And now.... a rant.

Every so often I end up browsing though various dog training sites. It's interesting to have a look at what information is out there, and how different people approach their training.

Sometimes this browsing leads me to sites from the good ole U.S. of A. Unfortunately, they seem to have a nasty little trick up their sleeves for teaching a dog to retrieve over there. It's called a force fetch on most of these sites. What they say is that it involves putting 'pressure' on a dog that is only released when the dog picks up the dummy - let's cut the bullshit though, what they mean is that they cause the dog discomfort, or out and out pain, which the dog only escapes by working out it needs to pick up the dummy. They might place a pencil or dowel between two of the dog's toes and then tighten a loop of string around the toes, twist or pull the dog's ear, attach a lead spring clip to the ear and pull, or go hi-tech and zap them with a shock collar. I try not to read these articles, but every so often I end up looking and I am always left feeling deeply saddened for their dogs.

Quite frankly, this 'training method' is completely alien to me. My approach has always been to use positive methods and to build on the instincts Henry has, teaching him rather than hurting him. Henry found the idea of a retrieve very odd at first, so we clicker trained it, breaking each step down and working up to a complete retrieve slowly and patiently. You can see the results at the end of this post. It may not be so macho or dramatic, but it's been bloody effective. And I have a dog that trusts me, and can still look myself in the eye in the mirror every morning. The idea of deliberately causing him pain is one that fills me with revulsion - as do the 'trainers' peddling this outdated crap. Shame on them, with their weasel words and their shiny smiles.

I am sure that there are people out there who would have had Henry being shocked from here to the middle of next week with battery powered collars, would have booted him from pillar to post and would have given up a long time ago. I hope that his continuing progress will serve in a small way to prove these people wrong, as he continues to learn his job, and carries it out with a wagging tail rather than a stressed expression. I hope that as he runs back to me to deliver a retrieve because he wants to bring the bird to me rather than because he's afraid of what will happen if he doesn't, it will be another demonstration that you don't have to be a bully to train a dog, and that discipline does not have to equal pain. And I hope that the 'trainers' out there twisting ears and shocking their dogs meet someone bigger and stronger than them, who decides to put some 'pressure' on them.

Annnnnnd - breathe...

FLOOD!

I'm not saying it's been rainy here, but today's walk might have been easier if undertaken by boat...

Henry does it at last

Yes, Henry can now really call himself a working gundog, as since last posting he has been out on not just one, but two shoot days. What a little star he is.

On his first day, he stayed mostly on the lead (which he greatly disliked, being a dog who likes to be in on the action) but was allowed off on a couple of drives in the afternoon. He immediately attached himself to two more experienced dogs and did what they did - not ideal from my point of view, since he wasn't actually with me (!) but he was learning the ropes and doing it well. We can work on the rest - what mattered to me was that he was doing what he was supposed to, and was totally unphased by all the noise, gunshots, other dogs and so on.

On his second day he was off the lead for most of the day. He isn't too great at stopping (he tends to complain - loudly) but he is hugely enthusiastic (common comment - 'He's keen, isn't he!' as I am towed from drive to drive). He also paid a bit more attention to me (well, a little bit more attention): indeed, at one point my friend and I took our dogs (she has a gorgeous 12 month old Springer named Purdey) to work along a hedge and both of them really were fantastic - listening, going where they were directed, coming back on the whistle. If only we had a video to prove it!

The best thing about this shoot is how relaxed and friendly it is. None of the dogs are perfect (Henry was not the worst behaved!) but it really doesn't matter. I think many people can feel intimidated about taking their dogs out (I know I did!) and worried about their dogs misbehaving. Well, of course you should train your dog, and of course different shoots have different standards, but they don't necessarily have to be pod puppies, perfect in every way. If you can find the right shoot, then go for it. I'm so glad I did.