My son and I bought Charlie this Orange Snake like toy that claims can still be used even if punctured, no stuffing so great. Anyway gave it to Charlie on Saturday and it was love at first sight . I kid you not this snake or 'toy' as we call it (or maybe we should call it 'snake') rarely leaves his side, he even picks it up and takes it to bed to lay on, he buries it in the gravel too : He has been bringing it to us and dropping it into our hands and we have been getting him to retrieve it only indoors, so I now hide the 'toy' in the house and tell him 'go get your toy' which he does and brings it to me - BIG treats and praise. When he has buried it in the garden I command the same thing and he brings it back. As ridiculous as this sounds, could this be the 'IT' thing to get him interested? Now I know it's not a dummy, rabbit ball etc. and visions of a very large black dog legging it around with a bright orange 18" snake in his mouth is not the most thrilling but who the heck cares or am I barking up the wrong tree as usual : Just a crazy thought from the crazy Charlie owner grasping at very thin straws Helen xx
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Doesn't sound like a thin straw to me, Helen, it sounds like an 18"-long and doubtless quite thick straw!!! That's great, and yes it may be just the thing to get him interested in some kind of 'seek and return' game. Perhaps not traditional retrieving, Charlie is after all a law unto himself, but perhaps you can make the 'find and fetch the snake' game increasingly difficult, so he searches for it in the garden as well as the house... Good luck, I hope he continues to want to play with it/you! (And I'd go out now and buy a replacement, while they are still available...)
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Thanks, I will start making it more difficult and good idea to buy another reserve snake ;D Please, please, please, please, please let this work. Helen x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Whatever floats his boat Helen , doesnt really matter what the item it and in any case , the snake sounds like an ideal addition to the family , good lad Charlie ;D
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! You sure he hasn't got any cocker in him?? Burrying the retrieve is a real cocker trait, they are called 'The Undertakers' amongst spaniel people. But if the snake works, who cares what it looks like and what he does with it.
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Heidrun, he may well make the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest Cocker cross standing at 27" to the withers ;D Apart from bones this is the only toy he has ever buried and he also whines when he is licking and playing with it, all very strange behaviour but no surprises there :, so an 'Undertaker' he is. We all know how fickle Charlie is and his attention span is almost ZERO, it will probably be old news in a couple of days. : Helen x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! I hope you've found the magical 'It' for Charlie! and yes who cares what it is. Cuillin found an old woollen hat up the hill at the weekend and they both spent AGES retreiving it really excitedy, even ignoring the dummy for it, so whatever floats his boat!!
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! This could be the magic key on the lock Helen,fingers crossed,great he's found something he loves x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Could well be the answer ;D My one Lab is fixated on tennis balls and will do anything for them, let's hope Charlie is the same with the snake. It sounds as if Charlie is in love ;D
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Oh he is in LoVe Delivering his beloved snake into my hand a LOT even when I don't ask. Keep going Charle PLEASE : Helen x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Try and keep him 'hooked' Helen, don't be tempted to keep going until he gets bored. Remember that rationing increases desire!
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Oh good grief I have just let him keep the 'snake', oh no I should take it away for special occasions shouldn't I? Helen x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Sorry, as you have noticed my getting a successful photo onto the forum is not going well but I will try and get a good photo of Charlie with his snake as requested H x
Re: CRAZY post but here goes !! Well, Charlie is a bit of a law unto himself, but keeping toys for special occasions, usually maintains the dog's interest in them for longer. You know him best, though Helen. Do whatever you think will keep him interested.
