Gundog Training Forum

It was as clear as day Nick, when I relaxed (and fought my desire to grab the dummy as he exited the water) he delivered it without dropping, twice. Definitely me!

Went to Wye Valley training tonight and he was solid again. Another enjoyable session.

In a moment of weakness I’ve entered a working test…it isn’t until mid July, so time to work on a few things. It is only a novice dog test but will be interesting to see how we get on.

PRH wrote: ↑Tue May 27, 2025 8:54 pm It was as clear as day Nick, when I relaxed (and fought my desire to grab the dummy as he exited the water) he delivered it without dropping, twice. Definitely me!

Went to Wye Valley training tonight and he was solid again. Another enjoyable session.

Funny thing passing stress on, my wife is away and I had to take Tiny Ted the cat for a check up to see how his new medication was working this morning. The vet commented on how relaxed he was today and not wound up at all like he was last time, the simple answer I think was he was with me and I wasn't bothered so he wasn't, whereas my wife worries about him!

Maybe not in your wife’s case but plenty of people reward their dog for being anxious, scared or aggressive. Unknowingly of course.

Yes, she just anticipated bad news and got a bit upset whereas when I took him I could see the improvement and knew the vet was going to be happy with how he was, but it was interesting that normally he does not like going in the car in his box with her and is pretty vocal but he just slept on the way there after the first mile and all the way back with me and I had a few jobs to do and it took a bit of time so he had far longer in the car than normal. I have thought of suggesting I take him in future but I don't think that will be approved of!

Training last night. Cracking evening

Happy days

Progress on the delivery out of water. I've taken a change of approach and it appears to be working, albeit not proofed. Accepting the problem is me and the anxiousness I display when the dog is retrieving from water......I've just reverted to doing exactly as on land, standing a bit like a statue, hands behind my back and waiting for him to come in and put his head up, then give him some fuss on his chest / under his head and slowly take the dummy. It worked on Wednesday night! The other school of thought was to engage with the dog as soon as he comes out of the water, really encourage him in, tell him hold etc etc.....which isn't really me or the dog.

Hopefully we can repeat the success (it is all relative) on Tuesday next week at the end of training block working test.

How did it go?