CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: Top Barks on January 07, 2019, 08:12:25 AM

Title: Long term training goals
Post by: Top Barks on January 07, 2019, 08:12:25 AM
Ok, I've been really made to think by a cocker  client recently. So I wondered how many of you have long term training goals? A target to work towards? I thought it might be beneficial to share them and your progress   here so come on. What are your training aims?
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: Barry H on January 07, 2019, 10:00:53 AM
Fortunately, both Jack and I love training sessions, so have had no probs with any training - other than recall, with a whistle or without.  Among other things, he'll bring me the post and fetches my socks when it's time to go out (I wear sandals in the house).

So, number one is still recall training (he's getting better as he gets older, but not perfect).  Jumping up at visitors is another tough nut to crack.

Running out of ideas but currently working on the 'Bang!' trick - good fun, but it's' early days - the penny hasn't really dropped with him yet...

If I could only get him to hoover up and mop the kitchen floor, we'd be working on that!
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: bizzylizzy on January 07, 2019, 11:02:14 AM
Am probably not alone in wanting to overcome the pulling problem at ALL times! Walking to heel is good off lead and, for a limited amount of time and under the „right“ conditions (i.e. boring familiar places!) on lead aswell but other than that, still an issue.  He understands „heel“ but I don‘t want to overdo the command, its not necessary for him to be at heel all the time on lead, I just need a loose lead but without a command (if that makes sense?)  We’ve discussed the subject to death on here and although I have had a degree if success, I’d concluded   that it is a typical cocker trait and that I’d probably never achieve reliability, but your views would be most welcome!  (particularly as 3,5 years of training hasn’t achieved results, is it still possible?  :lol:) His general „obedience“, recall etc  is pretty good.
Thanks! Jayne with „Humphrey“

Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: lescef on January 07, 2019, 01:15:08 PM
We've worked hard on recall and I thought we were doing well, but today on a field we haven't been to for a while neither of them would come back to voice or whistle. With the cocker nose it's always going to be a work in progress!
Loose lead training with Maddie is ongoing but Bramble just ambles at your side.
We walk in the Lakes as often as we can so wait at a distance has become important to stop them getting too far ahead of us or disappearing under gates.
Preventing scavenging when out and door bell manners I manage as best I can!

Bizzy Lizzy - Maddie is eight and I've tried loads of different loose lead methods over the years. However,  we are attending a post gold class and the trainer suggested this. Hold a treat in your fingers then walk with your arm down but out at about 45 degrees from your body so the dog is looking up at the treat. Every so often let the dog jump up as you drop the treat in their mouth. I've put the jump on cue now so she knows not to try jumping all the time. I change sides too so not to strain her neck one way. Dropping the treat successfully takes a bit of practice, but I don't have to bend (which is great!) I'm having more success with this method than any of the others and really it's so simple!
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: Emilyoliver on January 07, 2019, 07:54:53 PM
My aim from day one with my young cocker has been to train him to trial standard. I figure that with that as the ultimate aim, the very worst I’ll end up with is a well trained dog that will be able to work on most shoots either beating or picking up, or both.  He won a working test last year, but it’s been a real challenge steadying him on game as he has a massive drive to chase. Have worked really hard though hunting him up on game every weekend, and he’s had 4 or 5 days out beating this season so far. Made a lot of progress with his steadiness, but have a few issues at the minute with picking warm game (that may be related to the steadiness training). More to work on, but he’s shaping up well so far as a decent working dog. He is a bit of a weirdo  :005:, so has always kept me guessing as far as training is concerned.
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: ips on January 08, 2019, 01:08:10 PM
My only aim is to continue polishing things in order to get her as good as i can but more importantly for me to learn from her.
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: bizzylizzy on January 08, 2019, 05:40:26 PM
........... but more importantly for me to learn from her.

.....and that, in fairness to our dogs who spend their lives watching and trying to analyse us, is really what we all should be doing!   :shades:
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: bmthmark on January 08, 2019, 07:58:27 PM
My training aim is for Jett to improve walking to heel off lead. We are getting there but its a tricky one as he seems to get distracted by different scents.
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: ips on January 09, 2019, 11:48:39 AM
........... but more importantly for me to learn from her.

.....and that, in fairness to our dogs who spend their lives watching and trying to analyse us, is really what we all should be doing!   :shades:

I genuinely believe that any faults she may have and anything that has proven not to be as reliable as one would hope is purely down to my failings to train / proof it better. There is nothing at all wrong with my bitch other than the missfortune of getting lumbered with me 😁 the more i train and or work the more i learn from her 👍
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: Emilyoliver on January 09, 2019, 01:00:46 PM
........... but more importantly for me to learn from her.

.....and that, in fairness to our dogs who spend their lives watching and trying to analyse us, is really what we all should be doing!   :shades:

I genuinely believe that any faults she may have and anything that has proven not to be as reliable as one would hope is purely down to my failings to train / proof it better. There is nothing at all wrong with my bitch other than the missfortune of getting lumbered with me 😁 the more i train and or work the more i learn from her 👍
Just be careful you are learning from/with her and not being trained by her 😜
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: ips on January 09, 2019, 04:34:22 PM
........... but more importantly for me to learn from her.

.....and that, in fairness to our dogs who spend their lives watching and trying to analyse us, is really what we all should be doing!   :shades:

I genuinely believe that any faults she may have and anything that has proven not to be as reliable as one would hope is purely down to my failings to train / proof it better. There is nothing at all wrong with my bitch other than the missfortune of getting lumbered with me 😁 the more i train and or work the more i learn from her 👍
Just be careful you are learning from/with her and not being trained by her 😜

Good and valid point 👍
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: Leo0106 on January 09, 2019, 08:55:15 PM
Long term training goal changes as much as I change my clothes in this house!
We are in a good place with leo (after what feels like a lifetime of challenge)
My current long term goal isn't to train my dog, it's too train my other half!
He's a military man and in the 20 months we've had leo, my partner has spent half the time in another country.. he and leo have a wonderful relationship but he is way too relaxed and not firm enough on a lot of boundaries I have worked hard to put in place.
I find that half the battle is getting everyone in Leo's life on the same page training wise!
Title: Re: Long term training goals
Post by: Ben's mum on January 14, 2019, 04:58:43 PM
I find that half the battle is getting everyone in Leo's life on the same page training wise!

I have this issue, which does make life harder.  On the days Harry comes to work the boundaries around food are different to the ones I have at home. He knows how to work the room and get food and he will do every trick he knows to get someone to handover their lunch.  He also knows who will give in and who won't they are so clever  :luv: