Benson is a real challenge at the moment, now at 7 months old, a bit hormonal and finding his paws so to speak in the big, wide world. Heel work is coming along nicely, and definitely we are seeing more drive to retrieve. Very fit now and will not hesitate to race through thick undergrowth after a dummy, delivery is a bit hit and miss but to be expected I guess at his age and bearing in mind our inexperience. Recall well, hmmmmmm, well I am getting fitter, ;D trudging across distances to collect him. There are times when there is just no point blowing the whistle, or even calling him because we don't stand a chance, certainly against some young sassy thing he has spotted! So, we have a couple of long lines, and also the harness to try later, but for now we are working on the "change direction unexpectedly trick" which Benson loves! We start off, Benson assumes he knows where we are going, gives us a glance then off he goes on a sniffing adventure...then abruptly without warning we change direction, and head off briskly...this has really caught Benson's interest and he loves this! ;D When he sees we are heading off somewhere he leaps after us, bounding across the long grass, early days yet but at least he is keeping a little closer, and paying more attention whilst enjoying this new game
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Very nice Always great to get to the point where they're keeping an eye on you for the next fun thing
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. If anyone has any tips or experience with using a long lines...(30 foot and 60 foot) I would be very grateful!
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Not about a long line, but see what Heidrun says here about using a place board to train a good delivery: http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=6195.msg81140
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=6197.msg81150#msg81150 date=1400933623] If anyone has any tips or experience with using a long lines...(30 foot and 60 foot) I would be very grateful! [/quote] I used one for Millie when we first had her as she was a former stray and so I didnt know what she was like off lead . I used to wind it into large loops, lasoo style , clip it on and start off with the same length as a normal lead , then gradually allow it to play out a little further . Dont make the same mistake i made and try to use it in a dense wood, it got very messy
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Thank you Rachael, very interesting, actually your posts regarding obedience training have really got me thinking!
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. It sounds as if you and Benson are getting along really well. I like using the change of direction tactic too - forest walks are always our best ones as there are so many different routes I could take. When I use a longline (7 metres on the beach), I leave it trailing and if Molly doesn't come when I call, I pick up the end to prevent her going off and call / dance around / wave treat bag and then she usually comes. If she doesn't I shorten the distance between us and try again. However I may not be using it in the best way, so will be interested to hear what other people have to say.
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Kate, it's a great trick isn't it? we do this with Charlie on a long line and we do drop the training line in the woods without too much difficulty. Also hide behind trees is another game to play which helps them to keep an eye on you - hopefully : We do whistle recall between two people at about 100 meters with Charlie and he goes racing between the 2 for high value treats Also Thomas my youngest son rides his bike when he goes with David and Charlie, he cycles off and whistles Charlie to him which he loves Have fun x
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Sounds like you are doing just fine with the change in direction trick, if you keep doing it with the recall whistle he will finally get the message. I not a fan of long lines, the dog will know when it is attached and behave, once he feels no resistance he will be off. Teach the recall and heel work correctly and there is no need for them. He is only 7 months so really early days, only do the heel work for a few minutes at a time and then release him with 'go play' and then recall and do a few more yards at heel.
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=Indy link=topic=6197.msg81251#msg81251 date=1400946718] I not a fan of long lines, the dog will know when it is attached and behave, once he feels no resistance he will be off. Teach the recall and heel work correctly and there is no need for them. [/quote] We have a rescue Lab x Pointer with an absconding history so a long line is absolutely necessary to keep Charlie safe. The long line is dropped and over time will gradually be cut meter by meter as his recall improves. The recall and heel work is not always as straight forward for those of us with rescue dogs as for those of you with young puppies. There is a definite need for them.
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=charlie link=topic=6197.msg81258#msg81258 date=1400947335] [quote author=Indy link=topic=6197.msg81251#msg81251 date=1400946718] I not a fan of long lines, the dog will know when it is attach[quote author=charlie link=topic=6197.msg81258#msg81258 date=1400947335] [quote author=Indy link=topic=6197.msg81251#msg81251 date=1400946718] I not a fan of long lines, the dog will know when it is attached and behave, once he feels no resistance he will be off. Teach the recall and heel work correctly and there is no need for them. [/quote] We have a rescue Lab x Pointer with an absconding history so a long line is absolutely necessary to keep Charlie safe. The long line is dropped and over time will gradually be cut meter by meter as his recall improves. The recall and heel work is not always as straight forward for those of us with rescue dogs as for those of you with young puppies. There is a definite need for them. [/quote] We have a rescue Lab x Pointer with an absconding history so a long line is absolutely necessary to keep Charlie safe. The long line is dropped and over time will gradually be cut meter by meter as his recall improves. The recall and heel work is not always as straight forward for those of us with rescue dogs as for those of you with young puppies. There is a definite need for them. [/quote] I agree in your instance, but I was replying to the OP with a pup
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=Indy link=topic=6197.msg81251#msg81251 date=1400946718] the dog will know when it is attached and behave, once he feels no resistance he will be off. [/quote] This was the reason I changed to some cheap polypropylene style line from the DIY shop - I found the ready made long lines too heavy and "noticeable".
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=6197.msg81269#msg81269 date=1400948195] [quote author=Indy link=topic=6197.msg81251#msg81251 date=1400946718] the dog will know when it is attached and behave, once he feels no resistance he will be off. [/quote] This was the reason I changed to some cheap polypropylene style line from the DIY shop - I found the ready made long lines too heavy and "noticeable". [/quote] Easier to cut down too Has having Lilly on a long line helped Jac? x
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. I haven't used it for a while to be honest. She is much better on her straight farm track walk, and most of the other ones we do are in the woods, so not great for long leads. We haven't "lost" her for quite a while. I think she may be maturing a bit She is a funny bod. Unless there is an enticement (deer or pheasant usually) she is constantly looking back to check I am keeping up : Funny how she then doesn't seem to notice me when she is in the "hunt zone". Although I suppose she knows exactly where I am, its just me that is in the dark!
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=6197.msg81276#msg81276 date=1400948677] I haven't used it for a while to be honest. She is much better on her straight farm track walk, and most of the other ones we do are in the woods, so not great for long leads. We haven't "lost" her for quite a while. I think she may be maturing a bit She is a funny bod. Unless there is an enticement (deer or pheasant usually) she is constantly looking back to check I am keeping up : Funny how she then doesn't seem to notice me when she is in the "hunt zone". Although I suppose she knows exactly where I am, its just me that is in the dark! [/quote] Apparantely dogs know we are upto 2 miles away I know this coz Charlie told me so ;D x
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=6197.msg81315#msg81315 date=1400952964] ;D I can believe it (the fact, not that Charlie said ) [/quote] ;D ;D
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Another fab tip we learnt today from Colin Rose (Bath dog trainer) is as soon as Benson looks up at us...ie: say his name...click..then treat, this way he learns that if we say his name..he will look to us. This I am sure will help enormously on the road to a good recall.Learnt loads today which hopefully will dovetail nicely into our gundog training. Amazingly within 20 seconds Colin managed to get Benson to jump into the back of the car....we had been trying for weeks he would just sit there or shy away.... ;D ;D Hubby is now converted to clicker training...so pleased! On the downside I talk to much..Colin very obviously took a few steps back before breaking the news...Hubby tried desperately to keep a straight face and failed miserably. On the way home I spotted another 2 bees in the car....
Re: Fun Recall Trick.. Sounds hugely productive So many people do not get that they have to mark the moment you get the attention. Most people do the opposite. They are walking along with their dog in silence. The dog makes a move away from them and then they speak to the dog. They reward (with attention) the dog's inattention. Instead you have to notice those moments when the dog looks at you or moves towards you and mark and reward those - notice and reward the behaviour you want
