Wednesday 29 February 2012

This picture was taken in Scotland - BGD and Zizzy Stardust are very close BUT I would never train 2 dogs together again

Sunday 26 February 2012

Lavender Leez


Training this BGD drives me mad.  Today we were in North Essex with the http://www.unitedretrieverclub.co.uk/essex1. Great training and today - what a beautiful Spring day.  2 week ago I was there in thick snow!
Working BGD from a distance is so frustrating, when BGD is showing off nose down working the other side of the field to where she needs to be and saying that she is the boss |I need to get going to get my sprinting shoes on and get after her!! Me versus the BGD!! Oh dear ....
Practice this week with the whistle sit if I can overcome that then we are on the road, not sure where to but hey we will be on the next step.

Now the best way to train BGD to whistle sit is ??

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Where I train

I take my dogs down to http://www.visitparks.co.uk/placestovisit/hadleighcountrypark.php where the Olympic mountain biking will take place in 2012.  The area is astounding overlooking the Thames Estuary with Kent over the river London to my right and Southend on sea to my left, on my special walks there is a hill where you feel you are on top of the world.  The trees wave to you in the wind when you stroll down towards the marsh land.  The cows sometimes take the opportunity to follow your steps which can be worrying BUT good practise for Black Gun Dog.
Here we are able to enjoy marking, water work, control as other walkers go by, I can send BGD from one side of a field down a Valley and up the other side while having her in my sight all the time.  Yes this area is special and a great place to train my dog 5 minutes from where I live .
Today I have noticed the bluebells pushing through confirming Spring is on its way.

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Valentines Day

Okay, today we started with our heel work whilst walking towards our training ground.  BGD (black gun dog) wanted to edge her nose in from of my knee,  OH how many times will she walk just that one step ahead of me!  Keep positive, lead around the back and pull her close to that left leg.  
On the training ground BGD enjoyed too much freedom and I not enough control I must remember to work her within the 5 yard radius then move out wider. 1 step at a time