}
Re: Can't do this any more ;( Couldn't agree more. Your progress has been amazing. Truly! We can't all be wrong about that. Hugs from me too. Take care.
Re: Can't do this any more ;( Helen I don't know if your reading this and you may have already considered this or discussed it in previous threads which I've missed but it has just occurred to me have you thought about training Charlie as a pointer rather than a retriever? Perhaps although he looks like a lab his natural instinct and desire is that of a pointer. When it comes to hunting it sounds like it is. I don't know anything about training pointers and how it differs from training a retriever but there are people on the forum who do. Sorry if I'm repeating old stuff it was just a thought Jen
