Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5756.msg73718#msg73718 date=1399240413] I think that if you followed that plan then Charlie would go bonkers or you would go bonkers or, more likely, you would both go bonkers. I think that if you're going to have a 'walks are work' approach in which Charlie needs to be always under instruction then the work would need to be based around hunting, which is what he loves. Hunting is the high value reward. That is the approach that Heidrun has advocated in the past. I know that you don't want to go down that road, which I understand. [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=5756.msg73613#msg73613 date=1399227331] I risk-manage. That's how I deal with dodgy recall. Not ideal, but my compromise [/quote] This is what I would do too. On-lead walking with off-lead in safe areas is really not that bad..... [/quote] Charlie and I are already bonkers and frustrated as hell!! It's not that we don't want to take the controlled hunting route it's just very, very difficult to get Charlie to do this in a controlled manner and under instruction. There are no safe areas to walk in off lead where we live that's why it's so hard, and we are rapidly reaching the "to hell with it" attitude and risking him off lead as really life is just too short to micro manage a dog which is what it's become
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE Well, I have very limited experience in all this, but in reading your posts and knowing some of the history and frustrations you have had with this dog, this is what I would do: 1) Continue with the retrieving work, dummies, balls, whatever works. 2) work extra-hard on stop whistle. If you can't prevent him from taking off from you in the first place, why not focus on stopping him before he gets too far? 3) while on walks use dummies, balls, (maybe a variety) to keep him focussed 4) Why not try going on a off-leash walk with the two dogs together? Maybe after all this work you've put in with him coupled with being with Hattie who stays close to you, he might just surprise you (in a good way, this time :)? I dunno. I agree that you can only do so much and only go so far in terms of training, and I think you have gone a lot further than 99% of people would have when faced with Charlie's level of challenge. I have so much admiration for you and David, Helen, I really hope you can get to the point where you can enjoy going for walks with this dog. I have massive sympathy for you, I really wonder how things will go with Simba this summer, so I certainly have a teeny bit of understanding on the challenges involved. We are all rooting for you, and know that you are doing your best and will continue to do so.
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE I've read everything Helen,out of my depth this one......but just wanted to let you know I was keeping up xxx
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=Dexter link=topic=5756.msg73756#msg73756 date=1399264072] ... out of my depth this one...[/quote] Me too. Harvey is our first dog and we're just picking up what we can as we go (and I certainly never appreciated how much there was to learn - for me, not for Harv!) What I do know, from reading various posts, is that: 1. You have a determination to succeed that would be the envy of a professional sportsman. 2. This determination has enabled you to make tremendous progress. 3. You love Charlie and, whatever his transgressions, he loves you. 4. GoTo step 1 and repeat
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=UncleBob link=topic=5756.msg73787#msg73787 date=1399276726] [quote author=Dexter link=topic=5756.msg73756#msg73756 date=1399264072] ... out of my depth this one...[/quote] Me too. Harvey is our first dog and we're just picking up what we can as we go (and I certainly never appreciated how much there was to learn - for me, not for Harv!) What I do know, from reading various posts, is that: 1. You have a determination to succeed that would be the envy of a professional sportsman. 2. This determination has enabled you to make tremendous progress. 3. You love Charlie and, whatever his transgressions, he loves you. 4. GoTo step 1 and repeat [/quote] Hi Uncle Bob, you are a rare man indeed, you have just made me cry a lot reading your comments :'( :'( :'( Thank you so much for seeing in me what I don't xxx
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE I second UBs post too Helen. Cant add much either Helen as I dont have the experience but as the owner of another strong Hunter i always understand where you are...just to say though that while i understand why the trainer might not like ball chasing, brodick chases his ball in the park now, and its made him stop wanting to chase squirrels. We have had two occassions where he has been charging to get his ball and has seen a squirrel running in the distance but has chosen to run back to me with his ball instead of chasing. So Id say keep with the ball, it took brods a while to get hooked but he is now....and he was absolutely obsessed with hunting squirrels and has a hugely high prey drive...i dont want to treat him like a working dog either, hes a Fundog, but we do spend about an hour of his hour forty main walk doing ball work or finding dummies in areas where there isnt so much fur and feather knocking about - ts one very long retrievathon with him and cuillin taking turns - but there are bits of his walk where he has no interest in doing anything other than hunt as its too pheasanty and in those situations he just goes on lead, and its managing time. Ive decided thats the best way for us becsuse like you I cant seem to get to the controlled hunting stage....anyhoo, none of this is particularly helpful but as ever just wanted to let you know Im with you on this
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5756.msg73836#msg73836 date=1399284531] We all see it, Helen. [/quote] "Hear, Hear!"
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=5756.msg73920#msg73920 date=1399297601] [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5756.msg73836#msg73836 date=1399284531] We all see it, Helen. [/quote] "Hear, Hear!" [/quote] xxxx :-[ xxxx
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=charlie link=topic=5756.msg73935#msg73935 date=1399300597] [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=5756.msg73920#msg73920 date=1399297601] [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5756.msg73836#msg73836 date=1399284531] We all see it, Helen. [/quote] "Hear, Hear!" [/quote] xxxx :-[ xxxx [/quote] Amen!!
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE You and Charlie have a lot of people on here on your side, Helen. I think you are amazing!
Re: 'Mega Plan' from our Trainer - Advice PLEASE [quote author=Karen link=topic=5756.msg74101#msg74101 date=1399324284] You and Charlie have a lot of people on here on your side, Helen. I think you are amazing! [/quote] I am very lucky to have you all on my side to keep me going (David too!). Thank you Karen for your lovely words xx
