Thought id give an update on my progress with Hazel and Miller(http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=2588.0). We've done 7 working tests this year, met some fantastic people, and been to some amazing places. Our efforts and persistance has really paid off, we've been placed at six out of the seven tests. And thought I would share it with you guys as you've seen Hazel from six weeks old. there are other awards but I cant find the pictures golden
Re: moments to be proud of! Congratulations ;D I would love to do a working test but my dog has one problem which would give him a nought. he will put the dummy down out of water, quick shake, picks it up and delivers to hand. We had a good training day today and he did everything really well, except the water, it is so frustrating. I love the look of your dogs, especially the first photo
Re: moments to be proud of! [quote author=Stacia link=topic=6688.msg90294#msg90294 date=1403375856] Congratulations ;D I would love to do a working test but my dog has one problem which would give him a nought. he will put the dummy down out of water, quick shake, picks it up and delivers to hand. We had a good training day today and he did everything really well, except the water, it is so frustrating. [/quote] I think the work we did with the clicker means Riley is much less likely to drop and shake...we've only done one water session since but he was markedly improved, it might be worth a go if nothing else is helping
Re: moments to be proud of! Did you specifically do the clicker retrieve at water? Rourke delivers to hand everywhere else, but maybe if I clicker retrieve for a while this might strengthen his water retrieve? Thanks for the idea, will have a go.
Re: moments to be proud of! Thank you for all the comments, it all started with some books I got from Pippa Mattison which I am starting to read all over again for another pup!.I will have to go and have a look to tell you what each trophy is for,the one thing I did when trying to stop my dog dropping and shaking when training on water was to go in the water up to my knees so miller could walk to me but still in the water, he never shook while in the water. I just worked my way out the pond until I was a good distance from it!It worked for me. Golden
Re: moments to be proud of! [quote author=Stacia link=topic=6688.msg90300#msg90300 date=1403376716] Did you specifically do the clicker retrieve at water? Rourke delivers to hand everywhere else, but maybe if I clicker retrieve for a while this might strengthen his water retrieve? Thanks for the idea, will have a go. [/quote] I didn't break the retrieve down again at the water but I did take my clicker with me. I might be wrong but I think Riley's mindset has shifted, before he was going through a retrieve because running stuff down was fun and he figured if he gave it back to me he'd get another go but he's not crazily driven so another retrieve isn't as good as roast chicken. Now he's actively looking for approval which comes in the form of my unambiguous click and treat....which means he's actually looking at me and waiting for a positive outcome. Before his delivery rarely contained any eye contact, he was just kind of in the vicinity : It may be that more experienced heads than mine suggest that because it's perfect everywhere else it will come or there's some other trick you can use. All I can say is the clicker work, such that I've done, has made a positive impact at the water as well as on land
Re: moments to be proud of! Fantastic photos so proud of her trophies and you must be so proud too. Well done. ;D
Re: moments to be proud of! Thank you both (the Browns ;D) Unfortunately we don't have water I can walk into! I can see though that it is an excellent idea; I fell in the pond once :-[ Clicker training will be started tomorrow and I know a stream I can go to, can wade into that, but he doesn't get his ears wet in that which causes him to shake. But it may be an idea.
