Clicker Training

 Tango and I had so much fun at the Beginner Gun Dog workshop in Virginia over the weekend. It's always fun to spend time with your dog outdoors, and this weekend was no different. The weather was spectacular! And the subject matter and the skills we learned about were so new to us.

I learned a lot at this workshop. First, even though Tango is a natural retriever and loves the water, it takes A LOT more than that to make a good gun dog! The dogs need to be focused on their handler, no matter the terrain (water, marsh, corn field, forest, etc.), or the distractions (horses, off-leash dogs, birds, wild animals, gunshots, wounded birds, etc.).

Just being outdoors was distracting for many of the dogs. Then when we moved into low cover, things got even more distracting for the dogs. So for the first hour or so, we worked with the dogs in the least distracting area – the gravel parking lot. But even that held fascinating scents. We upped the value of our reinforcers (I switched from dehydrated hot dogs to chicken), and also raised the rate of reinforcement (we clicked a lot more, often just because the dog looked in our direction instead of sniffing).

 A good retriever will retrieve anything: car keys, a dead bird, your shoe, a wounded bird, the newspaper, or your slippers. He'll also wait for you to tell him when and where to retrieve the object. And he'll also go straight out, come straight back and deliver that object to your hand (not dropping it when he gets to you).

It's a lot of fine detail, believe me! There are also whistle cues instead of spoken cues when you're working with a gun dog. First of all, your dog may be far away from you so he can't see you or hear your voice. A whistle carries over a long distance. The cues we learned are: 1 whistle pip = sit; two pips = change direction; and three pips = come to me.

Tango has the 1 and 3 pips down just fine. We need to incorporate the 2 pips into his reperatoire. I also, of course, need to work on those new whistle cues in the field, in the woods, on the pavement. It's so much fun to work with your dog.

I love these new challenges, which ultimately lead to new accomplishments.

Some of the best times Tango and I have had together have been training times. Because he was a service dog in training for over a year, we were able to spend a lot of time together. There's something about Tango that cuts right to my core, some kind of special wiring we share. The time we spend together recharges me, makes the day better, reconnects us.

We spent the day in a Beginner Gun Dog workshop. There aren't a lot of positive reinforcement trainers in the gun dog community. So when I got the chance to attend a workshop (in driving distance!), I signed us up quick as a whip. (I'll post pictures in a future post, hopefully.)

We spent the day learning about gun dog training, the skills needed, and how to work on them. What fun we had! Tango's an eager partner and is patient with me as I'm trying to incorporate new skills into our training program.

It feels fantastic to work with him, in tandem, to be learning together. I can't describe the feeling or the experience other than to say I'm on a doggie high at the moment. I can't wait for tomorrow, the second half of the workshop. 

There simply isn't any better way to spend a beautiful fall weekend than outdoors with Tango.

 A tired dog doesn't get into a lot of trouble. Talos, here, is a master at sleeping. But he's got some issues – like pulling on the leash.

But this isn't about Talos.

This is about you. Your dog. Your questions.

What problems would you like help with? What questions would you like answers to?

Leave a comment here on the blog and let me know what's on your mind. I'll look at all the suggestions, then start creating some posts to help answer your questions and solve your problems.

If you're interested in learning more about gun dog/field dog work, have I got the seminar for you! A LOCAL trainer is offering an entire weekend seminar where you can work with your dog to learn the in's and out's of what gun dog and field work is all about.

I'll be there with Tango, my yellow Labrador. We're not hunters, but that's the cool thing about field work: you don't have to actually go out and hunt stuff! I'm always looking for new, fun stuff to do with my dogs (especially Tango) and I'm so excited to be able to do this with him.

This seminar is geared specifically for beginners! We don't know the first thing about field work. But we're willing to learn and have fun.

Here are some details and Reston Dog Training's website with more information. Come join us!

The beginner gun dog weekends are designed to get you and your dog off to a great start.  Here's what you will get:

Day One:
An overview of positive gundog training
Clicker training basics
Foundation training: sit, stay, heel, recall
Scent games
The clicker retrieve

Day Two:
Into the field: adding distance and distractions
Introduction to field training equipment
The Beginner Retriever, Spaniel or Versatile Gundog Test

And in Addition:|
Free continental breakfast and box lunch on day one
Canine social hour
Free autographed copy of Positive Gun Dogs: Clicker Training for Sporting Breeds, the first book on positive gun dog training published in the United States.