Hi all
A quick update and another challenge.
The pups 4 months and is hunting mad. She has always remained under control, but in the last week, if she gets the wiff of a scent she is gone! Nose down, a million miles an hour. She will throw herself into the thickest cover and work it out completely.
I'm trying to keep her away from scented ground on an open field, but she just makes a bee-line for the closest cover.
While I appreciate this will be an asset long term, I'm worried she is now starting to think recall commands are optional at times of her choosing!
Im thinking of making a large pen, say 20 meters by 20 meters and just restricting her to this when off the lead. Alternatively just exercising her on a long lead.
As a novice I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I don't want to knock the hunting out of her, but equally she is in danger of getting out of hand.
Exercising off the lead
Re: Exercising off the lead
Walk a under training dog on a lead at all times, when the lead is taken off a command is given, whether a cast or a retrieve. When finished working put lead on, this allows dog to switch off and relax. To be consistent, to allow free hunting (which is beneficial to a pup as the dog quickly learns what is hiding in different cover) or a free run outside the normal exercise zone, give a command again once the lead is taken off such as, 'that will do dog'. Therefore the dog always knows your in command even under free time and will not hinder training.