Author Topic: Update on Jett  (Read 1898 times)

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Offline bmthmark

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Update on Jett
« on: November 08, 2018, 10:23:15 AM »
So after Jett's success in a gun dog competition in August I felt it was time for Jett to be pushed to the next stage of his gun dog training  :o.
The training I take him to have award schemes to give us something to aim towards. In Jett's case we were going for the 'bronze' award.

These are the requirements to pass the 'Bronze' award:

Test 1 Heel.

Handler to walk with dog at heel 20yds off lead. Handler and dog to about turn and return to start.

Test 2 Sit.

Handler to command dog to sit, leave dog 10yds and return to dog. Dog not to move.

Test 3 Stay.

Handler to leave dog 20 yds and turn and face, one command may be given. Dog to remain at sit for 2 mins, handler to return to dog.

Test 4 Recall.

Handler to leave dog 20 yds, call dog, call or whistle. Dog to come without delay, sit in front of handler and, on command, return to heel.

Test 5 Retrieve 1

Straight marked retrieve 10 yds. Dog to be sent on command, retrieve dummy to hand and return to heel.

Test 6 Retrieve 2.

As retrieve 1 but distance 20 yds.


I think I have been taking Jett to training for probably 1.5 years now, so we have worked hard at the above. He was tested last weekend and he only went and passed it  :banana:
The tester was very good and gave Jett a second chance on the retrieval as Jett retrieved the dummy but accidentally dropped it as he ran back to me  :-\ . This should of been a 'fail' as he has to hold it in his mouth, but the tester knew that it was an accident and let him have another go. Jett did it fine the second time round.
I was worrying about Test 1 (walk to heel off lead) as this has always been our weakness as Jett loves to 'wander' off and smell all the lovely new smells  :shades:.

I am amazed by these cocker spaniels, they are just so clever and constantly want to impress.

Jett now moves up to the advanced group  :dance04: with the older dogs. He will now learn to do things like split retrieves and retrieve seen with gunfire.


I would highly recommend gun dog training as not only it teaches the dog obedience but its a good way for them to socialise with other cockers.
One thing I've noticed is that with Jett at home, he plays around and acts like a puppy. But as soon as we go to training, he is like a different dog. He listens, he takes orders and he generally loves to be worked. Its such a good thing to see


Offline ejp

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2018, 02:28:07 PM »
They are clever little devils indeed  :luv: Well done to you and Jett, great progress.  :clapping:

Offline Finvarra

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2018, 03:55:57 PM »
Congratulations, you must be so proud !  Extra biccies for Jett  :banana: :banana: :clapping: :clapping: :cool4:

Lesley and Dylan
Remembering All the dogs of my life, especially Milo

Offline bmthmark

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2018, 06:18:22 PM »
Thank you. Yes I'm very proud of him  :D

Offline bizzylizzy

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2018, 07:18:24 PM »
Well done both!!  :clapping: :clapping:I do agree regards training, we?ve been doing a similar routine for obedience (although I hate the term ) and its helped us enormously.  These little dogs just love to please, and it gives me such a buzz  to see how Humphrey?s progressed in the last 18 months. We failed out test (although Humph? doesn?t know that!  :005:) but its all about the working together and having fun while we?re training.
Lots of  :bigarmhug: to Jett!  :happydance:

Offline bmthmark

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2018, 08:04:35 PM »
Well done both!!  :clapping: :clapping:I do agree regards training, we?ve been doing a similar routine for obedience (although I hate the term ) and its helped us enormously.  These little dogs just love to please, and it gives me such a buzz  to see how Humphrey?s progressed in the last 18 months. We failed out test (although Humph? doesn?t know that!  :005:) but its all about the working together and having fun while we?re training.
Lots of  :bigarmhug: to Jett!  :happydance:

Thank you, I know what you mean regarding the term 'obedience', what I mean is training to keep them calm and I know I have full control over him.

I agree, they love to please and it's amazing how much they change in such a short amount of time.

Aww poor Humphrey, I'm sure he will pass it soon. It took Jett a long time (1.5 years) to pass it.
I would be lying if I said all of it was fun :005: I'm not sure Jett deciding to run off and eat horse poo during training was a fun moment  :lol2:
Definitely made some memories  :005:

Offline Barry H

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2018, 09:38:24 AM »
Congratulations!  Always great when hard work pays off...

I started off with the best of intentions and only the ambition of having a well-behaved dog.  Training has been fairly consistent (though Jack is show type) and lots of progress made with the usual stuff but not so sure about the 'constantly want to impress' bit.  The older he gets the more I get the 'are you having a laugh?' look. 

Here's how I reckon Jack would have done:
Test 1 - only when he's knackered
Test 2-3 - no problem
Test 4 - only when there are no distractions ie nothing interesting within 100 yd radius (this has been the toughest nut to crack - if ever).
Test 5-6 - no chance, though he loves to get the mail and delivers it to hand when the postman's been

Anyway, onward and upward!  Look forward to reading of Jett's future progress.  I'm sure it's immensely satisfying and fun depite the frusttrations   Best of luck!

Offline bizzylizzy

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2018, 11:56:11 AM »
Congratulations!  Always great when hard work pays off...

I started off with the best of intentions and only the ambition of having a well-behaved dog.  Training has been fairly consistent (though Jack is show type) and lots of progress made with the usual stuff but not so sure about the 'constantly want to impress' bit.  The older he gets the more I get the 'are you having a laugh?' look. 



That made me smile  :005: I know exactly what you mean, like when he?s returned his dummy twice perfectly and while you?re enthusiasticall praising him for what looks like is going to be a  a hat trick, you can almost see the two fingers being shown in the look that he gives you as he races straight passed!!  :lol2:

Offline bmthmark

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Re: Update on Jett
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2018, 01:28:30 PM »
Congratulations!  Always great when hard work pays off...

I started off with the best of intentions and only the ambition of having a well-behaved dog.  Training has been fairly consistent (though Jack is show type) and lots of progress made with the usual stuff but not so sure about the 'constantly want to impress' bit.  The older he gets the more I get the 'are you having a laugh?' look. 

Here's how I reckon Jack would have done:
Test 1 - only when he's knackered
Test 2-3 - no problem
Test 4 - only when there are no distractions ie nothing interesting within 100 yd radius (this has been the toughest nut to crack - if ever).
Test 5-6 - no chance, though he loves to get the mail and delivers it to hand when the postman's been

Anyway, onward and upward!  Look forward to reading of Jett's future progress.  I'm sure it's immensely satisfying and fun depite the frusttrations   Best of luck!

Thanks. I know exactly what you mean when they give you the 'are you having a laugh?' look  :lol2:

It sounds like Jack would pass the test if you knacker him out and get a post man to throw the dummy  :lol2: oh and no other dogs within 100 yards  :005:

Its funny how they are so different. There is no way Jett would deliver a letter to me, he instantly shreds paper/cardboard, so I have zero chance of him ever doing this.
Test 1 was the hardest challenge for Jett as he likes to wander off and getting him to stay at heel was very hard. It was a 50/50 chance whether he was going to do this. Luckily he was a good boy and stuck to me