An interesting first training session today. Firstly I had to get there, the quickest route is over the chain ferry (20 minutes) this doesn’t always run as it’s tide and wind dependent, plus I’m a bit scared of it, the other way takes over an hour, so I braved the ferry and consequently arrived 40 minutes early. We sat in the car and waited, as instructed, and a blimmin muntjac wandered past which didn’t give me much confidence in the training field.
Anyway eventually the trainer, Katy, arrived. First of all we discussed Toffee’s previous training, his normal behaviour and the deer problem. We also talked about my training experience, including Ripple’s gundog and agility training ( ) . It turns out Katy is also a 'positive / force free ' gundog trainer.
We are going right back to basic clicker training with Toffee to try and get his focus back on me and away from the environment, I can understand why this is useful as although he is very attached to me I do have problems with him suddenly dashing across me to sniff really intently, and I can’t get his attention until he has finished his 'sniff' . She commented on his puppy appearance and puppy behaviours - which I think can be part of the problem as loads of people think he’s a puppy and want to say hello to him.
Katy was also helpful discussing the problems I’m having with my hands, suggesting a different way to hold the lead, and possibly doing some training with a head collar so I have a backup if my hands are particularly bad.
The hour really flew by, Toffee was pleased with all the treats he got from using the clicker, and, although we hardly moved from the car park, he was really tired by the end - a good sign that he had been working his brain hard. Everything we did will be sent to me by Katy online, together with any additional training materials she feels will help. I’ve also got loads of things to practice at home over the next week.
The only thing left to do after that was brave the chain ferry home .
Anyway eventually the trainer, Katy, arrived. First of all we discussed Toffee’s previous training, his normal behaviour and the deer problem. We also talked about my training experience, including Ripple’s gundog and agility training ( ) . It turns out Katy is also a 'positive / force free ' gundog trainer.
We are going right back to basic clicker training with Toffee to try and get his focus back on me and away from the environment, I can understand why this is useful as although he is very attached to me I do have problems with him suddenly dashing across me to sniff really intently, and I can’t get his attention until he has finished his 'sniff' . She commented on his puppy appearance and puppy behaviours - which I think can be part of the problem as loads of people think he’s a puppy and want to say hello to him.
Katy was also helpful discussing the problems I’m having with my hands, suggesting a different way to hold the lead, and possibly doing some training with a head collar so I have a backup if my hands are particularly bad.
The hour really flew by, Toffee was pleased with all the treats he got from using the clicker, and, although we hardly moved from the car park, he was really tired by the end - a good sign that he had been working his brain hard. Everything we did will be sent to me by Katy online, together with any additional training materials she feels will help. I’ve also got loads of things to practice at home over the next week.
The only thing left to do after that was brave the chain ferry home .