Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Ah....have cuddled my pup for 3 hours...good job he is a fully trained cuddle pup! Thanks to OH who had the foresight to invest time in cuddle training when I was messing about with recall and stop whistle! ;D ;D ;D Was feeling a bit bad about not being able to walk round the duck pond without stopping... When I remembered posting this: [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3952.msg46781#msg46781 date=1389634843] So, we got out in the pupmobile tonight. I can't say it went well. We walked half way across a small field, and back to the car. It took 30 minutes. He went nuts. I had my wonderful, wonderful, sensible and experienced dog walker with me and thank goodness. We had to take it in turns to hold him (he was on his thick, padded, back fastening harness, of course - again, and thank goodness). I honestly don't think I've seen a dog so badly behaved on a lead before. Anyway, we weren't really walking. We were progressing forward in the time it took us to stop and stand still. At the very end, we managed 3 x 10 steps of loose lead walking, with a cheese lure. Part of me wants to cry at such dismal progress, and part of me is happy that we managed something at the end. Honestly, you would have thought this dog hadn't had one minute of training in his life. [/quote] Okay....! Progress!
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie For sure You're doing brilliantly. Cuddling is a very advanced skill. There should be titles for it. CD - Cuddle Dog CDX - Cuddle Dog Excellent CDCh - Cuddle Dog Champion IntChCD - International Champion Cuddle Dog etc.
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie We know he'd rather be running round a beach... :'( But in the meantime, "keep him quiet for 8 weeks" doesn't seem too bad. ;D ;D ;D On his kong TV bed in reach of cuddles from both sides: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97932779@N08/13326810643/ Right, gotta go - 10 minutes round the block, then leg massages to do. :
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Aww...he is so very "smoothable", isn't he? So happy to hear my smoothing being used, its so much nicer than stroke ;D ;D ;D Bless Charlie x
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Oh what the heck have I done , sorry Jacqui , I meant to write my own post not jump into yours , senior moment :
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie He He.... I did think......did I write that? But yes......its a lovely expression!
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Now that's the life! Happy puppy and people, all is well with the world....
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Well, it's been a lovely weekend with him (still have him tomorrow but I'm working, so OH in charge). He is off painkillers now, and very nearly as good as when he was on them. Just once we noticed he was a bit stiff getting up, and I can still see he slightly favours his good leg. I can see it most clearly at a stand - there is more weight on the foot of his good leg. His hydro proper starts next week though and this will help shift his weight onto his recovering leg. His muscle is coming back, but still not there yet obviously. In terms of his behaviour, he is a bit worse on his lead than before the 4 weeks of crate rest, but this improves throughout the day. Although he is doing 50 minutes on lead, this is still split into 5. After his 3rd and 4th walk he is noticeably quieter. Poor thing, he is always so reluctant to turn for home at the end of these little outings! Nothing else we can do but play quiet games, cuddle and keep him company for the rest of the day. :'( He was whining in the car on Friday, when he could see the off lead dogs at the duck pond, and we were having trouble parking. I think this was frustration. So some cause for concern that we have a whining habit developing linked to frustration. I am wondering what I'll have off lead though. He is clearly massively frustrated not being allowed to say hello to other dogs, and I can still barely get his attention when he is on lead when there are other dogs around, let alone off it. Or do you think the whole situation is just different off lead? We had some success yesterday sitting nicely while a young spaniel went by, but those successes are few and far between. I really feel for him. Such a young dog being asked to be quiet for so long now! It's 4 weeks tomorrow, so half way through the first critical risk period. I think after that we'll be able to have him on a long line for few minutes so he can have a bit more freedom - not sure how to go about that yet though.
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Julie , I do honestly believe that this is because he can see others off lead and he isnt . I`d be mad to try and tell you that once off lead again, he will behave in a quiet calm manner because of course he wont , but this is where a long line will really come in handy whilst Charlie gets used to the off lead situation again and you can work on recall off lead again . He is a clever lad and wont have forgotten everything , will just need some reminding Pleased that you have all had a lovely time together, he is doing remarkably well
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Yes, I think it's going to be critical to use a long line, and have a plan! I reckon I should treat him like an adult dog never let off lead before, and work through the steps (hopefully it'll be a bit quicker as he once had a good recall) .
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Yes , good plan , sort of back to basics , I had to do this with Mills , he will be just fine Julie I know
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie Thanks, Kate - I know you can tell I'm having an anxious moment! After the absconder I had as a kid, I worked on Charlie's recall. Even if the rest of our performance was distinctly so-so, we had worked at recall. But, yes. I just need a plan - be silly not to, I've no choice but to take it slow, as that's mandatory anyway. 2 months will easily be enough time to re-establish good habits in a dog that used to be ok, I hope.
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie So glad you have had a good weekend with him . I have started using a long line when I go to places where there might be lots of children and it has made a difference and made it less stressful for me and I'm sure that it's been better on Harley as she picks up on how I'm feeling. I'm sure with all your meticulous planning it won't be long before you have the old Charlie back when off lead
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie [quote author=Naya link=topic=4619.msg62980#msg62980 date=1395584899] I have started using a long line when I go to places where there might be lots of children and it has made a difference and made it less stressful for me and I'm sure that it's been better on Harley as she picks up on how I'm feeling. [/quote] When you say you are using a long line...are you training recall with it, or just using it as a sort of extendable lead? If you are training, what is your technique? I have been fishing round for some good videos, as I've never used a long line. So far I've seen 2 different techniques. In one the line was described as being used as a sort of correction for disobeying (ignoring the recall) by flicking the line, the other to get the dog's attention and the recall command repeated. I have to say, I have no doubt at all that Charlie would obey his recall in all of the situations shown in these videos. :-\. Mainly empty fields or bushes and barking dogs as distractions :. As always, I want to see a video of someone training in the middle of the dogs, joggers, bikes, kids of Wimbledon Common! Back to Total Recall...but so want a realistic video!
Re: Lovely Chocolate Charlie I've been training recall with it and using as an extendable lead : Just having the lead trailing on the ground if there's not a lot around - if she ignores me I can easily pick up the lead which means she has to come back as she can't go any further. If there are lots of children about I keep hold of it so she can run infront a bit, but I have some degree of control and can get her back easier. I hope that makes sense :
