Dog Community

Training off wildlife

Posted : 3/21/2012 9:55:08 AM

I would love to hear ideas about training off wildlife using whatever technique you think would work (or has worked for you). All ideas are welcome. The idea is to get the dog to not go into the chase in the face of an animal that has been flushed and then takes off.

DougB

Posted : 3/21/2012 10:08:03 AM

Guys running pointers teach a "whoa" command using check cords. Spaniels are taught to "hup" or sit at the flush, until released to retrieve or watch the bird fly off. Piper, having seen me miss, just catches the bird and retrieves from there. Very embarrassing. From what I've read, teaching a strong "whoa" or "hup" in the yard using check cords (probably with an assistant)' then a shock collar in the field results in excellent behavior with game. I lucked out with Piper. She doesn't chase animals bigger than she is (deer, geese) and use of "NO" many times has taught her to leave rabbits alone. Squirrels are still a problem.

Jewlieee

Posted : 3/21/2012 11:18:12 AM

What is a check cord? I will have to look that up. I had abbie chase a turkey last night, which really ticked me off. She wears a bell while searching in order to warn off most critters so we don't have the chasing thing going on but this turkey was slow and dumb apparently. She came within about 3 ft of it when we both noticed it and off they both went. So, I need to figure out how to proof her off the chase. With a herding dog who naturally perks up when things run, this is going to be pretty difficult.

shadowsgin

Posted : 3/21/2012 12:34:03 PM

I use the leave it command with Rocky....Drop it if it is already in his mouth. I have been using these commands since he was a puppy and it usually works. He does however have that extreme focus problem that sometimes gets him in trouble cause he just ignores everything around him except the task of getting the varmit. If I can break his focus then he will always obey.

JackieG

Posted : 3/21/2012 1:28:57 PM

A check cord is just a lead and the length can vary depending on the trainer. It's a terminology thing. lol Whoa training is more about teaching a staunch point so the dog doesn't rush in and flush the birds. Pointers aren't supposed to flush birds, unlike the spaniels who are taught 'whoa' to allow the hunter to move in close enough to shoot. Whoa and hup are just bird dog terms and they both mean 'stay'.

I'd work on her recall, Julie. I know, I know, easier said than done with some dogs.

4HAND

Posted : 3/21/2012 2:24:20 PM

Maybe you could start training her as a herder on geese.She could watch the other dogs and learn a lye down command.Noel was never formally trained to herd but when I see the seagulls out in the hay fields we go out and practice.I never needed a cord for Noel but perhaps you would at first.Working with livestock would help her self control and get her to look at turkeys as a job and not a super fun game.

Tena

Jewlieee

Posted : 3/22/2012 7:50:44 AM

Hmmm that is a thought. When i worked her in herding before though she gets so excited she shakes waiting for the release. But i never go to the point of the lie down with her (did with neiko but she was too young at the time, we were only doing baby stuff).

kpwlee

Posted : 3/22/2012 12:00:50 PM

Julie it might be worth teaching 'whoa' as a specific command that means to 'stay' in the face of something interesting (wildlife)

There are a variety of ways to use a check cord aka long lead some of which include wrapping around the dog in various ways to make it harder for them to bolt. Others teach it on a table or a barrel and make it so they can't leave the platform. I am sure you can google whoa table and find stuff

Another idea is perhaps using a whistle - I taught B a whistle stop (1 tweet) in which he is to either whoa or sit and he has a whistle here (2 tweets) that means head back now. I hadn't done those in ages but I always have a whistle when he's off lead (and an e-collar) and last week we had an intense meeting with a herd of deer and the whistle worked great - a few weeks back we had a deer episode and he responded to the whistle after blowing off the e-collar so for now its my go to.

i don't actually know why he is responding so well to it LOL

Here's last weeks account http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/2012/03/hot-damn.html

debbieStx

Posted : 3/23/2012 5:32:51 AM

I also think that herding training might help! Chasing birds and rabbits is a puppy behaviour with my dogs. They give it up when we start work with sheep. Rabbits and pheasant are routinely flushed, and ignored when we're in the field. My Glory is very motion reactive and when we aren't working she will eyeball rabbits, but responds to a leave it command. Lots of recalls and praise with ever increasing distractions should help too

Jewlieee

Posted : 3/23/2012 5:26:21 PM

Yeah, this has me thinking. I worked this dog as a pup on sheep but not long enough to get into actual commands. I can see where working her again would add a level of control that we are lacking. It's a delicate balance though. I have to keep sar work her most important/highest reward activity.