I never got round to making charts for training and have always pretty much worked on basics at home, preferably in the garden, and then just carried on using the behaviour out and about. In France I had very little opportunity to stage situations so always had to work with what came along . Hope you can upload the video, would love to see Dexter playing football with your Dad
Had a playing field all to ourselves today, so tried out my whipit. Dexter loved it and some other fast paced games to build upon his recall and stop whistle. Anyone looking out of their windows must have thought a mad woman had landed. Big smiley grin on Dexter's face and mine too, weather was awful but our hearts were shining
Sounds as if you both had loads of fun and that's just as it should be I gave up worrying about what people thought a long time ago. I think the neighbours in France thought I was totally mad from what they heard when I was playing with Juno in the garden, even when it was raining
Love the sounds of that Donna, sounds like you had lots of fun and that's how it should be. When I had the use of a paddock in the early days of having Charlie, I would be running, rolling around on the ground, had Charlie chasing me and doing lots of training, stop whistle, recall, hiding food, going through gate manners, approaching horses etc, I would be there in the rain, snow all weathers. People walking along the foot path would often stop to watch and sometimes give us lovely compliments too. You gotta do what you gotta do!! xx
I'll have to give the rolling around on the ground a try and see what Dexter makes of it It's refreshing when people stop and give compliments, makes you feel proud of your bundle of mischief
I know what will happen if I start rolling around on the floor - I get a very enthusiastic face licking from Juno I look forward to seeing the video. How is your Dad? Hope life is a little easier than last week for you and your family
Revisited your videos on this thread this morning @JulieT to see how I could adapt what you were doing with Charlie. I was able to get a better idea watching them today after I had taken a break from training so to speak, although you never really stop all together as things always crop up day to day but I think my brain had gotten into overload and I needed time to get my head around everything. Today Dexter progressed in the garden, first using a dummy and his 'place' Vetbed. Dexter started to ignore the dummy, first with my foot on it, then with my foot off of it, he tried to get the dummy a couple of times but quickly learned (without any cues) that that wasn't the idea. During the 20 reps, done in stages with short breaks I could drop the dummy beside Dexter and he stayed on his place and carried out sit up or down or both before getting his c&t. I then tried the same starting back at the beginning with a ball but Dexter wouldn't take food as a reward so I used two identical balls. One for him to ignore and one as the reward. I first lured with a ball in my stay hand signal hand, I actually alternate so that he knows either hand for the cue, then put the reward ball away in my treat bag or behind my back. Dexter quickly got the idea and during our 10-15 minute session, Dexter was staying put whilst I lobbed the ball in one direction, waited for it to stop and then clicked and released him as I threw the reward ball in the other direction. He found it easier to ignore the ball thrown to my left than visa versa but I think that was more my fault at not getting it quite right on some of the goes. I'll revisit from scratch tomorrow to start him off and build him up in stages. Had two lovely loose lead walks, Dexter caught a headless pigeon on the grass verge but I managed to get him to leave it even though he wanted it pretty darn badly. Our first lead walk was on harness and our second on collar. His other two walks were with my OH. No off lead run today as wanted to spend time working in the garden with him and didn't want him too physically tired out before hand. He's been really good at chilling out in doors since I've stopped doing training in the house which is a bonus as its always been difficult for him to switch off from training.
Sorry @MaccieD it took ages to upload onto flickr. Enjoy, Dexter playing his version of football with his Pops IMG_1545 by Donna, on Flickr
Oh no, I always have some problem with flickr it is set to public but I'll go back and check. I'll try sharing it again. IMG_1545 by Donna, on Flickr
I can see them both now Dexter is such a good, special boy, and he really loved playing with your dad, and played so nicely. Definitely a video to treasure for you and your family. Thank you for sharing xx
I was surprised dad didn't stumble, I was a bit worried in case he did but I guess when he wasn't thinking about walking it made it easier for him. They both enjoyed the game, only rules are: don't kick the ball hard as it's quite heavy and Dexter is free to give it up as he wishes unless he starts chewing it to bits or its time to end the game and have a treat.
It certainly looks as if your dad was totally focussed on the game with Dexter and really enjoying it, and Dexter loved both 'killing' the ball but very quickly started returning it to your dad to maintain the game. Precious memories.
