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>> Gundog Awards Scheme Launch
Posted by labadmin on Thursday, January 19 @ 20:59:40 GMT (709 reads)
Molly99 writes "A new initiative has been launched in the form of ‘The Gundog Club’. The objectives of the club are to promote excellence in gundog training in general, and to provide support and guidance for novice trainers in particular.
The club has set up a Graded Training and Awards scheme to guide young dogs and their owners along a ‘training path’ from the very first training steps right up to open working test standard. Candidates can progress as far as they wish. The scheme is suitable for all retrievers from family pet to future working dog and is ideally suited to those who would like to enjoy a more ‘gundog’ orientated and outdoor style of training.
The new system tests each dog against a cleary defined standard and not against other dogs. The Gundog Club is not connected with the Kennel Club and cross-bred dogs will be able to compete and win awards in just the same way as pedigree dogs with papers.
Owners will be able to ‘title’ their dogs in each of the six Grades from ‘beginner’ to ‘master’ at their own pace. Details of the scheme are available on the website www.thegundogclub.co.uk
I will be very happy to answer any questions any of you may have about the scheme or the club in general.
Pippa Mattinson ( molly99)
Awards Scheme Co-ordinator
The Gundog Club
"
(comments? | Score: 3)
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>> A Simple Approach to Gundog Training
Posted by julieadmin on Wednesday, December 07 @ 14:50:26 GMT (706 reads)
bradleysmum writes "John Weller, an expert in gundog training and long time valued supporter of Labrador Rescues has written a book which he has donated to the cause.
John originally wrote a series of articles for Labrador Rescue which were so well received he was asked to pull them altogether in a book.
His guide to gundog training is an excellent addition to any potential gundog owners library.
This book is being sold at no profit to Furbabies, and all profits are going to Labrador Rescue. If you would like a copy please go to www.furbabies.co.uk and click on books. It's a great book, for a great cause.
"
(comments? | Score: 1)
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>> Think Positive - It's More Likely To Bring Harmony
Posted by julieadmin on Sunday, September 11 @ 22:50:45 BST (1007 reads)
SmudgesMum writes "Training plays a crucial role in maintaining a happy and rewarding relationship between you and your dog as he grows. The foundations for such harmony are laid down during the early stages of ‘puppyhood', and often owe their success to a well-structured training programme. This should be as much fun for you, as it is educational for him. While there are many methods of training, among the most satisfying for both of you are those based on positive reinforcement. Essentially rewarding him for the things he does well.
The starting point for any such programme is gaining an understanding of how dogs learn. In the ‘doggy world', learning consists of trying out new behaviours and seeing what happens as a consequence of doing so. If the action is followed by a pleasurable response, the dog will tend to repeat it.
For example, a dog who begs at the table might be rewarded by getting food. But if the begging is, as it ought to be, followed by a negative consequence such as a reprimand, he will eventually stop. Effective training should work on the same principle. It should be a combination of: information - what you want the dog to do; motivation - a reason for your dog to do it; and timing - when to reward a good action.
Clicker training
Clicker training uses this principle of positive reinforcement. A ‘clicker' is a small plastic box containing a strip of metal that, not surprisingly, makes a clicking sound when pressed. Once the dog's motivation has been determined (usually a food treat), an association between the click and something positive, can be established.
A simple exercise to try with your puppy, which uses the clicker training method, is teaching him to sit.
Hold a treat in your hand, and wait for his bottom to touch the floor. Be patient and don't be tempted to give a command or push him down. You must wait until he eventually sits by himself. As soon as he does so, click and give him the treat. Repeat this a number of times in short training sessions and in a variety of locations.
After a dozen or so attempts, begin to say ‘sit' as his bottom touches the floor. Continue to give a click and treat. Your dog is now learning that the ‘sit' command requires him to do just that, because he only hears the word when he's in a sitting position.
After repeating the process at least 40 times over several short sessions, you can begin to ask your puppy to sit, giving him the command before his bottom is on the floor. Continue giving a click and a treat as he obeys.
Once he has learned what ‘sit' means, the clicker is no longer needed for this command. However, continue to reward him from time to time with treats when he sits on command."
(Read More... | 2861 bytes more | 1 comment | Score: 1)
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>> An impawsibly clever canine
Posted by julieadmin on Thursday, September 08 @ 13:11:24 BST (1147 reads)
bradleysmum writes "Jaws will soon be dropping at checkouts all over town, thanks to one supremely talented puppy.
Shop assistants will be rubbing their eyes in disbelief when they witness little Yannick calmly paying for his disabled owner's shopping, even putting the correct change back in the purse.
Not only that, but the dexterous doggie is being trained to help his friend to dress and undress, do the washing and even respond to emergencies.
The prodigious pooch (pictured) was picked by charity Canine Partners when its staff visited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and realised his lively good nature and love of play made him ideal for such a special job.
"
(Read More... | 2590 bytes more | 1 comment | Score: 1)
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>> Teaching The 'Bed' Command
Posted by labadmin on Tuesday, August 23 @ 11:09:37 BST (1067 reads)
SmudgesMum writes "Training your puppy to get into bed on command is more than just a convenience - it can keep him safe too. For example, if a glass breaks in the kitchen, giving your puppy the "bed" command can keep him away from the broken glass until it has been cleaned up.
If guests stop by unexpectedly, or your puppy comes into the house with muddy paws, or maybe you need your puppy out of the way for a minute, the "bed" command can be very useful.
It's also an easy command to teach and, if you practice a few times every day, you'll have a puppy who, in no time at all, runs into his bed happily.
Pre-training tips
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Before you begin, check to see that his bed doesn't slip or rattle against a hard floor. Both things can spook a puppy and make him nervous about approaching his bed. If necessary, put an old towel underneath the bed (between the bed and your floor) to keep it quiet and in one place.
Decide on a command that will be used consistently, such as "bed" or "kennel."
Start training
==========
You're now ready to start training. Don't forget to have a few treats on hand to reward your puppy. The treats make the training fun for your puppy and help him to understand what behavior you expect from him.
Get your puppy's attention and show him the treat you are holding. Approach the bed and toss the treat in. If your puppy leaps in after it, great! If your puppy doesn't rush into the bed right away be patient. Encourage him and reward him for whatever he is willing to do. After a few times of being rewarded for putting his head into the opening of the bed, your puppy should be more than happy to put one foot in, then two, and then you're on your way.
Once you know your puppy will get into bed on his own, give the command as you toss the treat in. Be sure to continue to show your puppy the treat and get his attention before you move toward the bed. As your puppy becomes more familiar with this command, showing him the treat prior to giving the command will become unnecessary - hearing the command will be enough.
Cut down on the treats
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Over time use less and less treats. The aim of the treat in training is first to communicate to your puppy the behavior you expect, and then to reward your puppy when he obeys your commands. However, if you use a treat all the time, your puppy may fail to obey unless he gets a treat.
After a few days of practice, and when your puppy is comfortable with the command, randomly pretend to toss a treat into his bed when giving him the command. Your puppy should get into the habit of getting into bed, and he should be praised enthusiastically - but no treat this time. Sometimes toss a treat in, other times pretend to.
Eventually, most puppies will try standing at the door of their bed looking in, but not going in. If you wait a few seconds, most puppies will go into the bed on their own. Reward them when they do. Do not - repeat - do not toss a treat into the back of the bed when your puppy pauses like that. If you do, you've just rewarded that pause with a treat. Instead, simply move away and try again or gently guide your puppy into his bed, then reward him with lots of praise.
By using these simple steps you can train your canine companion to get into his bed on command eagerly and that is not only impressive, it can be very helpful as well."
(Read More... | 3622 bytes more | 1 comment | Score: 2.33)
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