Future Chocco Boy (Welcome Hugo Bear! )

Kelsey

Kelsey

Today was an exhausting day. Hugo seems to have decided to forget his name and the cue ‘come’ testing me and running the opposite direction or flat out not acknowledging me at all. Sure wish I could use higher reward treats besides just kibble 😔. I try to make myself very exciting by making noises and running from him a bit to try and make him want to chase me, and squeaking and tossing toys, but no luck today! Any other advice would be appreciated! 😇

I remember going through this with Axel so I’m trying not to let my inner thoughts of ‘he hates me and will never listen to me’ win but it’s hard on my exhausted brain 🤪
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Kelsey&Axel said:
I’m trying not to let my inner thoughts of ‘he hates me and will never listen to me’ win but it’s hard on my exhausted brain 🤪
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Definitely not this!

Without a doubt one of the best things I did with Cass as a small puppy was "about turn walks". Just put her down on the ground off the lead and walked about changing direction so it was up to her to figure out where I was and therefore her safe place . (Or so she thought then :rofl:) Obviously not to the extent that she became frightened, never actively hiding from her at that tiny stage. Not near traffic or any other danger, not that you would do that Kelsey.

A lot of other advice that I read said to make yourself the most interesting thing, but for me that was hard because I was never going to top the excitement of the wider environment - pheasants/hare/rabbits , she was never interested in balls or toys outside of the garden. It's taken years of playing all the +R games to get close to that! But throughout her wild youth even if her recall wasn't 100% whiplash she always knew where I was and was centred on me, I knew it.

Hope this makes sense, hard to think it's 7 and a half years ago now!
 
MellowYellow

MellowYellow

Are you taking him out and about at all yet Kelsey? Even if you are not letting him on the ground apart from at home yet, it might be worth taking him out to a cafe or something, where you can sit for a while and watch the world go by. Or a trip to Petsmart or similar! That helps tire them out, and you will definitely be the interesting thing, because YOU are the one who takes him different places!

I started puppy gun dog training classes very early with Merlin, and it built up a huge bond between us. I'd do some retrieving training with any puppy, because it calls for focus and a bond between you - and again, you are the interesting thing because only you can throw the ball or dummy!
 
Cath

Cath

MLF Sales Coordinator
MellowYellow said:
Are you taking him out and about at all yet Kelsey?
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I use to drive to a supermarket car park with my two and people watch. I would open a window so they could get some nice smells.

It will get easier believe me. You have done it once you can do it again :hug:
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Jelinga said:
do it before they become independent,
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Yep, this totally. I'd definitely do it again, should I:clap: be fortunate enough to have another puppy.

As to how to make oneself interesting, I guess it once again very much depends on the puppy in question. Not all Labradors are passionate retrievers from the get go, as I was astounded to learn ! Tradition gundog trainers wrote her off, but thanks to +R trainers and Sonia @Jelinga I learnt what makes her tick.
(Sorry Kelsey, digressing now)
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
From recent experience, I think it's so easy to judge progress (or lack of it) day to day. Or even morning to afternoon. And when you’re tired and sleep deprived and out of your own comfort zones (which you will be, because puppy) it’s a self-critical catastrophising sweet spot that can be overwhelming.

So you’re not ruining anything or losing valuable time or failing him if he’s finding other things fascinating right now. It’s a great sign he’s feeling better, and that’s down to you. Keep doing the basics - relationship building, learning about him, feeding everyone (including yourself) - and it’ll settle again in a day or two.
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

I have been trying to reply for an hour but Hugo, or should I say Cujo is fired up this morning 😅 so my reply will be quick but just know I appreciated everyone’s replies.

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! Today I will take him exploring to a store so he can people watch and smell new smells. I’ll try hiding on him in the yard as best I can, it’s a pretty open area but I will try. I’ll also look in to some puppy classes now, I’m just nervous until he’s had his second set of vaccinations. I will also keep reminding myself that this is temporary and it is normal, even if it feels it’s not.

I also gave him his last dose of antibiotics this morning so now my anxiety begins of … ‘will the diarrhea start again😟’ fingers crossed that it is behind us. Still transitioning back to his breeder food, a few more days left of transition.
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

Today was a much better day! Hugo knew his name today, and did really well with recall and ‘leave it’. I took him to a hardware store and carried him around, he was very good, he enjoyed watching everyone and getting lots of attention, he did well with loud noises and weird big objects moving around 😍 I could only carry him for 20 minutes, but I think that was good enough as it tuckered him out well!

A few photos my friend took of Hugo and I ❤ My heart is so full.

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HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Hip hip hooray! That’s great news, what an excellent trip - I bet he got to see, smell and hear all sorts of lovely new things at the hardware store. Glorious photos, you’re both very beautiful 🤩
 
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