Cassie's Gundog training log

[Selina27]

A good session at gundog training yesterday. We played some games, a timed recall, timed retrieve in the bale alley, a timed search and in between jumping in and out of the box and practicing stop whistle, and going through the bale tunnel. Cass loved all those things, and I felt a little change in her attitude she was more willing to focus on me and less distracted by the other dogs, a very subtle shift and I hope it continues. Fastest recall was 7 seconds , Cassie was 8 seconds and there was a loose dog on the field, fastest over the bales was 7 seconds (same dog) Cassie 8 seconds!! Not that I'm competitive, no not at all!!
But the thing is, she was a hundred percent committed, no hesitation or deviation and it was so good to see. She enjoyed the search, I tripped over backwards as she was running back all I could shout was " did she cross the line with it?". Not competitive no, not me!!
I had the opportunity to discuss free running/hunting, and the upshot is that I've got to do it with her! Not exactly get amongst the brambles but actively encourage her to hunt -- the theory being that most of the time now she is being so "good" and staying with me that sometimes her overwhelming desire to hunt becomes just that, and she has to go. And really I can see that.
So the object of this is to teach her to hunt, and flush and STOP! Haha now that's going to be fun, but I will try!
Home work for this month is that, plus some scented searching ( particularly for Cassie) and teaching that the appearance of a dummy means sit calmly. I think we might be alright at that

 

[Charlie]

Your trainer sounds like such fun with all the games to get/keep your dog engaged. I like the idea of hunting with your dog which is easy for everyone to do. I will give this a go with Charlie IF I can KEEP UP with him! Well done girls a lovely positive read xx

 

[Joy]

Glad you're finding the classes helpful. You sound very optimistic which is lovely.

 

[Cath]

Lovely read, well done to you both

 

[kateincornwall]

I enjoyed reading your log , so good that you are enjoying it, both of you x

 

[Stacia]

Sounds sensible advice @Selina, though I haven't found it easy to hunt with a Labrador as they don't hunt like a German Pointer, now that was hunting and it was fun! Rourke actually came on point this afternoon outside a large holly bush, so I told him to get in and he flushed up a cock pheasant. I do let my Labs free, don't keep them close. The jumping in and out of the box, the hay bales the quick recalls, all sounded good fun and excellent training, you must have come away feeling positive and on a high.

 

[Selina27]

they don't hunt like a German Pointer, now that was hunting and it was fun

In what way do they differ?

 

[Stacia]

@Selina27 a GSP lives to hunt, they are 'hunt, point and retrieve' and the hunting part is usually strongest whereas my Labs are more keen to retrieve, they will hunt madly for the retrieve but but not usually the hedgerow and open fields for game with the same intensity. Rourke will hunt for pheasants but it isn't the be all and all. When I was out with the GSPs I would always know which way the wind was blowing and it is very exciting when they come on to point.

 

[Selina27]

Thanks @Jelinga , for Cassie hunting is strong. As you know I have had to work at the retrieve. That's the other thing that came out of Saturday, learning to work with the wind.

 

[Stacia]

Yes, having met Cassie @Selina27, her hunting is strong and not so interested in retrieving. I had a hard job getting the GSPs to be that interested in retrieving, so it was wonderful getting a Lab who loved it. You are lucky with Cassie, have the best of both worlds.

 

[Selina27]

You are lucky with Cassie, have the best of both worlds.

I am, my little ray of sunshine

 

[Selina27]

You sound very optimistic which is lovely.

Yes, you are right, I do feel very optimistic! It's actually very liberating to be told to let her hunt, it's what she's wired to do, so get in there and do it with her, instead of having that feeling of having failed in my training that, on occasion she wants to that more! And I love being out in the countryside with her, it's what really floats my boat.
That said I am full of trepidation as to how I'm going to teach stop in that setting, but time will tell, but at least I have a safe environment to do it in.

Lovely read,

I enjoyed reading your log

Thank you both, it's lovely to be able to keep a log and share it with others who are interested

 

[Stacia]

@Selina, I think you are expecting too much too soon, I am sure you will be able to teach her to stop in that situation, she is still very young. On the gun dog forum one chap said he had 60 years of owning and working dogs and he liked the fact that they were not perfect, it was more fun. I envy you the happy years you have ahead of training and working with Cassie, they were my happiest years x

 

[Charlie]

@Selina27 Could you use a place board to teach Cassie a 'stop' whistle? You can then move up the distance and eventually to more distracting environments. x

 

[Beanwood]

You have come such a long way with Cassie! Sounds like you are both coming into your own, working with Cassie's strengths and not against them. I am far more relaxed with Bramble than I used to to be. She can range some distance, and just loves to hunt! Now I just enjoy watching her. Actually working with her has taken things to another level, as well as my understanding and appreciation of her natural ability.

 

[Stacia]

@Selina27, don't forget that the stop whistle should be seen by the dog as something to help it. "Look at me and I will tell you what to do" so the dog really needs a reward for stopping, eg finding a retrieve or perhaps to go and hunt in the opposite direction of the temptation, rather than deny it hunting altogether.

 

[HAH]

Just caught up with your log @Selina27 , it’s such a lovely read - sounds like it’s really deepening your and Cassie’s relationship and great fun along the way!

 

[Selina27]

rather than deny it hunting altogether.

This is the nub of the issue, exactly the thing I want to work on. We discussed this whole topic as a group, but you know how it is, on the drive home you ponder on things and think "oh but, I should have asked such and such a question!"

don't forget that the stop whistle should be seen by the dog as something to help it.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

 

[Selina27]

it’s really deepening your and Cassie’s relationship

The highs and lows - gone from last week feeling like the worst dog trainer in the world and like I'd failed her, to this week her being the best thing ever!

 

[Selina27]

working with Cassie's strengths and not against them.

Exactly , I feel now I've got "permission" to do just that!