Ahhhh we've got our silver test tomorrow and as dog class hasn't been on for the past few week, I've been doing most of the training at home with Bella. There's only 2 exercises I'm thinking we might not pass and it is food manners and being called from distractions i.e. dogs!!. I'm going over the 'leave it' command at the minute with success but suppose I need to get that in before she even approaches the person with the food!! Also, walking her over to a group of dogs letting her off lead close by and calling her to me is erm..........unlikely ha!! plus I don't think I've really practiced it enough Any tips??? Someone said walk her over, turn her to face you and put her in a sit , then release the lead and call her quickly? That still counts as a pass apparently. I thought we might as well give it a go anyway!!! I also need to swot up on my questions On another note, I've set up a local dog meet up group in my area on Face Book and now have 55 members and weekly meets are happening, its great socialisation for all of the dogs and lots of fun, plus means training opportunities a plenty
Good luck with your test.....I only did the Bronze level,I didn't really like the Trainer so didn't go back..... I'd have struggled with distractions from other dogs....I'm only now getting a bit of practice in at the dog park. Good on you setting up a dog group,wow 55 dogs ! I guess you wouldn't want them ALL to be turning up at the same play date......
Ha ha, no 11 turned up last week and that was ok!!! Lets hope there is no sausage for the taking tomorrow or we are DOOMED!! The trainer is really nice, so that's makes a big difference, shame for you, maybe you might try somewhere else? I don't think we will pass but I'm going to be positive!!! its hard when there's lots of new dogs she hasn't met before around!!
PS the dog group came about after a fall out with a lady in the park shouting at me about 'people like me' making her kids scared of dogs... Bella was just walking close by so I ranted on our community page and got lots of interesting responses which led to a doggie 'take over the park'
Good luck! You are not allowed to use treats during the test, but rub your fingers with a smelly treat and it works just as well
If I had to get a recall away from dogs overnight, when I hadn't proofed my normal recall for that, I think I'd do it by heavily and ridiculously rewarding a new word. Say "eureka" 100 times (spread through the time you have) and give him a super treat. And then hope it works once tomorrow....
Haha, I love this! Good luck to you tomorrow! I failed at calling Shadow away from another dog this morning. One of his friends, a little border collie the same age. I could tell he really wanted to come to me, staring at me and making small movements in my direction, but for some reason, he wouldn't walk past her, so just sat down and looked pleadingly at me instead. Daft mutt. Eureka sounds like the best recall word ever. I'm making a "magic word" with "sausage tree". I can see it now, on one of these serious tests.... "Sausage tree, Willow!!" ...
Good luck I am sure it will go better than you thought. Megs did, she was great but I was dreading it. I took her for a long busy walk before so she was weary and all "chatted out". I think it really helped. Lets us know how you get on and we will cross our paws for you
Good luck!! I'm just picturing all of these people walking around shouting "eureka" and "sausage tree" haha (although "eureka" would have been a great one for toileting rather than "weeeeees").
Whoooooooo we passed!!!! 1 hr 50 minutes though it was tough and Bella did so well. 'Eureka' didn't fully work , they let her do it again as first time she was just so excited she kept running around the room towards dogs and people ... There were 5 other dogs and loads of adults ... I thought we had failed but they were kind and let us do it again and she did me proud!!! Eureka jumping up and down and generally being crazy got her to follow me I would post a picture but not sure how!!
Ps she sat right in front of the lady eating a biscuit and responded to 'leave it' she didn't even attempt a grab or sniff !!
