So... Bob encountered his first dead rabbit today on our walk. Anyways, he had a good ol sniff and I said 'leave it' and he just came back to me. So I thought to myself WOW I've got a very well trained dog here! But then I got to thinking, maybe the fact it was dead and not jumping around meant it didn't spark his attention at all. And maybe it didn't smell of much? So... I tried some more 'leave it' commands and thew some treats on the ground. And he completely ignored me and ate them all up! Little monkey! So I think the rabbit 'leave it' was a bit of a fluke. Must work on 'leave it' more.. it used to be quite a strong command for Bob.. and it's easy to train and practice. So will get back on the case with it I think. Lou x
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... Really good that Bob ignore the dead rabbit. We haven't come across a dead rabbit, only a dead coypu which Juno was not at all interested in - barely gave it a glance. I try to make sure that I do a few leave it with Juno every day or couple of days as it's such a good command that covers lots of things
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... Yes I remember when Bob was much younger and he was going crazy with another dog who'd come over to us on the beach. I said LEAVE IT and he turned and looked at me straight away and I was able to distract him with a treat and get him focussed on me again. We've lost the edge of the command, it used to be very strong for him. Defo agree, it can be applied in so many situations, worth a bit of extra homework I think! Lou x
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... Sometimes I just have a few treats for Juno in the evening and place each one on the floor with a leave. I then pick them up one at a time but she has to wait until I tell her to take. Only needs a few minutes and fits into any other training you're doing easily. I find it such a useful command - if in doubt a leave tends to work wonders. ;D
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... With meg it depends on the rabbit ...if its very old and rotting she will leave easily but I think that's her choice not my command. If its a fresh dead one there is no chance of a her leaving it. I then figure it's a raw tea she has chosen. We live in the Yorjshire dales so dead bunnies are a daily event. I wonder what she would make of a coypu !
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... Ugh, OH says "leave it" all the time, when they can't be expected to listen. It's a completely meaningless phrase now and does nothing. So, I'm going to start again with "not yours". And only out of earshot of the old man
Re: Dead rabbit on our walk... [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10654.msg157913#msg157913 date=1429606560] Ugh, OH says "leave it" all the time, when they can't be expected to listen. It's a completely meaningless phrase now and does nothing. So, I'm going to start again with "not yours". And only out of earshot of the old man [/quote] Why is it they always have to repeat a command, and particularly one you've just given :. I'm lucky with Juno as it doesn't seem to have to much effect ;D
