Ages ago I bought a small ish space hopper squeaky ball for £2, I got it out a week ago, Charlie loves it and it's always with him even in his bed, so today I thought hang it lets see what happens if I take him into the garden which is pretty long and throw it as far as I can, Charlie really excited ran after it I ran back inside and he came in at full speed to find me and dropped the space hopper into my hands for a big treat. We did this 4 times and he returned each time. That is the first time I have ever been able to hold his attention off lead from running around the garden and retrieve, he was looking at the hopper and jumping up at my side for it Of course next week he will probably be bored with it but I will enjoy it while it lasts. Charlie is an odd ball : xx
Re: Space Hopper Ball Woohoo, you go Charlie well done Hopefully this will continue for more than a week
Re: Space Hopper Ball Brilliant well done Charlie. ;D Slowly the garden looses its magic power. Maybe you could try and find a couple more toys that Charlie loves as much as his space hopper. Cheapy ones or it could cost a fortune. :. Then switch them about before their novelty wears off.
Re: Space Hopper Ball That sound great! Helen, what about whipit as a game he might not get so bored with quickly? Ok, it might be a mad idea, but if what floats your Charlie's boat is chasing stuff why not play a game involving chasing stuff? You can get small whipit sticks to use as a reward for a recall on a walk. And that's what you want to do, isn't it? Have a game to keep him occupied and focused on you on a walk? Maybe another game instead of fetch would work...
Re: Space Hopper Ball Julie, dare I ask what a whipit stick is or do I need another forum? ;D Yes all I dream of and would be so thankful for is finding something to keep Charlie occupied on a walk, it would make all the difference in the world to all of us x
Re: Space Hopper Ball [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=7307.msg101255#msg101255 date=1407873574] Charlie is such a character. I see him as "the lovable rogue" of the gang [/quote] Lovable rogue or 'naughty boy'. Thanks Jac xxx
Re: Space Hopper Ball [quote author=charlie link=topic=7307.msg101257#msg101257 date=1407873694] Julie, dare I ask what a whipit stick is or do I need another forum? ;D [/quote] ;D ;D ;D It's a horse lunge whip with an interesting toy on the end that you swing round (keeping the toy low) and let the dog catch it after a chase. You build up control with the reward being the toy goes "live" again. You stop the game by the toy going "dead". Charlie and I are still learning it. (Charlie doesn't mind the game stopping though, as he settles down to chew the toy...so we're trying to get over that). It's all about control. Learning to chase on command. Learning to wait on command. Learning to follow a cue when excited. It's not a wild, frantic thing - but there is plenty of movement and excitement of course. There isn't much written about it, although there is a getting started guide on "learning about dogs" website - apparently. I haven't found it yet. Here is Otter the Collie playing it (Otter's owner has already posted this photo elsewhere so feel ok about posting it here P8080761 by julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Re: Space Hopper Ball OK thank you I wonder would a stick with an interesting toy tied on with elastic do the trick :-\ x
Re: Space Hopper Ball Well, I'm not sure I'd use elastic, but yes, I think people make them. I'll see whether I can find the guide.
Re: Space Hopper Ball Thanks . I seem to remember Barbara using something similar on her residential training with Riley a few months ago, but can't remember what it was, hopefully she will be along to tell all x
Re: Space Hopper Ball We used a toy on a string to practice recall away from. I think a whipit stick game involves using the game as a reward which is a bit different to what we were doing. I've heard of spaniel people using it to teach steadiness to flush and I'm coming across them more and more on the positive gundogs Facebook group Not sure I'd use elastic either. I've heard of lunge whips, fishing rods and plastic pipe and sort ring being used. One person likened them to the kind if toy you'd make to play with a cat ;D
Re: Space Hopper Ball Great news that Charlie likes his space hopper ball and brings it back to you. ;D
Re: Space Hopper Ball Oh well as predicted space hopper ball now lost in the garden as Charlie has lost interest after 2 days of playing at retrieving, I have given it my best shot for 3 YEARS so I b….y give up :'(
Re: Space Hopper Ball Sorry about that, Helen. You don't have much to lose by trying another game - tug, perhaps?
Re: Space Hopper Ball [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7307.msg101694#msg101694 date=1408036771] Sorry about that, Helen. You don't have much to lose by trying another game - tug, perhaps? [/quote] I'm not sure I really have the energy any more Julie, he is just not interested in anything I know I said I wouldn't give up and keep going but I think enough is enough now as I have done tug and just everything I can think of etc. etc. etc. I simply have a non retriever as unbelievable as that is with a Lab x Pointer
Re: Space Hopper Ball He gets the no retrieving from the Pointer side Don't give up, just leave it a month or two, he may well get excited about something. I think if you exhibit total disinterest in his retrieving, he will start to pick things up again. Have a rest for yourself ;D He does sound so much better in other ways, much improved.
