I have been so lucky with Sandy. She has been very responsive to my training and apart from the general puppy nipping and an occasional attack of the crazies, a dream dog to own and train. I've worked with dogs for a number of years but this is the first puppy I have raised and think I have learnt as much from her, as she has learnt from me. She is so switched on that she often learns new tricks without me being aware I taught them to her. Of course she also learns bad habits as quickly and easily as she learns good ones.
Today was no exception.
This morning was Sandy's penultimate puppy class. I met my other half and Sandy there as I work just across the road. When I arrived he was looking very flustered and explained that Sandy had done a runner out the front door as they were leaving to meet me. She has great door manners, and will sit and wait at door for as long as you ask her too, but OH just walked out expecting her to wait at the door whilst he put her crate i the boot but, having not been told to wait, she was off!
When she wouldn't come back to him calling her, he spent 15 minutes chasing her round the block instead of using the 'emergency' whistle. She thought it was a great game and every time he got close enough to catch her, she shot off. When he eventually stopped chasing her and turned to head home and phone me, she trotted after him.
When it came to Sandys turn to practice her normally faultless recall in the puppy class, I confidently told the instructor we would be okay without the long line but thankfully, left her lead on. She sat and waited beautifully. I called her to me, she came running up to me, she dutifully sat down in front of me, I bent down to get the lead and off she dashes!
Doodle dashing her way round all the puppies, then invades the junior class, saying hello to everyone as she goes but bolting away just as they get close enough to grab the lead.
Thankfully I have the whistle at hand and she comes back to it, gets her bit of cheese and lets me pick up the lead.
Stupid me for not realising that the mornings antics would turn recall training into a great game of catch me if you can! So its back to basics for me and Sandy. Have just ordered a long line for some intensive recall training. And this time i'll remember to teach the OH door manners, and what to do when things don't go to plan.
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