Just not sure where this sits. So out for our normal early morning walk on the golf course. Vanilla is always off lead and goes and explores, we play hide and seek, training etc. Always have my whistle on all walks. Now we are moving into spring it is getting lighter in the morning. We are coming to the end of the walk on here until it gets colder again due to snakes. Anyhow nice walk this morning, whistle round my neck, raincoat on all done up. Coming to the end of our walk, getting nice and light. Next minute I see this fluffy thing running at a 100mph and Vanilla chasing doing 110mph across the fairway from one edge to the other. Where they where heading was down an embankment into shrubs and trees. I am there fumbling to get my whistle as quickly to my mouth and blow. Just managed to get 3pips out as she was heading down the embankment that was approx 40-50m away from where I was standing. Vanilla turned like a flash and came straight back. It cost me the whole small tupperware of Sardines in tomato sauce (2small ones). We have never trained against this, but am so proud of her. More care has to be take from now on as it is getting lighter...soon back to our summer walks along the esplanade in the morning amd beach or oval at night time.
Brilliant, and well done you for having emergency sardines It sounds like she responded instinctively to her trained response, but without adequate reinforcement, that could have dented for next time. As it was, you managed to pay handsomely for something that really deserved it. What a team
Yes she did, but I did have my doubts. Partly due to the new distraction and on top the distance. I do get plenty of comments when we are out and about regarding her recall and the interaction we have. Given this is my first dog it has involved plenty of training and hard work (more for me), but all starting to pay off. Plus I find the relationship I have with Vanilla I feel is second to none. Especially when I see other people out and about and their interaction. (Even if I am blowing my own trumpet when I talk to them about it. Plus I always carry sardines if it involves off lead). And this forum with all the people has been invaluable
Fantastic recall. Really fantastic. Well done Vanilla We FAILED with a rabbit chase yesterday. The rabbit was over a wall in a field, I did NOT expect it to be there - it was pouring with rain. Coco was playing a "find it" on top of the wall, the rabbit ran, Coco saw it and sprinted along the pavement - lead slipping out of my hand - along the main road! He stopped to have another look over the wall. I pipped. Nothing. So I legged it down the road, reached Coco. He turned to me and sat when asked, so I had to reward him. At least he didn't a) run into the road or b) jump over the wall.
