Training pays off!

[trenchfoot 4,243]

Spent a lot of time training the dogs. One of which I was hoping would make a good mooching type. However, when he is working alone with me and no other dogs he is not that sharp. He is a pleasure to take out when you just want a quiet amble, or have a very specific job to do Just doesn't think for himself that much. As such I have started to train him to take direction as would do a retrieving gundog. He has been taking hand and whistle signals well enough to allow me to direct him onto an unseen target. A bit like the golden shot!

 

Took him and the little tyke cross out this morning to see if there was anything knocking about. Had a good craic and knocked over a few bunnies on some moorland I have permission on.

 

On the way home we walked down a bridleway when a flock of sheep were rambling towards us. No farmer in sight, so I guessed some errant escapee from the berghaus shop had left the foot gate open by the cattle grids. I sent the dog in question over the wall and onto a farm lane that the sheep had passed, that ran at right angles to where they needed to be returned to. Then commanded a down stay in the gate way. I had the little tyke cross at heel and steadily chivied the flock back from whence they came. The big lad never moved and no sheep was upto pressing past him laying just inside the gateway. Got all the flock back and shut the gate. and then called the dogs back to heel. I felt well chuffed!

 

Even more so when I was intercepted by the lad whose sheep they were 5 minutes later. He had been coming down the lane behind me and had watched my amateur antics. Permission granted on another 300 acres that links our own land to the moorland where I have some more permission for using the dogs.

 

Result

 

the two dogs earlier this year

[iworkwhippets 13,247]

Hes not that sharp when worked alone, cos he sees the other dogs as competition, he wants it all

[trenchfoot 4,243]

Hes not that sharp when worked alone, cos he sees the other dogs as competition, he wants it all

 

Interesting slant on it. I think it maybe that he is very reliant on the other dogs in the pack. Both are very busy with excellent noses and he likes to hang around the fringes watching whats going on to pick up any offerings. On his own he just seems to be that bit more laid back and looks to me for assurance, rarely working 50 yards without looking for a check back from me. If he picks up on a line of scent he still looks for confirmation from me, unless that scent is very strong and game is afoot. I dont find it a problem as part of the bigger picture, as it can be a blessing at times given our constrained laws. The new training has added a new dimension to our abilities together as I can now move him onto game, or into a position where I can drive a piece of ground towards him.

[skycat 6,174]

Lovely read that Just shows what a well trained dog can get you.

[Catcher 1 639]

Always pays off when you put the work in early.

[Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin]

 

This is your next task great read ATB Cookie