mick miller Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Hi all, So the days till Merla's arrival are diminishing and I'm cramming in as much info as I can to make sure she gets the best start. Whilst she's a puppy the recall, hupping and other training is going to be kept to a fun minimum, however I do want to start instilling the basics from the off. My question really relates to the later months, when training begins in earnest, and play. I've seen these tennis ball throwers, which look great for longer retrieves and general play, as some of Merla's retrieves will be longer range, rifle shot bunnies I'm wondering whether I can use one of these for structured training and/or play/ exercise without ruining all the hard work put in to dummy retrieves. Does anyone use one for such or are they just for straight play and if so, would that play interfere with Merla's training. Advice as always, gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 I don't mind if a little pup runs staight in for a ball etc., You can always stop them later IMO. When totally addicted to retrieving you can then intoduce steadyness. BUT if you start with a keen one and do too much for too long its a hard job to stop them you might be making a rod for your own back. Longer retrieves are better given on long memory retrieves or long blinds on the "get back" comand and signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Do you ever just play without considering the working aspect? Or is ALL play with work in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom&Dexter Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Cant see why you would need one tbh (i would just leave them for people in the park) certainly not for a long time the best thing you can do with that little one is bond with it let it jump and climb all over you very important not to knock them back, when its looking at you get its name in for a recall dont be afraid to use its kibbles as a reward for recall or sitting etc Get that desire to retrieve in early make sure any time off the lead is not free running with other dogs in the park or away from you try and keep him her nice and close to you quicker the dog learns NO the easier this will be (that is unless you are confident you will be able to rain the dog back in later) Best of luck with her get some pics up when you get her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Thanks Kent & Tom, I didn't plan on using the ball thrower for many, many months but as she'll be ultimately be retrieving rifle shot rabbits (70 yards or so) I wondered whether in a year or so some distant retrieve fun/work wouldn't hurt. Is ALL play work related or would a bit of fun ruin the dog? Wife is adamant that Merla won't be allowed on the furniture or upstairs so I guess the climb all over stuff will be when I'm sitting on the floor or out in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Do you ever just play without considering the working aspect? Or is ALL play with work in mind? Play and work same thing to a puppy, why make it harder than it need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Thanks Kent & Tom, I didn't plan on using the ball thrower for many, many months but as she'll be ultimately be retrieving rifle shot rabbits (70 yards or so) I wondered whether in a year or so some distant retrieve fun/work wouldn't hurt. Is ALL play work related or would a bit of fun ruin the dog? Wife is adamant that Merla won't be allowed on the furniture or upstairs so I guess the climb all over stuff will be when I'm sitting on the floor or out in the garden. If you have a keen retriever no need to wait a year for distant retrieves. 70 yds isn't very far, after a bit you want it to go almost indefinatly till it hears your wistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 (edited) Wife is adamant that Merla won't be allowed on the furniture or upstairs so I guess the climb all over stuff will be when I'm sitting on the floor or out in the garden. Thats easy to do, we had a cocker when i was younger that would never get on the sofa or go upstairs, be wary tho they will thieve if given opportunity.... Ours would never retrieve, she would chase the ball and hunt it but would never return it I was only young and my parents wanted an obedient pet rather than a working dog although she was from a working litter. My other halves aunt has 2/3 cockers at a time and while not working dogs are very good pets and very intelligent, their most recent was a nightmare until they switched food stuffs (was more like a hot ESS) these are all Blue Roans BTW. Edited August 11, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom&Dexter Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 use a crate with her and limit her time out and where she can go make sure you get her used to a collar early even if she will never use one in later life as it will be beneficial for you to keep a house line on her for when she decides to take a jump on the sofa etc As above its all play in the early days dose not mean they are not learning dont feel you need to let her run riot to let of steam stimulate her brain with games etc will be more beneficial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Thanks for all the advice. We have a crate (splurged on one of those Crofts jobs seeing as it'll be home for the next 10 years at least) big enough to sprawl out and stand up with room to spare. Play is work, got it. Yes, we will get her used to a collar as it's way to early for the slip lead yet. I was going to use a harness for walks whilst a young pup but I'll get her a collar whilst she's a young'un. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Thanks for all the advice. We have a crate (splurged on one of those Crofts jobs seeing as it'll be home for the next 10 years at least) big enough to sprawl out and stand up with room to spare. Play is work, got it. Yes, we will get her used to a collar as it's way to early for the slip lead yet. I was going to use a harness for walks whilst a young pup but I'll get her a collar whilst she's a young'un. Body harnesses are so the dog can pull, oh and no nothings who are suckered into buying extra rubbish they dont need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 With my little springer when I eventually got her out and about, I put her on a lightweight retractable lead (I know ) purely so there was no resistance. When she'd get further than a few yards out i'd call her and if she didn't respond quickly i'd activate the trigger which in turn stopped her and gently pulled her up. It wasn't on her for many days then she'd turn instantly on calling her name without it on, getting down on one knee and making a big fuss each time helps too , have to say though she was never a roamer anyway but it's nice to get a pup turning as soon as it's name is called, introducing the recall to whistle was a doddle afterward. Highly unlikely to be text book stuff but it worked really well for Roob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) Body harnesses are so the dog can pull, oh and no nothings who are suckered into buying extra rubbish they dont need What the breeder and field trial trainer recommended for a very young pup so as not to damage the neck until old enough for a collar and lead. Bloody no nothings. Edited August 12, 2011 by mick miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Agree Harness's are for pulling, so unless buying a sled leave em in the shops. easy enough to put a loop into a slip lead over the dogs nose if you need a bit more control when heel walking better still go back and put the training in. jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 For a 12 week old pup? Slip lead? Really? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 For a 12 week old pup? Slip lead? Really? Yes really - a Harness will just teach it pull. Don't need to be harsh with the pup - it is a lead not a weapon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 I wouldnt be harsh with it, no need. Well, seems like the harness is going on the bay then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 i have no problem with a young pup being on a slip, not like they are going to be doing much walking anyway, and when worn correctly it will be loose, by the time you are looking at heel work and using light correction flicks on the lead the pup is usually about 5-6mths another 6-8 wk older. (depending on your pup) light show type slip leads are ideal jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) Are they easy to find online Jan? I wonder why a harness was recommended? It did seem odd to me but having not had a dog from pup before didn't question it. Edited August 12, 2011 by mick miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Quest sell really nice soft leather slip leads - light and ideal. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Cheers Mike. I have a bunch of dummies and stuff coming from them already so I'll go take a look now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 why make it hardfor yourself just get a slip lead and you will be fine ,both my dogs have been fine with them for the few months they have had in them. The only time i need a lead now is if im near a busy road just to be safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 That's what I'm going for. I was advised a harness would prevent damage to the pups neck to begin with but I have no intention of dragging, choking or trying to get a young pup to heel for a good while yet. I definitely don't her tugging and learning to pull. You'll have to excuse my ignorance with regard to pups, I've only had mid-aged rescue dogs in the past, puppies , gundogs and gundog training is entirely new to me. Thanks to all that have offered advice without derision or remarks. We all have to start someplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom&Dexter Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Just enjoy it she wont be made of glass so no need to worry they are hardy little dogs she will soon be on that slip lead pulling like hell some wait till a bit older to teach lead work etc If she were mine i would start from the firs time she can go out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 What the breeder and field trial trainer recommended for a very young pup so as not to damage the neck until old enough for a collar and lead. Bloody no nothings. Put it on a slip or a light collar and clip on lead is what i preffer as you can leave it in its collar for short periods daily before grandally introducing the lead by letting it drag is about the garden for a minuite or two then give it plenty praise and clip it off. Graduall intoduction to new things to be worn or connected to a dog are always wise, take a tip from the horse people on this one. Did he also sell you one of those infernal harnesses? Yes you can damage a liitle pup with a slip, but you not meant to correct them just yet. Moderation in all things As above myself, with such a wee pup the slip comes later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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