Re: Charlie's July/August training But the smells Julie. I bet wombles have a strong scent. My two would be nose down and off. :-\ Scent can be just as big a distraction as the actual thing and Charlie is proofed for that. I don't care whether there where dogs there or not Charlie is brilliant. ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Jen link=topic=7009.msg97792#msg97792 date=1406546325] My two would be nose down and off. :-\ [/quote] He was just starting to do this around 8 months (when we stopped walking off lead). He did it just a couple of times, and disappeared out of sight, but it was quite alarming even though he came back on his recall. One of the reasons I've been cautious with the 15m limit as we returned to off lead. It does seem to have worked. So far.... I am inexperienced at these things, but the Common seems to be the most exciting place for hunting that we walk. Even when gundog trainers tell me the fields we are in are full of gamey smells, those never seems as challenging as the Common. It must be the wombles! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training Well, we did ok. It wasn't as busy as I thought it would be - perhaps people are on holiday. We did the walk that we first managed to do on lead after his op - it was blissful to do it off lead. Back on lead for walking passed the swans no problems. Then we found a lost dog while we were still on lead. : So had to take the dog along with us to find its owner. This was a bit much for Charlie and we had some fussing. Oh well. On the way back, we watched two people kicking a football and 3 off lead spaniels. We didn't sit on the bench as that would have been too close. He was transfixed, so I just waited until he turned round then C&T. He was soon turning towards me often. We walked on in the end with minor tugs. Pretty pleased with that. The spaniels were quiet though. No so good news - I noticed a few "mis-steps" on his recovering leg. This is not limping, it's where he protects the leg when he hops over things or avoids taking his full weight on it from time to time. It may be nothing to worry about, but it'll need a vet check tomorrow. Hope its ok and we don't need rest. :-\
Re: Charlie's July/August training Hope it's nothing serious Well done on your walks though.....I think you do a marvellous job with all the distractions at Wombledon Common
Re: Charlie's July/August training Riley struggled on Southampton common let alone Wimbledon common! I think you both do brilliantly! we're a bit like Obi, un-met dogs are like kryptonite!!! Met ones are pretty meh.... hope the leg is ok x
Re: Charlie's July/August training Hoping he is ok Julie......way beyond what I can do with Lillypops.
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=bbrown link=topic=7009.msg97882#msg97882 date=1406571201] we're a bit like Obi, un-met dogs are like kryptonite!!! Met ones are pretty meh.... [/quote] I'd settle for meh on met dogs.... that sounds good! But it's comforting to hear other dogs are kryptonite for others too. Although, I didn't see much sign of Charlie's version of kryptonite when I met Riley. We're still a bit in awe here. (And don't say I say that 'cos I need to meet "proper" gundogs - I've met loads now). OH has just taken Charlie round the block (OH's round the block is a 30 minute quick march). He said Charlie was mis-stepping on his left (uninjured) leg - because Charlie was trying to pee, sniff a leaf, scratch his tummy, and walk forwards, all at the same time. Which is very Charlie. Why stop? : OH said he thought Charlie's right was fine. So that's comforting. I'll still pop him in to the vet tomorrow. Stop me worrying next week if I get a clean bill of health.
Re: Charlie's July/August training All sounds very promising, Julie. I did wonder if some of our international members might be frantically 'googling' Wombles though (and probably left none the wiser ;D) Haven't chipped in here for a while, as there's lots going on, but just as an update: we've left the hideous house renovations for a few days in Lymington. Merla thinks this is GOOD. Morning walks are currently along the sea wall. If the tide is in this can also involve water retrieves, so we've been been practising steadiness (which is a bit skin-of-teeth when water is involved). Obviously there's been lots of dogs we don't know (many of them toy breeds and terriers) and also lots of joggers and cyclists along the sea wall walk. This morning the tide was very OUT and Merla discovered estuary mud (eek!). We resorted to mostly walking on lead, but then dropping the hexabumper from time to time and sending her back for it 50 yards or so. Mostly worked well. I did let her say hello off-lead to a steady-looking Goldie and an older lab and that was fine, quick sniff and away. However, tying in to Jane's thread, a lady with two Border terriers saw Merla on-lead and said 'Is she friendly?' as her (off-lead and un-checked!) dogs approached. 'Yes', I smiled 'She's extremely friendly and also extremely muddy!' 'Ah', she replied, and hurried off!! Ooh yes, and yesterday we went out for a pub lunch, with dog, and then stopped off at Hatchet Pond on the way back. There were New Forest ponies grabbing a drink and a paddle, other dogs and a variety of humans with and without icecreams! Well, I definitely wasn't allowing any free time as she was pretty incandescent with excitement. Had to have some stern words about not lunging towards other dogs in the water, but I did let her off the lead for a few retrieves into the pond. OH lobbed the bumper as far as he could and she was practically hydro-planing on the way out ;D ;D Managed the retrieve without running-in and came straight back to deliver, much to my relief as there were people sat on the bank behind us! So overall very pleased with reactions to the new environment. New Forest Show tomorrow, we just keep piling on those challenges ;D ;D Oh yes, and Kryponite for M is : new dogs, familiar dogs known to be a bit excitable, any dog giving her 'the stare' and ,near top of the tree, familiar dogs known to be excitable on extendable leads!! Oh yes, and any dog in water!! Or retrieving!!! And heaven forbid another dog retrieving from water !!!! (I think that's it : )
Re: Charlie's July/August training That sounds great, Kath. Steady around water? I can only dream... I love the pointing out of a bouncy, muddy dog! Must try it... I hope the show goes well, hope to hear all about it. [quote author=Merla link=topic=7009.msg97910#msg97910 date=1406576248] And heaven forbid another dog retrieving from water !!!! [/quote] Oh yes. Gosh. I'm glad you said that! Maybe Charlie is normal after all...he was a disgrace when we met 2 collies playing fetch in the river...
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7009.msg97926#msg97926 date=1406578628] I love the pointing out of a bouncy, muddy dog! Must try it... [/quote] Even better is the phrase *I wouldn't get too close, she has just rolled in something* ;D ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=7009.msg97932#msg97932 date=1406579424] Even better is the phrase *I wouldn't get too close, she has just rolled in something* ;D ;D [/quote] ;D ;D ;D Definitely saving that one for a choice moment! By the way, completely off topic but must mention the thing she isn't liking about being away is not being allowed upstairs or on furniture. Very aggrieved! Lots of opportunities for practicing stays though (every cloud........ ;D)
Re: Charlie's July/August training Oh Kath! Hatchett pond is where Riley learnt to swim. One of my favourite places, especially popping in to Beaulieu for tea and cake afterwards ;D and thank you Julie, you really are too kind
Re: Charlie's July/August training Oh wow! Yes, it's a great place. I really must make the effort and get back out there in the autumn, when the hoards have gone.
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Merla link=topic=7009.msg97935#msg97935 date=1406579688] not being allowed upstairs or on furniture. Very aggrieved! [/quote] Charlie says he has heard about a forum labrador being deprived of her fundamental sofa rights, and is prepared to organise a campaign right away. He is whispering into his camel (the lambies haven't reached us) as I type...
Re: Charlie's July/August training There is a camel lambie conjunction in Winchester.....unsupervised!!!!
Re: Charlie's July/August training I fully support Charlie's campaign. We're can I donate to Claim The Sofa 2014?
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=bbrown link=topic=7009.msg97953#msg97953 date=1406582360] There is a camel lambie conjunction in Winchester.....unsupervised!!!! [/quote] That is seriously scary! ;D ;D ;D And to think we once thought a lambie free Winchester would be a bolt hole for us when the take over happens. Another walk at the Common today. Charlie legged it to a jogger! And the jogger was a good 100m away! He ignored his recall so I shouted "no! ah-ah!" which I wouldn't normally do, it's something the trainer has been encouraging me to do. It worked! Or, Charlie lost sight of the jogger. One or the other. Anyway, Charlie stopped, turned round, and came back without the reward of jumping all over the jogger. Looking back on that event, I think I should have tried my stop whistle, I think it would have worked better. Honestly. We used to be fine around joggers. I can see "not chasing joggers" will have to feature more strongly in the general "we don't chase stuff" programme. I'll have to find some friendly joggers. I'll start on lead watching the round the park race on Sunday, I think. He saw a dog on the skyline (we were in a valley) and had "gonna leg it" written all over him. I called him to an off lead walk at heel fine that time though - before he took off. Super excited about dogs barking at the end of the path we were walking, again, could call him to an off lead walk at heel. So that's good. Time to start edging a bit closer to the dog action. Not to joggers though. :-[
