Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7009.msg98280#msg98280 date=1406730932] My friend used to have a couple of Yorkies who would launch themselves onto my German Pointer's necks and hang on, the German Pointers used to carry on walking as if nothing was happening [/quote] ;D ;D ;D 8)
Re: Charlie's July/August training (warning: boast post) Pretty bloomin' thrilled. We had a lovely, lovely walk through the woods tonight. It hasn't rained here, but is a bit cooler - was fresh and very pleasant under the shady trees. Common by julieandcharlie, on Flickr Went out tonight at a normal time (6pm) so the Common was more typical than when we've been walking recently - I have a dread of becoming one of those "midnight walkers" doing everything to avoid distractions, people and other dogs. I can't say the Common was as busy as it would be in late Spring or early Summer - people are away on holiday now, I think. We still met other dogs, people having picnics, a pretty full on frisbee game with lots of shouty people, and a party in the woods with people BBQing and listening to a chap playing a saxophone (he was quite good ). Absolutely delighted that Charlie recalled away from other dogs - twice. Both times he was ahead of me and saw the other dogs before I did. He stopped and looked (my cue to blow his recall) and he trotted back good as gold. This is a big deal for Charlie, deprived of contact with other dogs for so long. He walked at heel off lead passed people sat on the grass eating, and walked at heel on lead passed wood Sax party and frisbee game (I wouldn't manage that at an off lead heel yet). I was particularly pleased with the frisbee game - my clicker and sardine dispenser were brill. Even though it hasn't rained here, and the whole Common is as dry as a bone, he'd like the other forum labs to know that he found the only bit of mud for miles. (Sorry about the out of focus pic, he was moving quite fast!). mud by julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Re: Charlie's July/August training Wow Julie! I an envious of your good boy. All your efforts and hard work are clearly paying off 8)
Re: Charlie's July/August training Ah, thanks! It's only a walk on Wimbledon Common though - hundreds of people do that with their dogs everyday (I'm always surprised that most - but far from all - dogs are reasonably under control). But not us - for months now - so I'm pleased we are getting back to normal.
Re: Charlie's July/August training Puts my training to shame :-[ I walk on the common and it seems no-one else walks these days, all the little paths are getting overgrown with brambles and long grass, so we rarely see another dog and walk in solitary splendour. I was pleased yesterday as I was just going to go round a corner, when Rourke came running back to me and wanting the ball as a reward, he had gone round the corner ahead of me, seen two horses and riders very close and immediately returned, my 'leave' command had been remembered well.
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7009.msg99119#msg99119 date=1407010584] Puts my training to shame [/quote] I doubt it very much! ;D ;D ;D I used a lot of sardine to get passed the frisbees! But, from a distance, we'd have looked pretty much under control and normal. (My sardine dispenser has done 3 walks now, and I reckon still has two more left in it ).
Re: Charlie's July/August training I thought of you when in Waitrose on Friday, they had tiny little plastic pots and I though ideal for sardines! I remember on behaviourist advocating little boxes with flakes of tuna in and letting the dog lick it out. Maybe I should try sardines ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7009.msg99127#msg99127 date=1407012130] I thought of you when in Waitrose on Friday, they had tiny little plastic pots and I though ideal for sardines! I remember on behaviourist advocating little boxes with flakes of tuna in and letting the dog lick it out. Maybe I should try sardines ;D [/quote] I use a small plastic pot for jackpot rewards and let Charlie lick the Sardines out and it works a treat, no smelly hands and it just goes in my pocket or a poo bag
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7009.msg99127#msg99127 date=1407012130] I thought of you when in Waitrose on Friday, they had tiny little plastic pots and I though ideal for sardines! I remember on behaviourist advocating little boxes with flakes of tuna in and letting the dog lick it out. Maybe I should try sardines ;D [/quote] ;D ;D ;D Sardines float Charlie's boat. 8) I used cooked chicken breast (looks pretty watery and unappetising to me...) for most things tonight (can't use my normal low cal sea biscuits due to soft food restrictions). But sardines remain the big guns for frisbee game training and recall from other dog rewards. To the extent that I have "invested" in production equipment for my dispensers. Tonight in Waitrose, I bought a hand blender and this "fill 'an squeeze" system: fill 'an squeeze by julieandcharlie, on Flickr No stopping us now... 8) ;D ;D ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=bbrown link=topic=7009.msg99134#msg99134 date=1407013691] Do you deliver? ;D [/quote] I'll think about it... 8). (But still keep the day job for now... ;D ;D ;D )
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7009.msg99128#msg99128 date=1407012441] Charlie is going really well!! No wonder you are pleased, Julie [/quote] Thrilled. Ok, it's "normal" stuff. Walking on the Common and not being a disgrace. It's not anything fancy. But that doesn't matter. (Although hope we do progress with our pet gundog stuff too - we're further behind with that than 9 months ago though - we might catch up...). I'm happy measuring us against our own progress, not against others. And this is what we were only 3 months ago: [quote author=JulieT link=topic=5400.msg68008#msg68008 date=1397417207] (For new readers, I have a young, very excitable, dog on crate rest and short lead walks - just in case you think I'm just completely incompetent). ... Round the front of the car, kids playing football - and booted the ball right at us. For Charlie, there is nothing on this earth more attractive than a moving ball, and all hell broke loose. Was so bad, OH picked Charlie up and carried him out of sight of the ball. Boo! Unfortunately, OH deposited us in the path of the Sunday evening round the park run, so Charlie's excitement levels were not helped by people running madly for the finish line. Quick exit right, into a line of small trees and bushes, where we recovered our composure. Onwards, excited and not behaving well, over the hill - seems noisy, is that music? - smack into a camp party, hasty exit through the woods, down to the pond. ... Round to the stream, and through the flat area below the golf course. To find a race of remote control trucks in progress. Did I say a moving ball was the most attractive thing on this earth? I was mistaken. I'll save you the rest of it - which was a very short lead route march back to the car and a stiff drink for me tonight! [/quote]
Re: Charlie's July/August training Julie you are doing an amazing job. Charlie sounds like he is becoming a wonderfully responsive and well behaved gentleman. You should be extremely proud of you both. Thank you for being so open and honest about your training. I have gained a lot out of reading your progress reports. I loved reading that old post. The visual of Charlie trying to get to everything is very funny. We have a remote control car issue here that I really should deal with while we are at home on restrictions. My boys have them and Milly is dead set on killing them when they come out. Also the vacuum. Not sure why but she is determined to attack at first sight. Lol it's really funny but I really should nip it in he but before it gets too hard to correct. Also have to ask what is your sardine dispenser? It sounds great. I think I need one ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training I haven't seen a hand blender in my Waitrose, must have a good look on Monday, could be useful
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=AnnetteB link=topic=7009.msg99142#msg99142 date=1407016572] Charlie sounds like he is becoming a wonderfully responsive and well behaved gentleman. [/quote] Oh no! I've over-boasted! ;D We've got a looooong way to go before Charlie can be called a gent! About a decade, I would have thought. ;D ;D ;D [quote author=AnnetteB link=topic=7009.msg99142#msg99142 date=1407016572] Also have to ask what is your sardine dispenser? It sounds great. I think I need one ;D [/quote] Blended sardines in a baby food pouch! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Charlie's July/August training I think you are well on your way to gent status. I will have to go buy some baby food pouches now and see how much mess I can make filling them with stinky sardines. Lol : ???
Re: Charlie's July/August training It's brilliant how well you are doing with Charlie..and I love your honesty too. I look at other dog owners who look so casual and relaxed with their dogs, even to the extent of chatting or texting on their mobiles, whilst I am on high alert weighed down with clicker, balls and treat bag..(not yet got a sardine dispenser... next on my shopping list ) watching Benson like a hawk!
Re: Charlie's July/August training [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=7009.msg99213#msg99213 date=1407060220] It's brilliant how well you are doing with Charlie..and I love your honesty too. I look at other dog owners who look so casual and relaxed with their dogs, even to the extent of chatting or texting on their mobiles, whilst I am on high alert weighed down with clicker, balls and treat bag..(not yet got a sardine dispenser... next on my shopping list ) watching Benson like a hawk! [/quote] Kate,i absolutely hear you!I'm exactly the same plus a whistle and a backpack.....and I'll have a sardine dispenser soon if my experiment works to check they don't upset Dexters tummy The folks I meet for an illegal off lead run around in my park know I prefer to stand in a certain place too so I've got all entrances visually covered....and I'm the only one who calls Dexter back and puts him on his lead if a dog on a lead appears ......they all think I'm a big square but iI can't be any other way .....
