Toffee’s Gundog Training

[SteffiS]

Preparation:

In readiness for next Sunday’s gundog training (goodness it’s come round quickly) I’ve been assembling all the necessary bits and trying to catch up on practising at home. We missed some days when I was in London and now OH is away so I’ve got no assistant - apart from Ripple who is doing his best to be a hinderance .

Toffee has more or less got the idea of the place board, and the stop whistle is coming on in leaps and bounds. Hold is a bit more problematic, sometimes he seems to get it but it’s a bit hit and miss. Sit and wait for the dummy to be thrown is a total no - he’s gone before it has even left my hand - he’s actually a bottom hoverer and is quivering with excitement before anything is thrown, so that will be a challenge.

And I’ve finally got around to making a soft dummy for him to practice hold with - we were also asked to bring a soft dummy for the training on Sunday so I hope this meets the requirements

 

[Stacia]

Running in is relatively easy to solve. Have someone to help and get them to pick it up before Toffee does. You say he goes just before it leaves your hand, you can get over this by just dropping it at your feet and picking it up before he gets to you. They soon learn if they want it they have to wait!

 

[SteffiS]

That’s helpful @Jelinga , not having anyone to help at the moment was being a problem, hadn’t thought of dropping it at my feet - thank you.

 

[David]

With the hold I got Poppy to carry the dummy while she was walking at heal on the lead. She seems to have got the hang of it.

 

[SteffiS]

Finally got around to reporting back on the training.

It was unlike any gundog training I’ve done before; as well as being a 'positive' trainer Katy also specialises in HPR dogs so there were no other labs. There were only 5 handlers but 6 dogs, 2 Pointers, 2 Vizslas and a Spinone, and Toffee.

Basically we each had our own station marked out with 2 poles for the width of the field, and we worked individually so no waiting for other dogs and no watching other people. As this meant we were constantly working Toffee was really tired by the end of the first hour and I struggled to keep him going after the break.

In the first half we did quite a lot of basic work, including walking to heel, stop whistle, recall and place board work, although we all worked at our own pace I was surprised that Toffee managed some of the more complicated stops and also waited on the place board when a dummy was thrown.
After the break the rest of the group were working on retrieves, but we were still concentrating on hold and also settle.

I felt that the 2 hours was a bit much for Toffee but after a nap in the car going home he was determined to stay awake for the rest of the day. He wanted to go for a walk when OH took Ripple out so I took him to the river front to people watch for 20 minutes, we got home about 4.30 and Toffee suddenly took himself to bed and virtually slept until Monday morning just about managing to get up for his dinner.

The day was much more successful than I could ever have hoped for, I was worried he would be overwhelmed by the other dogs and people but after an initial 2 minutes of trying to introduce himself to everyone he really settled down and concentrated on the training. I was very proud of him and really hoping there will be a space at next months training for him.

 

[Selina27]

That's a great read @SteffiS , sounds like Toffee did really well. I am so glad you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next one.

 

[kateincornwall]

A lovely positive and uplifting post, well done both of you xx

 

[Atemas]

Wow a really positive post - lovely to read

 

[Joy]

That sounds a really well-organised class - great to read!

 

[HAH]

That sounds excellent @SteffiS , what a great discovery! Can you book another session (or 5??) ahead of time? You've clearly found a super fit in Katy the trainer for you and Toffee.

 

[David]

Loved reading about it all. Many thanks. Gosh - 2 hours! I think you must both have been on your knees by the end. Well done Toffee.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Sounds Brilliant Stephanie!

 

[SteffiS]

Can you book another session (or 5??) ahead of time? You've clearly found a super fit in Katy the trainer for you and Toffee.

The gundog training is monthly. We were in with the advanced class as there weren’t enough people for a beginners class, Katy hasn’t decided what classes she is running next month yet so I have to wait and see.
Hopefully I can do this instead of the 121 as I think we can get just as much out of it. The 121 was a brilliant foundation for Toffee and it looks like this is a good next step.

 

[Cath]

Lovely read @SteffiS

 

[MellowYellow]

Good boy Toffee!!!!!

I think that working in a group is far more stretching for the dog than a 1-1 session, so if Toffee can handle it, then I'd go for that. They learn so much watching the other dogs!

 

[SteffiS]

These training sessions are a good half way house I think because, although there’s a group, we are really working individually.
I’m assuming Katy will introduce a bit more actual group work if Covid becomes less of a problem.

 

[SteffiS]

Just a quick update for this thread. We have continued to go once a month for gundog training and although Toffee is improving and really enjoying himself I’m pretty certain he’s never going to be gundog material.
However Katy has described him as 'hilarious' and I wonder if someone could explain whether this is a technical term for gundogs .

 

[Atemas]

really enjoying himself

That’s the important bit

 

[kateincornwall]

Aww, bless him , having a blast and loving it all . One of my late Labs was the same , she would never in a month of Sundays have made even a poor gundog , but she enjoyed trying xx

 

[SwampDonkey]

Toffee is happy that's all that matters I wish I could find something like that round here. Sounds such fun