Lessons were based around cones and squares and fun games And that, folks, is the secret!!!!!
Training pups is like teaching children, it can either be a laborious chore trying to instill knowledge into bored subjects who‘d rather be doing something else or it can tap into their natural eagerness to learn by keeping the interest and fun element.
We have a new, young trainer at club and I wish I‘d met her 7 years ago, she sets her training up in exactly the way you describe, - a typical example is recall, where she has a box of toys, treats, games, ( the „nose“ dogs are allowed to sniff out their treats, far more fun!) sorts - every time the dog comes back successfully, there’s an unexpected surprise.
With the recent boom in dog ownership there are „trainers“ springing up out of nowhere, a lot of them eager to make a fast dollar, so its worth shopping around for one who you and your dog are comfortable with. Its not a bad idea to aim for an award in the long term, it does work as an incentive to keep practising but it shouldn’t put any pressure on the training because you have to have reached the standard in a set time.
I‘m not a trainer, all my observances are based on 7 years of cocker ownership and all I can say is „wish I‘d known then what I know now“ - training a cocker is a challenge but it doesn’t have to be blood, sweat and tears, it CAN be fun, it just needs the right approach!
This was last Sunday, - Egg and Spoon race, - walking to heel (well sort of
), impulse control and lots of hurdles etc built in. My dog isn’t very mobile now but he loves this sort of training and its brilliant for bonding,