Otto has now done his second retrieve!

[kirstyhen]

Another Myxy Bun, this time long dead (was all cold and stiff

)
He was hunting around and suddenly popped out with a rabbit in his gob, trotted straight up to me, released it when I asked and forgot about it as soon as it was in my hand!!

I have done no retrieving with him (as he couldn't give a stuff it it isn't a dead animal!) he is doing this all by himself, and I am chuffed

Starting to have so much more control over him, not just recall, but staying close and stopping him

He'll make a working dog yet!!

We are working on the swimming too, he is gradually getting braver.

Until I get there with him I don't think his paws will leave the ground, so all suggestions of places with still-ish water that is deep enough for a big Springer Spaniel to swim but safe enough for me to paddle gratefully recieved. We're in Gloucestershire.

The beach doesn't really work, he'll follow me in, but the waves unsettle him and I want him to want to swim!

 

[GinaB]

Go Otto! I really hope he makes it as a working dog

I think he'd be fabby!

 

[kirstyhen]

We still have moments of "I know best, leave me alone" but they are declining!
He is really starting to fill out too, he is starting to be a right chunky monster

Just growing up all round really

 

[GinaB]

Up until the day he died Windsor went by 'I know best'

Ah he's all growed up

 

[kirstyhen]

I don't think Otto will ever lose his independant streak, but at least his instinct is to work properly, not run in a straight line for miles

We will definately need to get him in a Game Pen before he starts working, steadiness is not his strong point! He stays for so long and then he just can't take it any longer!

 

[k9h]

Fantastic well done Otto!

Which mine was as easy to train! Well she is really just her doppy owner!

You will have to come & visit Quail & they can go for a swim in the river! Is very safe & deep for them to swim but you can paddle should you feel the need!

Have you ever had him out swimming with an older experienced dog? Sorry not seen if you have or not before? Might just give him the confidence from the other dog?

 

[kirstyhen]

He has been out a couple of times with other dogs swimming, he either a) gets scared of the dismemebered head bobbing around, b) stands staring at them but too afraid to leave shore, or c) ignores them completely

He is a big wuss!

I have been wading through the pond with him (it's a huge pond, with a water jump at one end) which has helped make him braver, but it just doesn't go deep enough for his legs to leave the ground!

Going to see about taking him beating one day this season (if my Parent's let me and arent' too ashamed of their Daughter's Unruly Hound

) but keeping him on his lead. He has done lots of sitting around waiting training and doesn't make a peep, so he should be ok!

 

[Puppy]

Bless him! What a clever boy

Would he like to teach Popple?!

 

[Spudlet]

You need to go and nick the water jump at Badminton

I'm so jealous of you having a retrieving spangle - clever Otto! Henry is hopeless, he runs round and round and round waving whatever he has at you - this is quite stressful when what he has is a mixy bunny and it's still alive

I'm hoping that the gundog people he's staying with this weekend will have him fully trained for me by the time I get back tomorrow