It doesn't always go according to plan! Missy again recognises when it's her turn and doesn't wait to be called. In all fairness Luna is new to this and did well to wait so long. We absolutely didn't expect Clyde to break though!! He's such an awesome guy usually, so we let this blip slide ๐๐
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
These dogs really have over achieved with this! I have deliberately put them in the order that would be most challenging too. I knew out of all of them that Estrella and Tessa would find this the easiest, so called them first! Next Jake who knows this well, but doing it in the woods really upped the difficulty and distraction levels for him. Millie is not good at holding a sit if other dogs are moving, so it took a few attempts! And I knew that Jaco's huge FOMO would mean being left until last would be really tough for him! I'm so pleased with them all ๐
And no Billie meant I had to balance my phone on a log which was a whole other challenge ๐
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
www.heartofthepack.co.uk
I really enjoyed this afternoon's group, a fabulous set of dogs who are always looking at me and asking how they may be helpful!
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
Time to go home!
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
It was a proud parent moment when Billie sent me this video! Whilst house/dog sitting at the weekend, she was tasked with moving the geese off the football pitch by the lake in Lydney. The dogs belong to a long term client and we've known them for a number of years, they aren't trained working dogs, and have never done anything like this before! But because of the relationship they have with Billie, she is able to communicate to them that they have a job to do, and so they do it brilliantly just to please her!! ๐๐
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
Billie here again!
Estrella and I have recently discovered "Monday challenges" on Instagram made by @tomcantwellgundogs and @skeneparkgundogs, and we've been giving them a go!
They're fun, give you ideas for things to do with your dog to strengthen that bond, and there's no preasure to do them if you can't.
This particular one was sitting your dog up, walk away a few steps, throw a dummy (or ball, like in Estrellas case) to both sides of the dog, then send your dog for the FIRST one you threw. Most dogs will try to go after the second one as that's the most exciting one at the moment.
I spent a while having to stop Estrella from going to the wrong one, this definitely wasn't our first attempt! I'm so proud of her as she's almost 10, and a far cry from a gundog, but she's all I've got, and we enjoyed the challenge together.
If you have a go, let us know how you get on!
โค๏ธ๐๐พ
Waiting to get in the van
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
An enjoyable afternoon walk with these wonderful dogs who just LOVE to be clever and to please!!
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
Friday morning Roll call!! ๐
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
A late request for an extra walk for Jaco and Luna today, meant that we had 6 Labradors this afternoon, I think that's the most labs we've had at one time, so far! They are certainly a favourite of mine. Somebody said to me recently that Labs are born half trained! And I have to agree, they like nothing better than to be useful, I send them into the bracken to search and they'll find a plastic bottle to bring back and hand over to me, really pleased with themselves! Wonderful easy dogs and I'm really lucky to have so many to enjoy.
Left to right.., Luna, Finn, Jaco, Reggie, Monty, Clyde and the awesome little things Missy and Estrella!
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
Yay.., Pip finally stays put! Huge win!! ๐ฅณ๐
I'm loving Estrella's wayward ear ๐
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ
Roll call!
Aren't they clever?!
โฅ๏ธ๐๐พ