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Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

09/03/2009 9:41 AM
Yeah I defiantly want the tangle free one...we can get some tall weeds growing up and I don't want snags! I am so glad to be able to check here and get all sorts of info cuz I am really hoping to have a well trained dog in the future and one that my boys can have tons of fun with!

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7844

09/03/2009 12:13 PM
I believe in letting pups be pups, but I also think it is important to start their training early. The 8 weeks to about 16 weeks time period is when they learn fast. Anything you can expose them to/teach them in that period sets a very strong foundation for what you do later. Maybe at this stage you think of it as exposure more than formal training. In any case, don't ever drill a shorthair. That is absolutely the fastest way to shut your dog down. They are way to smart and because they learn so quickly they have a tendency to get bored with normal training routines that will work with labs and other breeds. This requires us as trainers to be much more creative in our methodologies. I have to admit though that I have always loved a good challenge and turning a shorthair into an obedience champion is something that I have absolutely loved. Enjoy your puppy, but also be sure you expose your pup to the basic commands, socialize as much as you can and get your dog into as many different environments and situations as possible.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

09/03/2009 1:58 PM
We are on a good start for exposure...my family is full of dogs...So he has been exposed to my sister's 2 dogs and my parent's dog...When he has had his final puppy shot and I hear you should wait 2 weeks after that, I will then be bringing him to the stables I ride at and he can meet all those dogs (5 dogs there)... He goes in the truck with us everywhere already and I can't wait till his shots are done and he can go to the pet shops! I am interested to see how he will do when he first sees/hears my husband shooting off his horse for mounted shooting! That will be our gun testing since we don't hunt.

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7844

09/03/2009 5:11 PM
For conditioning him to the gun you might want to start with him a good ways away from the gun and horse. Get him playing and having fun and then have your husband shoot the gun. If you get a reaction then you need to have him further away. If you don't get a reaction you can move him closer. Work slow and you will have a dog that pays no attention whatsoever to a gun. If you rush it or start with him right by the gun you could end up with a gun shy dog and that is hard to fix.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

09/03/2009 8:39 PM
Yeah that is a good point! I know our neighbors have been shooting guns/firecrackers and Blitz notices the sound but they are far enough off and have been happening enough that he is now accustomed to that sound. I think when my husband does go out to shoot he can do it in the arena out back and I will stay up by the house in the back yard with Blitz...then depending on how he reacts we can either move further away into the front yard (which it should then sound like the neighbors) or if it goes well we can move in closer and closer...We were lucky with our horses that they all were fine with the guns and shooting so we didn't have to work with them, so I am hoping with the puppy it won't be too bad!

Somer

Houston, TX

MH
Posts:280

09/04/2009 9:09 AM
Didn't notice if this had already been mentioned by someone else, but I like to do lots of restrained recalls as pups. I like to do several really short (enough to do a couple recalls, before they get bored or distracted) sessions a day. I have one person hold the dog and call them to me, run backwards as they're coming to me and then reward the heck out of them when they get to me.

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

09/22/2009 8:45 AM
Just to update...the come is getting better and we are off to a good base for it...I need to get the rest of the family to work with him more too cuz I don't want him only listening to me...We are making sure not to use the "come" command if he is off the check cord....the other day I had him on the check cord and I took him out by the farm equipment and tall grass where he had seen the cat the other day...he was very distracted and sniffing around for the cat and I said Blitz, Blitz come (I say his name twice) and he came right away...lately I don't have to real him in when I call....I gave him his 3 treats for the great come...I like the 3 treat rule for the come...Later that day I had him off the check cord and he was doing great with the come at short distance and even one that was a short distance but I was out of site behind the trailer, I had treats on hand for him! He can also be right next the arena when every one is doing the mounted shooting and the air compressor keeps going on and off to fill balloons and he ignores it all! Thanx for the advise and all the help it is working great!

TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2387

09/22/2009 8:56 AM
Good to hear! Thanks for the update!

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

Benning1

Posts:5

11/05/2009 8:02 PM
ok so as far as the "come" command goes... again back to inside training vs outside. inside my dog benning is about 70% when I use the command. Sometimes he gives me the GSP usual stupid stubborn look like, "no you come to me". He's only 5 months old so Im assuming its just the pup in him but he does come most of the time. But outside is totally different. That's all puppy. I use the check cord, say come, he doesnt, I give a tug, say it again, still doesnt come, another more forceful tug and come then he runs past me. This usual? Should I continue this?

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7844

11/05/2009 10:18 PM
So, for any command you say once and only once and then you make them do it. For a recall no matter where you are your dog should still be on a check cord or leash. Benning is not ready for an off leash recall. You say come and give a pop of the check cord. If Benning comes you reward and praise. If Benning does not come, reel him in with leash/check cord and praise. Do NOT repeat the command. Otherwise, you teach your dog to come on the 2nd, 3rd, etc command. Once Benning is responding to the come command the first time and quickly you can drop the pop unless he ignores you, then pop. Some things you can do to get an enthusiastic come are to call and run away as soon as the dog starts moving to you. They love to chase. You can also toss a toy or treat between your legs and let the dog get it as the reward for coming. Remember coming to you has to always be the most wonderful thing on earth for the dog. Since Benning is about 70% inside on the come command you have allot more work to do inside before you every get to the distractions of outside. Benning should be 100% on leash with no pops or reeling inside before you move outside. Keep in mind that it sometimes takes thousands of recalls to get to a consistent and reliable recall. This is one exercise you want to do right and do not rush it. Also, do not call your dog if you cannot reinforce the command.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

11/07/2009 7:54 AM
I second that advice it has been working great still for us...Blitz even has off leash time at our place! If he didn't come when on the check cord I just reeled him in opposed to giving a tug....my 5 year old son has worked on this too with him and does ok but has a hard time reeling him in if he doesn't come...so my son does the call and run method a lot!

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