Today was our first class gundog session, with just two other people. It took several tries for me to get Molly to 'stay' but she did in the end, though a shorter distance and time than the others. The awful bit was when I let her off lead for a retrieve - she just collected the dummy and proceeded to race around the field. I just could not get her to come back - she was teasing me with the dummy wanting to be chased. I felt very embarrassed, especially as I felt I was holding up the others. In the end the trainer decided the others should carry on and when one of the others went for their retrieve Molly ran up to it and I was able to get her back on the lead. Later we did some in an enclosed lane, which were not too bad. At the time I just felt hugely embarrassed but now I also feel a bit disappointed that the trainer wasn't able to give me any other strategies for getting Molly to come back - other than running away, sounding excited. I don't especially want a working dog - I've decided to do this in the hopes that next winter I won't have the problems I've had this winter with Molly grabbing dead seagulls and running off with them. The star of the class was a standard poodle (complete with lion cut) who worked really well and is apparently almost ready for her grade 1 test. The trainer was very nice and reminded me Molly is only 8 months old so I will persevere for a couple of months and then see how it's going.
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class You are far from the only one to experience this! It's rife at our gundog club, particularly on windy days, or if there's anything else geeing them up! Merla's done that too (normally she might take the opportunity for a hoolie if she's bored and another dog 'breaks' but is generally ok for retrieves). I stuck her on a long line for the next couple of sessions, and it was a big reassurance to me (you're right, it is embarrassing, I didn't like being in that position) and seem to get her on track again. Worth a try? Also, make sure your pockets are full of good treats!!! 8 months, by the way, has to be pretty much the peak for this kind of behaviour!
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Sorry today wasn't too good for you I agree that being 8 months old is a testing time (and 9 months!). Maybe put her on a long line as suggested by Merla might help? I'm sure once she gets used to it she will be more cooperative
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Oh we've all been there. I well remember going to gundog training classes when Tarka was 14 months and Lochan 8 months. OH was handling Tarka, I was at the other end of the line of dogs with Lochan. All went well with Lochan's retrieve and she patiently stood and watched all the other dogs retrieve but when it was Tarka's turn Lochan was so excited to watch that she started emitting a high-pitched shriek which became known to everyone as her "Pekingese Fighting Whine". Standing there bright red in the face as everyone slowly turned and incredulously stared at Lochan was one of the more embarrassing moments of my life. Thankfully this was her one and only whining effort - cured by not having both dogs at the same class. We had to stop taking both anyway because every time OH sent Tarka out for a retrieve she returned the dummy to me...as far as returning the dummy to you is concerned, have you tried to clicker train the retrieve at home? It can help a lot with the return/delivery.
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Don't give up ;D Rome not built in one day and you're doing this for fun not to win the next IGL Championships. I read in a book the phrase "it's only behaviour" and i'm going to try to remember this and not get as embarrassed as i normally do. i'm awful for getting embarrassed and then the dog feels it. it sounds a bit too simplistic as a phrase but i do find it helpful. next week it'll be the poodle who mortifies her owner. no one's ever perfect.
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Oh Joy , I feel your pain : At Sams first lesson ( he was nine months old ) he was a shocker, just got throughly excited and showed me up something rotten , take heart, they do get the hang of what its all about, eventually . I found it much easier to bite the bullet and have 1-1 lessons at first , it took a lot of temptation away , keep the faith
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Hey - don't feel bad - at our last lesson somehow the wind got up ALL the dogs' tails - and they all started charging around!! They are two years old and should know better!! Eight months is VERY young. Please don't feel bad. As one trainer said to me after a particularly awful session - a training session where nothing goes wrong is not a training session.
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Karen is absolutely right.....if you don't need training, you don't need to go to classes! Keep with it, things will get better
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Today is your victory over yourself of yesterday, I quote I heard often in a different discipline but it always stuck in my mind. The other was tomorrow it'll be funny. Hey, it's all fun; I've lost count of the number of times my dog(s) have deliberately and in cahoots with their doggie mates, have plotted to make me look a fool. I'm sure the dogs all have a laugh between themselves afterwards. Next week it'll be someone else's turn!
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class [quote author=Lochan link=topic=5970.msg77277#msg77277 date=1400086299] Oh we've all been there. I well remember going to gundog training classes when Tarka was 14 months and Lochan 8 months. OH was handling Tarka, I was at the other end of the line of dogs with Lochan. All went well with Lochan's retrieve and she patiently stood and watched all the other dogs retrieve but when it was Tarka's turn Lochan was so excited to watch that she started emitting a high-pitched shriek which became known to everyone as her "Pekingese Fighting Whine". Standing there bright red in the face as everyone slowly turned and incredulously stared at Lochan was one of the more embarrassing moments of my life. Thankfully this was her one and only whining effort - cured by not having both dogs at the same class. We had to stop taking both anyway because every time OH sent Tarka out for a retrieve she returned the dummy to me...as far as returning the dummy to you is concerned, have you tried to clicker train the retrieve at home? It can help a lot with the return/delivery. [/quote] I am so sorry, but laughed out loud at the "Pekingese Fighting Whine"....not doubt I will be equally red-faced at our gun dog lesson this weekend as our 7 month old pup has remarkably decided to forget EVERYTHING!
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class 8 months old and running off with dummy, that sounds about right. Been there got the 'Tee shirt'. 1. Do not at any time give chase, if fact ignore the dog turn and walk away if she comes past walk the other way. 2. have another dummy in your hand and wave it to get her attention, when she approaches do not give it till she hands the other back, in fact do a swap. 3. try it in the back yard or garden where she cannot get past you.
Re: Naughty behaviour at gundog class Thank you all for your kind and reassuring comments. I've got a long line so I'll take that next week and I'll practise at home. I'll try to get a second dummy too. The poodle really was quite something - apparently she wins in the show ring too!
