At my most recent training session with my 11 month old cocker spaniel bitch we introduced the 'lost' command. She seemed OK at the session but since coming home putting this into practice I have come across a slight problem.. The bitch is called Lottie (Yes, being my first dog I was unfamiliar of the command) and Lottie has subsequently been shortened to Lots. So.. out in the field, searching for dummy start using 'lost' command and she runs back to me, confused at first I try again and alas the same thing happened and then it clicked, she thinks I am calling her.
I'm realising now what a silly mistake I have made with my name choice but was wondering whether there was an alternative command I could use instead of 'lost'?
If indicating the presence of a dummy on a blind retrieve or if she's mismarked, I say 'theeeeeeeyar', but if you're just hunting her up then try 'seek'
I keep my hunt command distinctly different to the retrieve command. They are two different instructions. I do not recommend "seek" for a retrieve command if you are using it to cast off with. Keep them separate.
Use any word you want to as long as it doesnt sound like any of your other training/handling words. Just make sure she can associate the word with the command with the action.
