Natch
Well-Known Member
Hi all
Thanks for the advice doled out a month or two ago, as to how to advise my parents because their black lab bitch chases cats and used agression as a form of defence against dogs she doesn't know. The most striking thing I took away from that thread was to get them to try clicker training again.
Fast forward a few weeks until I saw them again, on holiday again with Bracken. Took her to Dovedale in Derbyshire, where there' is a lovely wide shallow river that dogs are allowed in.
Well. Bracken loves water just as much as any dog can. So she had a GREAT time. So much so that she enjoyed playing with another dog's stick
And was actually being nice and friendly (perhaps she felt less threatened in the water?) Anyway, I knew there was an evil glint in my parent's eyes when they suggested I bring wellies. After we had been there for a while we turned to go home, and The Royal Little Sod effed off back to play with her new buddies 
not such a big deal, but as it turns out, she wouldn't come away from them for love nor money, not even for the darling tennis ball she so loves. Humph. So guess who has to wade in and get her, seeing as I'm the only one in remotely suitable footwear?!
She wasn't having any of that, either. So if the person who owns the other dogs, and was very patient and helpful is reading, then thank you for kindly keeping your dogs under full control in an effort to help me get mine back in some sort of control. Your dogs Well and Truly are a great testament to you, and Bracken was sadly a great embarrassment to us
... And while I'm on the thanking, thanks too, to OAP walking club, who stopped and pointed and laughed their merry a*ses off at the sight of me in a river with my parents all calling this ectatic little dog, who is merrily splashing around with a severe case of CTTLoH: Complete Temporary Total Loss of Hearing. Yoru laughter and jeers REALLY lifted my spirits, as I waded deeper and the stinky river water reached waist height 
Anyway, I did eventually manage to lassoo her with the lead (a feat I am incredibly proud of!) *thanks again, to the gathering onlookers for the big cheer that ensued* and walked her firmly back to the car, even more firmly ON A LEAD this time
Before I get a pasting I must point out she is normally good off the lead, and even though water does sometimes cause CTTLoH, she is usually tempted back by the sight of a tennis ball.
So - cue perfect opportunity to talk to parents about her training. We discuss what they do in many different situations, and I have been giving them less credit then they deserve! They are actually doing alright. Brought up the issue of clicker training again, and get brushed off as "yes, we tried that in training class, but can't see what use it is for us". Then a eureka moment - apaprently for the gold level award they have to teach her a 3 in 1 trick, which they have chosen as 1) fetch a named toy, 2) give and 3)put it back in the toybox. They are struggling' with no. 3 as they can't get her to associate her taking the toy anywhere near the toybox. Eureka! Description of how they can use a clicker to reward exactly that, and, and and a promise that they will give that a go!
Well, I was chuffed, anyway.
Sorry for the long winded post. Just wanted to let off steam about the Dovedale incident, and update you that the parents seem to be listening and progressing with her trainng quite well
Thanks for the advice doled out a month or two ago, as to how to advise my parents because their black lab bitch chases cats and used agression as a form of defence against dogs she doesn't know. The most striking thing I took away from that thread was to get them to try clicker training again.
Fast forward a few weeks until I saw them again, on holiday again with Bracken. Took her to Dovedale in Derbyshire, where there' is a lovely wide shallow river that dogs are allowed in.
Well. Bracken loves water just as much as any dog can. So she had a GREAT time. So much so that she enjoyed playing with another dog's stick
And was actually being nice and friendly (perhaps she felt less threatened in the water?) Anyway, I knew there was an evil glint in my parent's eyes when they suggested I bring wellies. After we had been there for a while we turned to go home, and The Royal Little Sod effed off back to play with her new buddies not such a big deal, but as it turns out, she wouldn't come away from them for love nor money, not even for the darling tennis ball she so loves. Humph. So guess who has to wade in and get her, seeing as I'm the only one in remotely suitable footwear?! She wasn't having any of that, either. So if the person who owns the other dogs, and was very patient and helpful is reading, then thank you for kindly keeping your dogs under full control in an effort to help me get mine back in some sort of control. Your dogs Well and Truly are a great testament to you, and Bracken was sadly a great embarrassment to us
... And while I'm on the thanking, thanks too, to OAP walking club, who stopped and pointed and laughed their merry a*ses off at the sight of me in a river with my parents all calling this ectatic little dog, who is merrily splashing around with a severe case of CTTLoH: Complete Temporary Total Loss of Hearing.
Yoru laughter and jeers REALLY lifted my spirits, as I waded deeper and the stinky river water reached waist height Anyway, I did eventually manage to lassoo her with the lead (a feat I am incredibly proud of!) *thanks again, to the gathering onlookers for the big cheer that ensued* and walked her firmly back to the car, even more firmly ON A LEAD this time
Before I get a pasting I must point out she is normally good off the lead, and even though water does sometimes cause CTTLoH, she is usually tempted back by the sight of a tennis ball.
So - cue perfect opportunity to talk to parents about her training. We discuss what they do in many different situations, and I have been giving them less credit then they deserve!
They are actually doing alright. Brought up the issue of clicker training again, and get brushed off as "yes, we tried that in training class, but can't see what use it is for us". Then a eureka moment - apaprently for the gold level award they have to teach her a 3 in 1 trick, which they have chosen as 1) fetch a named toy, 2) give and 3)put it back in the toybox. They are struggling' with no. 3 as they can't get her to associate her taking the toy anywhere near the toybox. Eureka! Description of how they can use a clicker to reward exactly that, and, and and a promise that they will give that a go! Well, I was chuffed, anyway.Sorry for the long winded post. Just wanted to let off steam about the Dovedale incident, and update you that the parents seem to be listening and progressing with her trainng quite well
entertaining read though 
