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  1. #11
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by teej89 View Post
    You did a field trial? or you watched a field trial?
    I guess it was am introduction to field trials for beginners. the morning was spend in class & then we went into the field. Hope was the only dog that knew what to do. I just did what I was told by the instructor. I found it extremely exciting!! I think I will join a club here but there doesn't seem to be much activity in the winter

  2. #12
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Ideally, the polished retrieve would be the dog that returns to heel (without a word from you) sits at your side, turns her head slightly (with the dummy/bird)* toward your hand, waits until your fingers are on it and then lets it go... all without a word from you.

    But as Labradorks has pointed out elsewhere, you're talking about a long, long string of learned responses.

    Where is she in her obedience? What kind of recall does she do? Is it automatically to heel position or a front finish? What happens when you tell her to fetch it up (after dropping it)? Does she pick it up off the ground? Does she know "hold"?

    It would help you to know what what you are to do if you knew what she knew to do (if that makes sense.)

    *I put the asterix there because a dog that is coming in hot and wants the next bird in a multiple mark situation will be eye-balling where they saw the second bird go down, and not looking for your hand. But they will wait for you to take it out of their mouth (in fact, they will probably spit it out as soon as your fingers are in their peripheral vision) and then wait (barely) to be sent.
    We have done probably 10 obedience classes. I just keep taking them so our bond gets better & she builds confidence. She learns so fast but she still has a lot of nervousness. She has had so many changes from being a kennel dog to a house dog. Living in the country to living in the city.
    Her recall is excellent. Very rarely do I call twice. On recall I have been working on the heel position but it is not anywhere where it should be. If she drops it on the ground I don't pick it up - I say fetch it up & she does. I really don't know what hold is????? I guess I can google it.
    I agree with you on the "it would help to know what you are to do if you knew what she knew to do". that has always been my dilemma. That's why I ask you guys!!!

  3. #13
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Actually, if your dog picks it up from the ground after she's dropped it... that's a really good sign. The average lab working from just native interest in retrieving stuff and carrying it in their mouth, having dropped it, would probably look at you like... huh?... when told to fetch it up. So someone taught her (either with force fetch or just lots of practice) that the retrieve was supposed to be to hand and when told to fetch... she fetches. That's good.

    That's why I mentioned "HOLD". It's a command often used in force fetch (I imagine other systems as well) to just encourage to the dog to persevere, keep the object in his mouth, hold on to it until they can get all the way to delivery.

    You may be further along than you think. Give a gentle "hhhhhooooollldddit" hold it hold it hold it hold hold... GOOD GIRL !!!! as she returns to you. See what happens.

    BTW: How cool that there are retriever groups that have a "Field-Trials-101" day. I wish our club would do that. And yes! It is really exciting.

    BTW 2: Yes, I am not a hunter (alas!) because I cannot hit anything I'm aiming at. But I am a dog-a-holic. HT's and the progress you can see your dog making week to week and month to month... that's what gets my juices going.

  4. #14
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    You could get another WC and another JH even if she does not deliver directly to hand. It has to eventually get to your hand, but she can drop it and pick it up again and put it in your hand. It's not that big of a deal unless you're going to do formal obedience at the higher levels or hunt tests at a higher level. I mean, practice it for sure, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

  5. #15
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
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    [QUOTE=TuMicks;99112]Actually, if your dog picks it up from the ground after she's dropped it... that's a really good sign. The average lab working from just native interest in retrieving stuff and carrying it in their mouth, having dropped it, would probably look at you like... huh?... when told to fetch it up. So someone taught her (either with force fetch or just lots of practice) that the retrieve was supposed to be to hand and when told to fetch... she fetches. That's good.

    That's why I mentioned "HOLD". It's a command often used in force fetch (I imagine other systems as well) to just encourage to the dog to persevere, keep the object in his mouth, hold on to it until they can get all the way to delivery.

    You may be further along than you think. Give a gentle "hhhhhooooollldddit" hold it hold it hold it hold hold... GOOD GIRL !!!! as she returns to you. See what happens.

    BTW: How cool that there are retriever groups that have a "Field-Trials-101" day. I wish our club would do that. And yes! It is really exciting.

    BTW 2: Yes, I am not a hunter (alas!) because I cannot hit anything I'm aiming at. But I am a dog-a-holic. HT's and the progress you can see your dog making week to week and month to month... that's what gets my juices going.[/QUO
    Thanks for this encouragement & the tips. I will try the "hhhhhooooollllllddddit". I have seen lots of progress since I got her. I didn't think the obedience classes were what I needed but it is. I have n awesome trainer, Keltie Lang, who is amazing. I have learned so much from her. I have gone to TNT Kennels as well, which are very well known in the lower mainland.
    If I could only get her to relax in the car, I would be a happy gal. She is terrible. whines, pants & makes a sound like a seagull. It is not getting better & I have done everything ~ crate, thunder shirt, different area's of the car, I had her in the front seat in a harness, but then she pants right in my ear, had a hammock set up in the back, I've spent so much money on it. I have yet to try the Dog Appeasement Pheromones. I have also thought maybe it's the sounds of the car. thought about somehow raising her up off the ground a bit, say with a mattress or something. any tips?

  6. #16
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Regarding the car...

    First question I have is, is your concern for you or for your dog? Here is why I ask...

    If you're worried about your dog, then you probably have some evidence that this behavior is symptomatic of something that is harmful for her. For instance, when she gets out of the car she cannot get a grip on herself, she is emotionally exhausted, she can't perform or focus or she quivers and cowers... then yes, something is wrong.

    On the other hand, if when she gets out of the car, she can't wait to go play, get some birds, "wow... I'm glad that car ride is over... now we can have some fun..." then she just wants to get where she's going.

    So you need to ask yourself if you have any objective evidence that riding in the car is harmful to her in any way.

    If, you don't, then the behavior is not a problem for her, it's a problem for you. And I'm with you... it would drive me nuts. When I'm driving, I need to focus on the road. I don't want a neurotic dog distracting me.

    It seems you've jumped to the conclusion that the behavior indicates a dog in anguish. I just want to know how she behaves the minute she jumps out of the car.

  7. #17
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Regarding the car...

    First question I have is, is your concern for you or for your dog? Here is why I ask...

    If you're worried about your dog, then you probably have some evidence that this behavior is symptomatic of something that is harmful for her. For instance, when she gets out of the car she cannot get a grip on herself, she is emotionally exhausted, she can't perform or focus or she quivers and cowers... then yes, something is wrong.

    On the other hand, if when she gets out of the car, she can't wait to go play, get some birds, "wow... I'm glad that car ride is over... now we can have some fun..." then she just wants to get where she's going.

    So you need to ask yourself if you have any objective evidence that riding in the car is harmful to her in any way.

    If, you don't, then the behavior is not a problem for her, it's a problem for you. And I'm with you... it would drive me nuts. When I'm driving, I need to focus on the road. I don't want a neurotic dog distracting me.

    It seems you've jumped to the conclusion that the behavior indicates a dog in anguish. I just want to know how she behaves the minute she jumps out of the car.
    She is just fine once she gets out of the car. Not a problem at all. Lets go have fun. so I guess it's me. But in a way it is about her because I'm gonna go crazy with the noise & then I will be locked away & she will have no mother (I'm kidding of course). It is so distracting. The panting is really loud & then the cries are very sorrowful. Sometimes I just stop the car, get out & tell her to stop. I say "that's enough" but then it starts again. It can be non-stop like for an hour. It really has to stop somehow. I am so patient with her but some days I have just yelled at her & of course that doesn't work. Then I feel bad because she is such a sensitive thing, but I feel really bad for me LOL

  8. #18
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Well, so... she's not being traumatized by the car ride. Here are some suggestions.

    You have a crate. Put it in the way back of your car (I think you have an SUV? Can't remember.) Put the dog in the crate. Then...

    1. Crank up the radio, 8 track tape deck CD, MP3, whatever and attend to that and stop worrying about the dog.

    2. Ear buds and books on tape on your kindle. That's my personal favorite.

    You can always buy a pick-up. Crate her in the back and drive however you like.

    Really. The dog is fine. Don't stop the car. Don't pay attention to her. Sounds like a field bred lab who knows there are no birds to retrieve as long as she's in the car and she wants you to get to where you're going because... who knows? Something fun might happen.

    Doesn't sound like she's cringing around the car before the ride or afterwards. No excessive salivation or puking in the car. No wetting herself. She gets in the car without resistance. She hops out of the car looking for the next fun thing... Relax! She's just excited.

    There are ways to MAKE a dog lay down and be quiet. I think she's a little old to start on that. Really, it's probably a lot better to work on you.

    Have you ever had kids? Sheesh, I'd take a whiny panting dog over... "MOM... She's looking at me!" "He touched me first!" "Did NOT!" "Did, too." "Move over." "You're on MY side. YOU move over". "MOM!!!!"

  9. #19
    Real Retriever alixb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Well, so... she's not being traumatized by the car ride. Here are some suggestions.

    You have a crate. Put it in the way back of your car (I think you have an SUV? Can't remember.) Put the dog in the crate. Then...

    1. Crank up the radio, 8 track tape deck CD, MP3, whatever and attend to that and stop worrying about the dog.

    2. Ear buds and books on tape on your kindle. That's my personal favorite.

    You can always buy a pick-up. Crate her in the back and drive however you like.

    Really. The dog is fine. Don't stop the car. Don't pay attention to her. Sounds like a field bred lab who knows there are no birds to retrieve as long as she's in the car and she wants you to get to where you're going because... who knows? Something fun might happen.

    Doesn't sound like she's cringing around the car before the ride or afterwards. No excessive salivation or puking in the car. No wetting herself. She gets in the car without resistance. She hops out of the car looking for the next fun thing... Relax! She's just excited.

    There are ways to MAKE a dog lay down and be quiet. I think she's a little old to start on that. Really, it's probably a lot better to work on you.

    Have you ever had kids? Sheesh, I'd take a whiny panting dog over... "MOM... She's looking at me!" "He touched me first!" "Did NOT!" "Did, too." "Move over." "You're on MY side. YOU move over". "MOM!!!!"
    this is hilarious!!! Maybe you're right. I do crank the tunes but I have moved out of the 8 tracks & onto CD's. I have her in a crate in the back of my SUV. I thought about getting some plexiglass put up between the front & back seat or something so I didn't have to hear her, but it seems a bit impractical. She does salivate a lot. Maybe I will get a truck. Not a bad idea. But if I put her in the back someone in my neighborhood would accuse me of abuse
    ( you know how city fold are). If you speak loud to your dog they think you are abusive. It's pretty silly. I know as I have a loud voice.
    I have not had children but I love the description of yours. That's so funny. If you ever come to Vancouver BC let me know & I'll take you for a nice long ride & you can listen to her!!!

  10. #20
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    We'd be so busy talking over her we'd never notice.

 



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