Clicker retrieve 1

Having a go at a more structured approach to shaping the clicker retrieve. I'm using Helen Phillips tip of using a box or basket to begin with. It seems to work. On previous attempts to shape a pick up, he doesn't move on to the clean lift off the ground as fast or clearly. I still have a problem of Grey freezing (2.29) and there seems no way to get him going again other than to go right back to the beginning.

Nice information page on slovaks in the UK

Nice and to the point useful info on the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer from a UK perspective.

http://web.mac.com/galody/Galody/Slovaks.html

Walking on the beach

Just walking and not stopping or calling.

Blind Retrieve 16/11/10

We're no experts at retrieving! But Grey enjoys it and it keeps him busy and out of mischief. It has to be fun though. So if mistakes are made, no chastisement. I'm very lazy and unstructured, but mainly we hang out and do stuff.

A poodle came to say hello

Grey was on the beach and a little mini poodle ran over to say hello. I think he quickly realised that Grey was too much and a bit big and bouncy for him. Grey really is uncool sometimes.

Sitting down and connectedness

A little video of me sitting down on a bench after a walk and run offlead on the beach. Not asking him to do anything, but rewarding him for voluntarily checking in. This bit of ground is heavily walked on by dogs and isn't that remote or quiet. It's also an area Grey has been walked in almost daily since he was a little pup. The camera is also a cue for training I think as usually a predictor of something exciting coming like sausage! So you see a bit where he sits in front of me. And cheeky monkey lets me know when he thinks we've sat long enough, than you!

I'll try and do more of this in different environments to see if there is any difference.

So in thinking about connectedness, a bond is really important. Choosing to come back rather than being forced or even asked to come back. Probably worth more than a bit of sausage.

Never leave anything precious within reach

Sad when dogs are just commodities to pass on

Saw an ad for a 2 year old female slovak up for rehoming because she 'doesn't have enough drive'. For fuck's sake. Hope she finds a good forever home. Wonder where she's from.

More videos from November

I'm slowly working through bits of video that I've taken on my phone in November.

This is from November 5th. Grey goes bothering a golden who is trying to have a quiet paddle in the sea. Just like he likes to do. Perhaps doesn't need a bothersome slovak in tow!



Both Grey and I love paddling. We both prefer to paddle through the shallows.

The importance of being...

Have had a few really nice trips out recently where Grey and I just hang out. It's something that we really benefit from. Just getting out into the sunshine (or not!) and fresh air and just be together. No goals other than each other's company. It's come up in the LADS course I'm doing. The value of connectedness has been a major discussion coupled with approaching learning when a dog is in the frame of mind to learn. Where freedom of choice is of upmost importance. Quality time is worth a million times than stressful time.

Our terrible retrieve

Ho ho ho, here's Grey and me showing how not to do a retrieve and how much he loves to run away with his prize! Was a lovely day though.

More cautious in the woods

This is a video I shot on my phone last month. Grey doesn't range very far in the woods. He seems to be very cautious. He did come across some walkers in the middle of this and he barked at them and was setting most of his weight backwards.

Mooching on the beach video

I'm working through some videos I shot of Grey the last month. Not had time to edit and upload anywhere. After all the time he was ill this summer, it's just lovely to see him messing around.