Training the recall – 27th June 2009
Today had a sense of purpose. I had to purposefully attempt to sort out the errors of yesterday, and yes, by and large the errors were mine. We went back to the place it had all gone wrong only this time my wife came with us. I would train one dog at a time and there would be no leeway – non compliance wasn’t an option.
As we walked to the area training would take place we were passed by four of five curlews flying overhead and calling in only the way curlews can. I have said it before but the sound of a curlew is, in my mind, one of the most wonderful sounds I have ever heard. It was wet, threatening rain, but very warm with no breeze at all.
Just before we reached the area where I had planned to run the training session I let Grace get on in the hope that she would vent a little steam. She didn’t, seeming to prefer plodding about so she went straight back on the lead until we reached the right spot. Few things annoy me more than a dog who chooses to potter. My wife sat on a bench with Grace hupped in front of her on a lead. I took Archie off, dropped him and walked away. At about 60 yards I turned and whistled him in, giving him loads of praise when he reached me, which he did quickly in his thundering, cheek flapping way. I then set him up again and walked back, doing the same on return. He did this every time with no problem. I then repeated the exercise but attempted to drop him as he got half way towards me. To be honest I find this exercise the hardest as he doesn’t drop until he gets close to me. I then patiently take him back to the spot he was at when I blew the whistle and drop him again. I repeated this another four times before he eventually got the idea (but still seemed unsure). Loads of praise then Grace’s turn. She was fine, no drama, and seemed to actually enjoy the explosive release of energy which was in direct contrast to her earlier pottering. When I had done the same with Grace for ten minutes I went back to Archie for another ten minutes. All OK. It is frustrating though, I can drop Archie when he is going away from me very easily, it’s when he is coming towards me that he wants to get close to me before dropping. I will sort this out though, somehow. On a positive note, if I had left Archie in the hupped position and walked more than about 30 yards from him a month ago he would have stood up and moved forward slightly. Now he seems very happy in his own space and very attentive waiting for the next command.
I have noticed that Archie seems to be going through an odd pointing phase where any unusual smell prompts a point, albeit a stalking moving semi-point. Its tricky as he has come across very few birds yet so he hasn’t really worked out what he is doing. I just have to make sure I don’t encourage this non-productive pointing in any way.
When we got home I spent the next half an hour replacing the strip curtain on the kennel pop hole. It seems that Archie found the original quite tasty and ate the lot in a matter of weeks. If this one goes they can stay draughty for a week or two.
June 28, 2009 at 9:14 am
“To be honest I find this exercise the hardest as he doesn’t drop until he gets close to me.”
The second the dog passes the point where you wanted him to drop run at him, hands in the air with dark thoughts in your mind shouting very harshly and he will drop but even if he doesn’t grab him and haul him back to the spot and be as verbally rough as onlookers will permit. And when I say haul, I mean HAUL. Don’t try to lift him the whole idea is that it is uncomfortable. There is nothing wrong with your dog being slightly scared of you. He’ll remember.
June 28, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks Des, I will up the ante a little and see how it goes. I have been known to look a little like Basil Fawlty in the broken car scene when Grace has stepped over the line before now. Whilst she always seemed suitably contrite I am sure she just watched me in mild amusement.
June 29, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I think a ‘Stalking Moving Semi-point’ is a very accurate way of describing what inexperinced dogs do, and they always seem to sort themselves out about it all. I think it just proves he is normal (and has a normally-insecure handler
) Hilary
June 29, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I think you may be right there!
June 30, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Once a dog has pointed several times it may start to look for its distance. The only way it can do this is to stalk the bird and eventually, as you say, it will learn to point at the correct distance. You have to be careful, however, that it doesn’t become what Maurice Getty calls a “Cat Hunter” i.e. it is stalking to pounce. Stalking to point is OK but stalking to pounce is a no no.
June 30, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I agree, and will keep an eye out for any developments. Tonight though he pointed staunchly at what I guess was a pheasant. There was no hesitation just a sudden dead stop with seemingly no intention of moving. Will keep watching him closely though.