Training in the woods

[Beanwood]

So what happens if you don’t know where it is?

Then we are in trouble and I have likely lost a dummy!

 

[Leanne]

Ok so mission is:

Retrieve to hand
Work some more on memory retrieves with progressively longer term waiting.
A good sit to heel for when I launch the dummy. (this is currently not even close. When it comes to throwing it it’s very much 50/50 as to whether he’s going to launch himself after it or wait nicely.

 

[Beanwood]

That sounds like a plan! @Leanne, methinks you should start a training log with Maz?

I would train a good heel without adding the retrieve. I started this late with Bramble, but it really helps! I also make this a game and add middle, plus leg weave which is a trick for her So with the heel, turn slightly, ask for heel...click and reward...keep turning click and reward.

One good habit to get into is not to throw the dummy/ball yourself. The dog then expects the retrieve to always from you, it also limits the distance the dummy /ball is thrown, and you really want to mix up distance as early as possible. Instead, walk with Maz at heel and on lead, or steady fob. Drop the dummy, walk back a distance before sending him back for the dummy/ball. Hope that helps!

 

[Leanne]

One good habit to get into is not to throw the dummy/ball yourself. The dog then expects the retrieve to always from you, it also limits the distance the dummy /ball is thrown, and you really want to mix up distance as early as possible. Instead, walk with Maz at heel and on lead, or steady fob. Drop the dummy, walk back a distance before sending him back for the dummy/ball. Hope that helps! [/QUOTE]

Ohhh see now that’s clever. I genuinely couldn’t think of how I was meant to train with further distances as frankly I am shocking at throwing

Ps what is steady fob?

 

[snowbunny]

I genuinely couldn’t think of how I was meant to train with further distances as frankly I am shocking at throwing

I do most of my training alone; I just pop the dog in a sit/stay, walk out and throw the dummy, then return to the dog. So doing a lot of steadiness to thrown dummies and working on a sit/stay with distractions is useful.

 

[Beanwood]

Ps what is steady fob?

A sort of short slip lead. Sometimes they have a sort of "bobble" to hold onto. Basically, this enables you to have a very light control when practising a bit of steadiness. You don't have to remove the steady fob just let go when you send your dog out.

example steady fob

as frankly I am shocking at throwing

You can't be as bad as me! No one trusts me to throw dummies....ask @Naya! I think it's why Bramble is so good at marking, she needs eyes in the back of her head!

 

[Leanne]

Oh wow - I have to have one of those! They are way cool

 

[Selina27]

I am shocking at throwing

I'm pretty appalling, to and I do most of it on my own. What have found recently is that I have varying degrees of success with different dummies now that I have started using more diverse types like the grouse one I had for Christmas, it's heavier which seems to make a difference.
Well done with Mas, it's lovely to see his enthusiasm.

 

[Lab_adore]

think my brain just exploded

I convinced myself you had all started talking in a different language

 

[Leanne]

Today’s training!

So we took on board some of @Beanwood advice today!

Practising STOP (need to add a whistle at some point!)


Wait and retrieve


Memory retrieve


Another memory retrieve


When you try and clever and fail

 

[Leanne]

 

[Leanne]

 

[Charlie]

I do most of my training alone; I just pop the dog in a sit/stay, walk out and throw the dummy, then return to the dog. So doing a lot of steadiness to thrown dummies and working on a sit/stay with distractions is useful.

I train alone too and do exactly this and successfully, which makes a change! x

@Leanne It's exciting to read your progress with Mas and you sound like you are enjoying yourself. x

 

[Peartree]

He is super and you are having a great time with him. It’s lovely when they understand and start to play your games with you.

Can I ask, are you just doing it for fun or do you want to get into some ‘proper gundog’ training? Just if you do want to do it properly, can I suggest that you build up the difficulty in smaller steps? I would make the memory retrieves much shorter and within sight so that when you tell him to go and fetch, he starts to trust you. At the moment, he is ‘sticky’ ie starting and then turning and asking for reassurance as he’s not quite sure what you want him to do. Obviously if you are just making it a game that really doesn’t matter that it’s becomes part of your behaviour chain but if you want to take it further, then you want to make sure that your behaviours are ‘clean’.

Love watching your videos. You have sure fun and rapport with him. Tell me to shut up if you don’t want any help, I won’t be offended.

 

[Leanne]

Hi @Peartree !

Mas is a therapy dog in training so that is our main focus - no intentions of doing any gundog training with him - I might try something like flyball or agility at some point but he’s not even 10 months old yet so that’s a while away.

The training is just for fun and to keep his brain busy plus I like learning new things!

 

[Leanne]

Today’s training was loose lead training, he’s getting pretty good! Still need practise but im
Happy with how it’s going.

Was particularly impressed when he walked to the end of the lead and slowed down for me to catch up

https://www.flickr.com/gp/163434925@N03/1n58V5

 

[Selina27]

Sounds good @Leanne , well done Mas. I couldn't see the video.

 

[Leanne]

Drat! I’ve probably done it wrong!

It’s also on the Labrador friends Facebook group

 

[Charlie]

Drat, I can't see the video x

 

[Leanne]

Loose lead walking