Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Well admittedly, I AM a lot of fun!! [quote author=Merla link=topic=10533.msg156152#msg156152 date=1428865657] stand still and silent with arms folded and no eye contact (he might continue and you might take a few nips, but no interaction from you will prevent accidental reinforcement the behaviour. My dog, for example, finds anguished shouts of 'no' highly reinforcing if this afternoon is anything to go by!) [/li][/list] [/quote] This has always been my method, however it is impossible to ignore. Like I said, he bit so hard he ripped my jeans yesterday. I try and try and try and he just steps it up till I can take no more bloodshed! Shouting/screaming makes no difference - if anything makes it more fun like you say.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Yeah, you're pretty much down to getting the hell out of there and putting a door between you! Wearing shin pads seems a bit desperate ;D ;D
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Shin pads??? Much to my 13yr old neighbour's delight earlier, he caught my... err... thingy... :-[ ???
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Looks like the full wicket-keeping garb is called for then ;D ;D ;D
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... James, I do sympathise....my nearly 4 year old springer Flora still does Mad Running in big loops when it's windy like today but teeth are no longer involved thankfully so full body armour no longer required! I do everything I can to distract from bonkers running and nip it in the bud asap...usually going straight back inside does the trick...clearly from her point of view I'm not playing ball literally or metaphorically! You are correct in saying that loads of exercise just makes a fit dog fitter and from the dogs point of view means you can never exhaust them as they are constantly upping the anti. I remember telling my gundog trainer that no matter what I did with Flora she was inexhaustible which meant she gave me no peace and was constantly doing anything to get my attention ...all rather wearing . As a solution my trainer advised me to hunt her from side to side, every now and again finding a toy I had surreptitiously placed to help give purpose, the reward being to set her hunting again. She said that 15 minutes of this was equivalent to an hours walk because the complexity of using its nose meant the doggy brain was hugely engaged and this would wear her out ..it was a breakthrough moment once I started doing this....she also said this is why spaniel owners get fat as all they need to do is walk forward really slowly while the dog covers masses of ground just going left to right and back again!
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... It is interesting that you mentioned that it was windy today. Molly has always been affected by the wind. Strange that, you wouldn't have thought a short haired dog would notice, but I suppose any creature with the receptors of the calibre of a dog would notice. All my dogs have been particularly sniffy after a hard frost.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... James, you said that you no longer want to go to the puppy classes, have you found anywhere else yet to go training? Have you looked into the Essex based gundog group?
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... [quote author=heidrun link=topic=10533.msg156234#msg156234 date=1428906435] James, you said that you no longer want to go to the puppy classes, have you found anywhere else yet to go training? Have you looked into the Essex based gundog group? [/quote] Yeah, they're on my to-do list! Robin Laud has also agreed to train us both up, but I need to wait till he's (Monty, not Robin!) is at least 6 months.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... I see that the Essex Spaniel Get Together are having their first training session this coming Sunday. You could always go along and watch them train and do a little bit of socialization with Monty.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... [quote author=heidrun link=topic=10533.msg156238#msg156238 date=1428908030] I see that the Essex Spaniel Get Together are having their first training session this coming Sunday. You could always go along and watch them train and do a little bit of socialization with Monty. [/quote] Good plan. You've spurred me on to contact them this morning. I may ask if I can pop along on Sunday too. Perfect opportunity. Thanks
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Have you got a crate in the back of your car? A whole morning of training will definitely be too much for your pup. If you can leave him in the car with the boot open so hat he can chill in the shade that will leave you free to watch others train without a fidgeting puppy at the end of the lead.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Contact made. If I don't get a response by lunchtime I'll phone them. I've asked if I can join in in the training. Yes, we have a crate in the car. He loves it!
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... Brilliant! I think it would be a great starting point for you and Monty.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... A quick update: we have been invited to attend the Essex Spaniel Get Together this coming weekend. The people are really nice and welcoming and totally understood where I was coming from. They said that whilst Monts is still a bit too young, to bring him along to meet the other (approx 90!) dogs and people and I can see the training and speak to the trainers. I don't even have to pay. They said just come along and enjoy it! Absolutely, totally, super stoked and excited! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... What good news! I'm sure you'll both get a lot out of it and having moral and experienced support when you have a spaniel is a really, really good thing. I speak from firsthand experience
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... [quote author=JAYMZ link=topic=10533.msg156368#msg156368 date=1428953217] A quick update: we have been invited to attend the Essex Spaniel Get Together this coming weekend. The people are really nice and welcoming and totally understood where I was coming from. They said that whilst Monts is still a bit too young, to bring him along to meet the other (approx 90!) dogs and people and I can see the training and speak to the trainers. I don't even have to pay. They said just come along and enjoy it! Absolutely, totally, super stoked and excited! ;D ;D ;D [/quote] and how does Monty feel about it? ;D ;D great news though and suspect that he'll sleep well after all the excitement.
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... I'm sure you'll find it really fun and immeasurably helpful!
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... That is good news! You sound really, really excited...(maybe a bit of crate time would help? 8) ;D )
Re: Today, I'm afraid the sun doesn't shine out of... That's fab. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. [quote author=JAYMZ link=topic=10533.msg156368#msg156368 date=1428953217] They said that whilst Monts is still a bit too young [/quote] The thing about dogs being a bit too young, is that yes, they are too young for structured training in group classes, but they are not too young to sort of get on the right road if you know what I mean. I spend half my time now listening to "he really should have learned that as a puppy"..."the early learning is so important"...."well, with an older dog....". I'm not sure experienced gundog trainers remember what it's like to have a first puppy. I swear, with my next pup, it's starting 121 gundog lessons at 8 weeks! ;D (Clicker based, positive only, of course).
