Duckaholic Doug
10-25-2009, 01:20 PM
OK, we went to the local football field. My goal was increasing distance. I am dropping the Avery Teal on the goal line, and then increasing the distance back toward the 50 yard line. I walk the dog up with me and drop it, then walk back to the distance I want him to run.
This worked well for 3 or 4 retrieves. Then, a couple of boys showed up and were throwing the football at the opposite goal line. Know, the dog is interested in what they are doing and their ball, not our bumper retrieves. Then, when he does pick up the bumper he drops it after four steps back and then comes to my heel. I'm like, "what the ****?" Are you tired, bored, or distracted. So, I am ready to quit, because the session is not working. I remained calm and did not loose my cool. Because he was so interested in the kids ball, I went down to that part of the field and worked on steadying. He would break when they would throw and I would let him run to the end of the six foot lead and give himself a strong jerk, he then came back to heel. He only broke twice, then he laid down at my heel.
On the walk back into the neighborhood, he has plenty of energy to want to chase tennis balls with the neighbor's boys. I want to give him play time and release energy. I guess I am just looking to keep our training on track. I know every session will not be perfect, but this is the first time in two months that he dropped a bumper without bringing it back.
Another issue I am having is, the dog wants to jump in the pool and swim after I let him outside to pee. Its like he says, "I want to cool off, or play and not go when you want to train." Thanks in advance for comments and feedback. Doug
This worked well for 3 or 4 retrieves. Then, a couple of boys showed up and were throwing the football at the opposite goal line. Know, the dog is interested in what they are doing and their ball, not our bumper retrieves. Then, when he does pick up the bumper he drops it after four steps back and then comes to my heel. I'm like, "what the ****?" Are you tired, bored, or distracted. So, I am ready to quit, because the session is not working. I remained calm and did not loose my cool. Because he was so interested in the kids ball, I went down to that part of the field and worked on steadying. He would break when they would throw and I would let him run to the end of the six foot lead and give himself a strong jerk, he then came back to heel. He only broke twice, then he laid down at my heel.
On the walk back into the neighborhood, he has plenty of energy to want to chase tennis balls with the neighbor's boys. I want to give him play time and release energy. I guess I am just looking to keep our training on track. I know every session will not be perfect, but this is the first time in two months that he dropped a bumper without bringing it back.
Another issue I am having is, the dog wants to jump in the pool and swim after I let him outside to pee. Its like he says, "I want to cool off, or play and not go when you want to train." Thanks in advance for comments and feedback. Doug