Lachan's progress
- Allie Hogsbjerg
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
It's been a bit of a trying summer. With the heat and hard ground, we have definently had a lack of training opportunties for the young dogs who I hope to compete with this season.
Lachan, our newest member of the team has come on leaps and bounds. I am including two little videos to highlight some of his training this summer. Today he turns six months of age!
So what have I been focusing on these past few months?
Here is my top list:
Safety first - recall, heel work and introduction to the lead. I always teach a puppy to walk to heel off lead, so we do not get the reactive reflex of pull against the lead. The video below shows you how I start this process. We need a strong recall for safety too - you never know whats around the next corner so recall is everything.
Retrieving - To start with, all Lachan's retieving was a game of chase and bring back the ball or dummy. I want to make sure he loves the idea of chasing something to put his drive into his retrieving. So steadiness is only brought in once I have him really keen to retrieve. Delivery wise, I do not go OTT if he drops the ball or dummy. The last thing he needs is any negative pressure around me. We are building a partnership where trust is so important so making the delivery a pressured thing is not going to happen. Training is always progressive and as long as I am patient and clear what I want him to do, the delivery will be good.
Environment and new experiences - Lachan's breeders gave him a wonderful start with some little challenges from three days of age. Combined with his temperament, he copes very well with new environments and experiences. He recently accompanied Howard on a two day training trip away. Up until this time, he had spent time in the dog box when I have been out on the farm training the other boys, but this was a first time away from home. Despite the storms, he did really well. We combined a little training for him on both days - less on the second day as I was conscious that he could mentally be very tired from the new experience.
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