Charlie is now 'retrieving' with enthusiasm but when we try the 'hunting' games I have been working on he is not interested on his walk I haven't had use of the paddock for a few months as Kim's horses are in them so I cannot train there. However, I have been giving the paddock some thought and wonder if it's had it's use now, since Charlie has been on a very long training line for 2 months to practise, practise and practise his recall he has become calm and I don't want him to think paddock = manic he doesn't have any manic behaviour in the garden either. How do I move the 'hunting' games on though, it's a difficult situation but we are keen to move on even a little :-\ Any suggestiones greatly received Thanks. x
Re: Hunting games in new areas are difficult Hi Heidrun, I do all my training on my driveway at the moment as too many distractions in our garden - neighbours darn CAT I get Charlie to sit/wait whilst I go and hide his ball/toy/dummy in hedges, under leaves, behind and on top of things, I then return to him get his focus on me and tell him "go get it" he then hunts around and when he is near the item I say "find it" he retrieves and brings it back I do plain retrieving too and just mix it all up with my stop whistle etc. every other day. Thanks
Re: Hunting games in new areas are difficult Do you mean that he won't hunt for the dummies or play the game anywhere else but the paddock ? Just so I understand what the issue is
Re: Hunting games in new areas are difficult I can't use the paddock at the moment (it's my neighbours but her horses are in there now) so all training on our driveway, Charlie will not play hunting games on his walk
Re: Hunting games in new areas are difficult When I struggle with retrieving in a new area I get the dog very excited about its dummy and then I throw a few dummies allowing the dog to chase in a very undisciplined manor and then I start introducing the control again over the next few periods of work or exercise. When I'm really struggling I use a full pheasant pelt dummy which my dogs find irresistible
Re: Hunting games in new areas are difficult Thanks we will give that a go, although I ohly have 1 dummy as only just introduced, but I can use some other favourites . Tried a rabbit dummy ONCE frightened the life out of me what he did to it , now in the cupboard until I am brave enough to try again, so don't think I will be trying a pheasant pelt any time soon
