Ferreting Dog Training Commands

[Tiercel 6,986]

Good post BORDERSCOT, it can go horribly wrong thats for sure .

 

It's a balance, as getting a pup in the field early is how I like to do it, but at that early sensitive stage general training and commands are still being worked on also. So good short sessions seem to have worked well for me on the last couple of dogs.

 

I have always felt that although its great to start to teach a 'leave' with food from a young age as basic training, a rabbit or live quarry always stir up a little more 'want' in a dog and to what extent is where the challenge lies. So those early experiences with live quarry is important stuff to build on the 'leave' and desensitising them to rabbits to a certain extent is important so they don't see a rabbit (alive or dead) as a 'big deal' helps alot.

Working in that short window of opportunity when the pup is still not as sure of itself, assertive or as driven as a older dog would be, enables me to get the basis of that all important training nicely in place far easier I have found.

Each dogs a challenge and everyday is certainly a SKool day

 

 

 

 

I have to agree with the above statments, but a word of warning to anyone trying it for the first time. Do not make the mistake of teaching the dog antisipation. Do not get the dog trembling for the words take it. Leave it, should just mean It's off bounds to you. If you use food do not tell the dog to leave it, then moments later tell it he can have it, that causes the dog to learn antisipation and it will always be looking for the follow up to leave it.

 

Far better to tell the dog to leave, then remove the dog from the situation, before letting the dog have the treat. It's the same with the stay command, stay should mean stay where you are till I call you. But if when training you tell the dog to stay then walk away and imediatly call it it will always be antisipating the sign / command to come to you. Better to tell the dog to stay then walk back to the dog, reassuring the dog that you are not going to leave it there, and the dog will not be looking for any sign to move as it will have confidence in you.

 

TC

[BORDERSCOT 3,816]

Good post BORDERSCOT, it can go horribly wrong thats for sure .

 

It's a balance, as getting a pup in the field early is how I like to do it, but at that early sensitive stage general training and commands are still being worked on also. So good short sessions seem to have worked well for me on the last couple of dogs.

 

I have always felt that although its great to start to teach a 'leave' with food from a young age as basic training, a rabbit or live quarry always stir up a little more 'want' in a dog and to what extent is where the challenge lies. So those early experiences with live quarry is important stuff to build on the 'leave' and desensitising them to rabbits to a certain extent is important so they don't see a rabbit (alive or dead) as a 'big deal' helps alot.

Working in that short window of opportunity when the pup is still not as sure of itself, assertive or as driven as a older dog would be, enables me to get the basis of that all important training nicely in place far easier I have found.

Each dogs a challenge and everyday is certainly a SKool day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good post BORDERSCOT, it can go horribly wrong thats for sure .

 

It's a balance, as getting a pup in the field early is how I like to do it, but at that early sensitive stage general training and commands are still being worked on also. So good short sessions seem to have worked well for me on the last couple of dogs.

 

I have always felt that although its great to start to teach a 'leave' with food from a young age as basic training, a rabbit or live quarry always stir up a little more 'want' in a dog and to what extent is where the challenge lies. So those early experiences with live quarry is important stuff to build on the 'leave' and desensitising them to rabbits to a certain extent is important so they don't see a rabbit (alive or dead) as a 'big deal' helps alot.

Working in that short window of opportunity when the pup is still not as sure of itself, assertive or as driven as a older dog would be, enables me to get the basis of that all important training nicely in place far easier I have found.

Each dogs a challenge and everyday is certainly a SKool day

 

 

 

 

I have to agree with the above statments, but a word of warning to anyone trying it for the first time. Do not make the mistake of teaching the dog antisipation. Do not get the dog trembling for the words take it. Leave it, should just mean It's off bounds to you. If you use food do not tell the dog to leave it, then moments later tell it he can have it, that causes the dog to learn antisipation and it will always be looking for the follow up to leave it.

 

Far better to tell the dog to leave, then remove the dog from the situation, before letting the dog have the treat. It's the same with the stay command, stay should mean stay where you are till I call you. But if when training you tell the dog to stay then walk away and imediatly call it it will always be antisipating the sign / command to come to you. Better to tell the dog to stay then walk back to the dog, reassuring the dog that you are not going to leave it there, and the dog will not be looking for any sign to move as it will have confidence in you.

 

TC

 

 

Good posts......this site at its very best....good solid information.....from a couple of lads who know the game and know what they're on about...

[Sirius 1,391]

I don't have a clue, 'Leave it you fecker' :laugh: