Re: This gundog lark... I do see the sense of that though, Angela. Often if the dogs start to play before the class, it is hard to get their concentration back again. So keep him on the lead before the class starts! Good luck, looking forward to hearing how it went.
Re: This gundog lark... I hope the trainer suits us - he won't see us for dust if nose bopping or anything like that is involved. But I think I was pretty clear on the phone, and he sounded as though he thought that was normal. Good luck, Angela! I have to say, we weren't a big success at puppy school at all. Charlie (and OH) got so bored with all the talking bits. I was very surprised to be given a certificate at the end of it! I think OH was worse than Charlie...
Re: This gundog lark... Interesting Karen, my favourite trainer to date lets the dogs meet before work starts and then at intervals through the day(these are 2 day training weekends). From a personal perspective I think Riley works better as a result because he's often desperate to meet other dogs but generally happy to leave them too so unmet dogs are a big distraction for him. The regular classes we've been to don't encourage dogs meeting but there's nothing stopping you letting your dog off on the way to and from the training area. I would say the unspoken rule is that you have your dog under control and some of the more serious people really don't want your pet pooch sticking his nose up the bum of their trials dog which is walking perfectly to heel. There's a lot of waiting your turn and watching but I guess that's what happens shooting especially for retrievers so it's kind of training too. I've been lucky that the trainers I've met with have embraced a more positive approach at least for their clients as that's what people want. How they train their own dogs may be a slightly different matter.... :
Re: This gundog lark... Well, we're off to training this evening, the first proper time for two months! Fingers crossed we haven't forgotten everything... And we have progressed from the young dogs' obedience class to proper Dummy Training... Very excited!! I'll report back and let you know how it goes. Julie, I hope too your trainer suits you. It really is important that you are on the same wavelength, I think. Barbara, I agree that the sitting and learning to wait their turn is good and important for the dogs - but it needs to be interspersed with action, otherwise it gets terribly boring (for the humans as well as the dogs! ). Regarding interacting with the other dogs - as far as I understand it, puppy classes tend not to encourage interaction before the class, because the pups find it hard to settle afterwards, and I can see the sense in that. But in our group, where the dogs all know each other, it is really nice for them to be able to have some 'down time' together after the class.
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=Karen link=topic=2459.msg24256#msg24256 date=1378302400] I agree that the sitting and learning to wait their turn is good and important for the dogs - but it needs to be interspersed with action, otherwise it gets terribly boring (for the humans as well as the dogs! ) [/quote] I agree I think class size is important to get the balance right. Hope your class goes well and you and poppy have a lovely, fun time
Re: This gundog lark... This all sounds like so much fun! I could only WISH I could do something like this....at this point I would be happy to get to the tennis ball launcher stage.... : : :
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=Lisa link=topic=2459.msg24258#msg24258 date=1378302981] This all sounds like so much fun! I could only WISH I could do something like this....at this point I would be happy to get to the tennis ball launcher stage.... : : : [/quote] You can, you can, you can ;D
Re: This gundog lark... so just had a call and we're off to see a new class ourselves this evening it's only just round the corner so fingers crossed it suits!
Re: This gundog lark... Hi Julie Hope you have lots of fun with your trainer . I had a gun dog trainer to my 2 when they were about 8 months. To be honest it was a bit of a waste of time. She came highly recommended. Her and husband do displays at country shows etc and pupils from their classes have won field trials so I thought I was on to a good thing. As I've mentioned in other posts my 2 are nervous of strangers so when she arrived , early before I was prepared, and came in the garden they started barking she started throwing leads at them ! ! Once I'd got them calm she informed me I had nervous dogs ! ! ! I don't see how throwing leads helps nervous dogs. With hindsight I should've asked her to leave then but when she said sit I looked for a chair if you get my drift. The reason I wanted a trainer was to advise me what to do , when and how much to expect from my dogs at differant stage. After she'd left I realised she hadn't really answered that for me. I don't want to worry you or anything Julie just fore warn you to know what you want to get out of the sessions you want your money's worth they know how to charge. Good luck enjoy it Jen
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=Jen link=topic=2459.msg24265#msg24265 date=1378305918] when she said sit I looked for a chair if you get my drift [/quote] I know what you mean, I've met some gundog people like that.....luckily no-one here ;D
Re: This gundog lark... I haven't tried group classes for gundog training, but Lady and I did have lessons on a one-to-one basis with a good (I think) trainer. It was mainly me that got benefit out of the sessions in that I found out what I should be doing and how to go about it. I never aspired to field trials and I ended up more at the really fun end of things with "that's near enough" training. We get by as a team, and we have a lot of fun and certainly I feel really chuffed when she does her stuff mainly from calling on her natural talent. I would say go for it, but in case that doesn't work out, enjoy it! 8)
Re: This gundog lark... Oh Jen I have a Trainer story that I never really got into on here....but I did ask her to leave.......when she kicked Dexter!!! in his own house ....there has never been anything and NEVER will be anything in his behavior that would make that acceptable to me.....the hilarious thing was.....I'd picked her up ,her car was off the road .....so a great punishment for HER was her walking down the road in 50 degree heat,looking for a taxi.....we aren't well provided for in that department in out neightbourhood ;D Puppy class was good ( it is actually an obedience class) and we were the youngest!!,well,Dexter was The first 15 minutes were a right off and we were definately the WORST in the class.....We were told nicely that it was not a Socialisation class and that the dogs were to keep to their own areas so they could improve their focus and concentration.Yay,Yay!yay!something I was really looking of....Improving dexters focus when other dogs are in the close proximity.After Dexter realised playing was not on and his death glare was not allowed,Dexter the Devil dog left the room and was replaced by my good boy......I did have a bit of a wobble when he was just pulling to get to the other dogs( only 3 others)and not looking at me,and he jumped up :-[ AND he's started barking ( although that was quite funny.....there was a 'barker' in the room.....Dex knows he gets told quiet after a few barks.......he was barking his head off with what looked like a big smile on his face ,just looking at me as if to say,'this place you've brought me to is just great Mum,they LET you bark!) The trainer was lovely she just said to me,he's excited ,not naughty.....he settled down and he did everything really well after that ..... Only basic I know to what you guys all get to do,but there is just nothing here for us.....and apart from this forum I do feel like its me and Dexter feeling our way on our own a lot of the time.( cue the violins he he he!)Cant wait to hear how all your classes and Training sessions are going.....share,share,share! X
Re: This gundog lark... It's so good to hear about everyone's experiences. Never fear, I am so overly protective of Charlie - I once told a vet off for plonking him too hard on the table - that if I've got any doubts, we're off. I take the warnings about dodgy gun dog trainers very seriously. But I am going in a positive frame of mind, and hoping it will be good. The posts have made me think what I'm trying to get out of this. It boils down to having an ambition to be able to train Charlie to play interesting games finding stuff. That's it, I think. And if we learn stuff along the way about walking nicely, staying in control with distractions, and continuing to polish up our recall, wonderful. I've packed my stuff in my breast cancer awareness black bag (the pink bows are small) instead of the my little pony satchel - I thought we'd try to look serious - made sure my landrover is good and muddy, and bought Charlie's favourite roast beef, medium-rare, he doesn't like his beef too well done. So, onwards to tomorrow, and a little podgy (slightly) clicker trained DFL (down from London) chocolate puppy meets West Country gundog trainer....
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=Dexter link=topic=2459.msg24270#msg24270 date=1378314970] Puppy class was good ( it is actually an obedience class) and we were the youngest! The trainer was lovely she just said to me,he's excited ,not naughty.....he settled down and he did everything really well after that ..... [/quote] That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out. What kind of things did you do / learn?
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=heidrun link=topic=2459.msg24284#msg24284 date=1378325584] Are you still in Cornwall, Julie, are you seeing a trainer down there? [/quote] Yes, in Cornwall.
Re: This gundog lark... Sounds like Dexter was brilliant, such a big step for them to take it all in and settle down
Re: This gundog lark... [quote author=heidrun link=topic=2459.msg24286#msg24286 date=1378326027] How did you find the trainer, did he come recommended? [/quote] I found him via the gundog trust website site, he is one of their approved trainers - I couldn't think of what else to do, so that seemed best. Hope it'll be ok, anyway.
