Charlie lands on the dummy like a mad thing - in a crash of over shoot, and a mad scramble to get back. He often ends up kicking it, which is great fun as then he can pounce on it again. (Scent tracking as a hobby is getting more and more attractive for this dog.... ;D ;D ;D) Any tips or thoughts? ( On a quiet clicker retrieve, he picks it up perfectly, of course. So that's not the answer. )
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Put it in cover or up against a hedge so he has to think about how to get it and it probably involves slowing down ;D
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... I do the cover one - it usually works (although he is amazingly good at seeing where a dummy has landed in cover and diving to the exact spot), as does putting it behind a log. But it doesn't make any difference when he can see it. He doesn't seem to change his behaviour in other circumstances. I'll try the hedge a bit more though...
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Maybe some more complex memories......anything that makes him have to stop and think before he gets there. Can you get some fat pipe to put the dummy in so he has to reach in and get it or put it in a bucket? Can you tell these are all just random thoughts...... ;D
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Might be random thoughts - but a bucket is a very good idea, I think! Might also help that he can't see the dratted dummy inside it. Hope he doesn't pick up the bucket, but I'll give it a go. Picking up the bucket is just the kind of thing he would do - my target cones are now lost somewhere in the middle of putney cemetery..
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Put a really big stone in it too Or put the dummy on top of something so it's head height, something too small to jump on though
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Good idea from BB above, you can also buy heavy dummies to represent the weight of a hare, that might help. Sporting Saint has them. His enthusiasm at the moment might just be due to the joy of youth and you will find he will become more sensible as he ages. My Lab used to shake the dummy like a rat, but doesn't do it any more.
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Good idea. 1 x bucket. 1 x brick for bucket. 1 x placeboard. 3 x dummies. 2 x tennis balls. 2 x treat bags (one for small treats, one for large), tug toy, whippit stick... Charlie needs a porter.... [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7631.msg106608#msg106608 date=1409734024] My Lab used to shake the dummy like a rat, but doesn't do it any more. [/quote] Here's hoping...
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7631.msg106608#msg106608 date=1409734024] you can also buy heavy dummies to represent the weight of a hare, that might help. [/quote] I'm using 1lb dummies. I have a 2lb one. I wonder if that would make a difference to anything. How much does a hare weigh? About, obviously.
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... http://www.sportingsaint.co.uk/product/671 I went on the site to see how heavy it might be, but it doesn't say! I know that my Lab had to retrieve one at a training class and it is heavy. Charlie may still leap on it initially until he realises he has to think about how to pick it up and carry as it is weighted both ends with a soft middle.
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... I love the description of Charlie jumping on his dummy with such delight!! You can't fault his enthusiasm, at least!! ;D
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Lochan is a canvas dummy pouncer (actually I love the joyfulness of it) but not a hexabumper, dokken duck or game pouncer. I've tried very heavy canvas dummies but she still pounces at them. I think the advice about hiding the dummy in a bucket or pipe is sound so that he can't actually pounce on it - this works for Lochan, but the minute the dummy is back in a pouncable position she's off again. With Lochan it seems a combination of zest for living, the dummy material and triumph at having found it - sounds very like Charlie in this respect! Does he do it with the hexabumper?
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... [quote author=Karen link=topic=7631.msg106629#msg106629 date=1409738879] You can't fault his enthusiasm, at least!! ;D [/quote] No...that's true. : [quote author=Lochan link=topic=7631.msg106630#msg106630 date=1409739674] Does he do it with the hexabumper? [/quote] Yes, he does it with everything. Even a tennis ball. I think it is directly related to his excitement level. The less excited he is, the less he does it. There is one dummy - a very, very, light, small, puppy dummy - that is more boring than the rest and he sometimes is more casual about picking up that one. Unless I've done something really ridiculously exciting like throw it. :
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7631.msg106637#msg106637 date=1409741972] Unless I've done something really ridiculously exciting like throw it. : [/quote] Outrageous......what's a dog to do with excitement like that floating around ;D Love you Charlie x
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7631.msg106609#msg106609 date=1409734139] ... Charlie needs has a porter.... [/quote] Fixed your post Harvey is very similar on the dummy front - 0-60 faster than a Ferrari on the initial run, and then two or three gazelle-like leaps on the final approach, followed by the eventual pounce and pick-up. Another one with enthusiasm aplenty [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7631.msg106582#msg106582 date=1409729277]... my target cones are now lost somewhere in the middle of putney cemetery... [/quote] This made me laugh. Harvey is trying to throw ours, like some canine equivalent of a discus event, over the fence and into the neighbours garden! That'll give them something to puzzle over ;D
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... ;D ;D ;D Thanks UB, made me smile. Go Harvey! I doubt all those Viszlas are doing any better.... :-\
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... sorry no advice as I am strictly amateur at this gundog stuff but your post made me smile as Brods does the same...in fact he also likes to do a sliding tackle into dummies. Just mirrors his generally excited approach to life really . Makes me smile, but I wont be working him...though we are going hopefully going to gun dog sessions over winter just for fun but I dread the response from the trainer ;D
Re: Pouncing on the dummy... Well, you've just got to enjoy their zest for life really! ;D ;D ;D [quote author=debsie link=topic=7631.msg107078#msg107078 date=1409865589] I dread the response from the trainer ;D [/quote] Wear sparkly trousers, don't wear anything that is green (my wellies are purple), and buy your gundog stuff in pink. It's a bit of a rebellious statement, but I find it helped. ;D ;D ;D
