Mentalmac Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Hi All, I spent my weekend in North Wales for a game shoot I had been invited on, and as I have seen Bigbird and her husband a few times now I was very kindly put up by them whilst there. I also took my dog Lola along to meet Bigbird as she incidentally search out and recommended Lola to me when I was looking for a Lab pup. Her words being at the time 'plenty of red in the pedigree but shouldn't be too hot' - well, it turns out she is likely a little more hot than anticipated, however I am very happy with her and very thankful of the recommendation from Bigbird (albeit I had to drive to Kinross from my place in Essex to pick her up!). Anyhow, at 7 months old I wanted Bigbird to see her and see how she is getting on and also to give me a lesson in how to handle her better and oh boy was it an insightful visit! Firstly, Lola had a brilliant time with Bigbird and her dogs, she was so happy there and found herself a unlikely friend (a staff, who she ended up curling up at night with after spending the entire time playing with each other, they would sleep together but as soon as let out they would just re-start their play from where they left off. Then it was my lesson in what to and not to do. I had struggled with a few things so far, such as the 'leave it' command, as well as her sit and stay, however within 5 minutes we had Lola sat and staying and then leaving her food or dummy when thrown until the command was uttered to her that she could carry on. I also learnt a few things I habitually do (i.e telling her off when getting things she shouldn't have (usually kids toys or my wallet etc...)) instead to praise her for bringing me and giving me something but then teaching her to not get things in the first place. Lola was very happy to listen to Ally (after a few minutes of a rather entertaining (for me and her husband) stand off), and I believe she has come back a whole different dog, from just a weekend with the dog whisperer herself. Since returning home, I feel she's been much better and the 'leave it' is working a treat, she's sitting and staying for a great distance (can walk around her in circles now) and she looks at me to release her when I throw her training dummy. She also funnily enough seems a little calmer too. Thanks again Bigbird, it was a pleasure again to see you and your lovely family - you made Lola and I very welcome and it was almost a shame bringing her back home with me - she certainly misses Tess haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 She's looking very well Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Thank you Paul :-) - I think she's in good nick, but I would say that :-). She can be a real mighty pain in the backside sometimes (when emptying my wallet out or similar) but I love her for her quirks. Absolutely loving having a pup - she's the only one pleased to see me when I get home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambaker1993 Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 I have also been to see alli and Steve and they are great help! Great post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Growing up nicely , it is amazing how soon someone who knows their onions can turn a dog around . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Growing up nicely , it is amazing how soon someone who knows their onions can turn a dog around . Very much so, it also showed me the range of emotions and differing tones to take with her to get the results, very interesting time. They should start a business of training dog owners haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Eeeeekkkk! Thank you I've gone all embarrassed now lol Ibdidnt do much at all apart from lay a fresh pair of eyes on the two of you, honestly! Edited January 19, 2016 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Eeeeekkkk! Thank you I've gone all embarrassed now lol Ibdidnt do much at all apart from lay a fresh pair of eyes on the two of you, honestly! haha well it certainly sorted her out lol She's seemingly behaving when I'm around now (incase I take her back to yours and get you to tell her off again haha). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) I didn't tell her off it was more of a discussion which I was always going to win lol Edited January 19, 2016 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 I didn't tell her off lol it was more of a discussion which I was always going to win lol lol such a woman statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 I didn't tell her off lol it was more of a discussion which I was always going to win lol The advantage of being a female , you always get the last word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker boy Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 "plenty of red but shouldn't be too hot". Now that's a quote!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Actually my words were 'enough red to be decent but shouldn't be too hot' lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) She looks well bred . So does the pup. Edited January 20, 2016 by Farma Geddon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Great little write up of your time "swinging" with the bigbird clan (the last guy to stop there after a shoot hasn't been seen since) Seriously though, bigbird is great at what she does with the dogs and it was very kind of her to put you up for the weekend. Well done bigbird Keep us updated on your progress with lola. All the best SABS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malmick Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 "plenty of red but shouldn't be too hot". Now that's a quote!!!!!!! Actually my words were 'enough red to be decent but shouldn't be too hot' lol The original one does it for me, a little bit more Scarlet O'Hara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker boy Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 The original one does it for me, a little bit more Scarlet O'Hara BOTH quotes do something to me too.😭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 The original one does it for me, a little bit more Scarlet O'Hara haha in Bigbirds defence, as soon as I had seen a pic of the pups I had already filled the car up - I'm obviously a sucker for punishment :-). She is a lovely dog though. Wouldn't change her for the world (well, she wouldn't listen to me anyhow haha) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Great little write up of your time "swinging" with the bigbird clan (the last guy to stop there after a shoot hasn't been seen since) SABS You're just jealous :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misser Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 you will not go wrong at all with ali and ste.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted January 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 you will not go wrong at all with ali and ste....&&0 haha I think they went more wrong inviting me around, I don't sleep much, talk too much and have a mental dog. Last invite for me lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Steve hasn't long recovered from a very long hangover lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy.plinker Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Hi Bigbird, my springer Ozzy's nearly 9 months now and coming on fine,sit ,wait and the recall is good when on a long rope 15m and 30m long but when I release him at the beach or open fields he's off!!! zoned out chasing birds hares etc,he will occasionally look at me when I call his name or the 2 peeps on the whistle and will come back after about 30 minutes or when he's had enough,do you have any advice? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 (edited) Well done. Big bird Oh dear they will soooooooon be here Yea ha Youngie Edited April 21, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker boy Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Hi Bigbird, my springer Ozzy's nearly 9 months now and coming on fine,sit ,wait and the recall is good when on a long rope 15m and 30m long but when I release him at the beach or open fields he's off!!! zoned out chasing birds hares etc,he will occasionally look at me when I call his name or the 2 peeps on the whistle and will come back after about 30 minutes or when he's had enough,do you have any advice? Thanks. At 9 months old the dog is not coming along fine I'm afraid. Coming back after 30 minutes is about as far away from doing fine as you can get. Get yourself to a GOOD trainer to put you straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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