Yes, this is of course in the place were I have my dreams, not 'quite' a reality. These photo's were taken the other week at gundog/puppy training school, when 'Daddy' decided he would have a try just to see if it was Custer that was just naughty or me that was just useless.
The verdict was it was Custer who was naughty!!! This was however the class we found Custer had a great interest in the 'dummy' though, which gave us hope (we are always searching for hope).
I have spent all last week, every day (and most of the week before) training Custer in a quiet place. I have taught him to walk with me, find the dummy and retrieve.. At today's class you would have thought I had actually spent the entire two weeks with Custer locked in a cupboard, his behavoir was nothing short of appauling, and very embarrassing to say the least. I really do not 'get it', yes there was distractions in class and a lot of retrieve, but he just reverted back to the dog we brought home from rescue 3 months ago? I know I shouldnt but I am so disappointed.
Totally, back to the beginning yet again tomorrow. I now have to teach him 'LEAVE IT' as he clearly had no idea what that meant today. I have 2 weeks to try drill this into him for next class, as there is no class next week.
This is what we aim for one day............... wonder if we will ever reach that day? of course these dogs have been with their owners since pups, and are well bred gundogs.
Unlike our Custer who is a rescue Labrador, on his fourth home - with no training before us, and one bad home we know of. This week I was trying to execute the flies in the kitchen with a rolled up paper, I had enough of them and the plot was lost! well.............. I ended up having to live with the flies as Custer was in pieces, the rolled up paper had sent him over the edge, he had seen that before and not after flies, the sight of him so scared brought tears to my eyes.
Then, there was yesterday............... in the kitchen........... Custer going totally beserk and barking like mad at the unit base? this went on for sometime, I was convinced we had mice, OH had to go remove the cupboard base to see what was behind it, the culpret for all this fuss??............. was a garlic skin, Custer attacked it with venom, especially when it strayed menacingly towards his Dad.
He still wont let poor Bailey in the car, so we now get him out and put Bailey in, then all is well.
Just as I think things are going quite well, things seem to go backwards? I really don't remember this happening with any of my rescue dogs before, this one really is 'Unique'.
Sorry for absence, been a long four days... Custer and his family have been fund raising for Woof Beginnings, who raise funds for small needy dog rescues. We managed to raise just over £500 which when banked will be donated. The monies raised from the dog show is to be donated to Freshfields our local animal rescue, and our friends at Husky Welfare.
The last few days have been VERY tough going for us all, as nice as it is to have good weather, heat is very tiring for us and the dogs, and the stall was so busy my helper Sylvia and I had barely no time away from it, which sounds good but six hours without a toilet or food break is hard going, and eyes in the back of your head from the 'unpleasant people' who try to steal, or win prizes by dishonesty which is of course STEALING from charities in my book and is also difficult. We REALLY need some more help if we are to do this again later in the year.
I think Custer was ready to drive us home at one spell...
As even the largest of crates is still a bit on the small side for him...
But he did enjoy his small training sessions to stretch his legs, with Daddy...
My favourite thing of the whole weekend was watching this talented man and his gundogs, I only got to watch two displays as I could not get a break from the stall, but I was totally captivated by what I saw, I have always loved to watch a gundog work - it is after all what the breed is for. I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Arthur Telfair (dog trainer) who kindly came to have a look at Custer and has told us we have a tough time ahead but he is a nice dog who can one day become a well behaved nice dog, I am hoping this will be with Arthur's help, he has a great website here with lots of information about how he can help with dog training for dogs like Custer, and gundog work.
http://www.dogtrainingsouthport.com/
Just look at those two (above) should have seen them work for him, and no fear either which does make a nice change to watch.
The money raised from the fun dog show is to be divided between our local animal rescue 'Freshfields' and our friends at 'Husky Welfare'. The rest of the monies raised which was around £450 will be banked this week then donated to a couple of rescue's registered with Woof Beginnings.
By 6.00pm last night the dogs had enough and were ready for home please...
On the whole though, Custer did very well and was certainly a very tired boy last night. So tired we had our second full nights sleep since he arrived which was nice! He has also been pretty quiet today so far. Poor Jaja found it all a bit much today too, he was happy to have a gentle stroll on the beach this morning with Bailey, then come home to sleep on the sofa.
To close, here is Custer doing some obedience work in the ring with Daddy, he can 'sit' at least.... hopefully Arthur is going to teach us some heel work so walkies will be a bit less fraught as that is one of the main problems we are having. A VERY strong dog with no lead training, and a streak of stubborn.
