There goes my Avatar again!!!
Vicky!!! I said I was sorry!! I dint know he was a inocent!!----Really!
Gooser (HMMM,,, Grape flavored goose pooooooo)
Goose poop - why is it so tasty to a dog?
I posted this over on another board a couple of weeks ago and got one response (good advice, but always open for more) so I'm hoping for some more input.
Just a little background - This is my third Lab pup, now 19 weeks old. My first was not a hunting dog, had little retrieving desire, and was a great pet for 15 years. I did get her to be a good upland dog, she would handle some, and retrieve anything that had feathers. Otherwise, fetch was not in her. My second was a great little FT pup that was only with us for a few weeks last summer from the age of 12 to 18 weeks. Amazing little dog with incredible desire, had her running doubles, playing baseball, simple blinds, and 100 yd singles under control at that young age. Show her once and she got it. Unfortunately, she had a cancer tumor and went back to the breeder. And then there is this one out of FT and HT background. At 19 weeks she has "forgotten" everything from obedience training I've given her since 9 weeks and it coincides with the spring time emergence of animal droppings. So here goes:
One problem with living in the perfect spot to raise a retriever is having up to 100 geese on your front lawn from April to November. They're out on the ice right now and will be on the lawn as soon as the snow melts. Any suggestions on how to prevent pup from eating the tootsie rolls they leave behind? Is this something an e-collar would help? I plan to get a collar later and get some help in the proper use, but wonder if this might be a case for getting it now. Pup is only 4 months old right now, so probably too early? She certainly knows "No!", but also knows the value of putting distance between us to get away with non-compliance. The same yard full of goose poop is also the yard and beach where we train, so getting this through her head is a big deal for me. I'm not a vet, but I can't imagine eating goose droppings is good for a dog and it sure doesn't make you want a kiss!
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Just a little background - This is my third Lab pup, now 19 weeks old. My first was not a hunting dog, had little retrieving desire, and was a great pet for 15 years. I did get her to be a good upland dog, she would handle some, and retrieve anything that had feathers. Otherwise, fetch was not in her. My second was a great little FT pup that was only with us for a few weeks last summer from the age of 12 to 18 weeks. Amazing little dog with incredible desire, had her running doubles, playing baseball, simple blinds, and 100 yd singles under control at that young age. Show her once and she got it. Unfortunately, she had a cancer tumor and went back to the breeder. And then there is this one out of FT and HT background. At 19 weeks she has "forgotten" everything from obedience training I've given her since 9 weeks and it coincides with the spring time emergence of animal droppings. So here goes:
One problem with living in the perfect spot to raise a retriever is having up to 100 geese on your front lawn from April to November. They're out on the ice right now and will be on the lawn as soon as the snow melts. Any suggestions on how to prevent pup from eating the tootsie rolls they leave behind? Is this something an e-collar would help? I plan to get a collar later and get some help in the proper use, but wonder if this might be a case for getting it now. Pup is only 4 months old right now, so probably too early? She certainly knows "No!", but also knows the value of putting distance between us to get away with non-compliance. The same yard full of goose poop is also the yard and beach where we train, so getting this through her head is a big deal for me. I'm not a vet, but I can't imagine eating goose droppings is good for a dog and it sure doesn't make you want a kiss!
Any suggestions are appreciated.
21 - 34 of 34 Posts
There goes my Avatar again!!!
Vicky!!! I said I was sorry!! I dint know he was a inocent!!----Really!
Gooser (HMMM,,, Grape flavored goose pooooooo)
As Chris said, obedience is at the foundation. Just from what I've read, it sounds like pup has you whipped and wrapped around its paw.btbrown said:Sounds like I'll just have to live with it for now. All her obedience has gone right down the drain in the past two weeks...
Even her house manners have taken a huge step backwards....
Distractions can serve as one excuse; what's the excuse for the drop in house manners? You got goose poop in the living room?
Either way, obedience is at the root. Pup has figured out how to turn you off.
Then don't do any training without the leash. Heel her butt around the yard and through as much poop as possible. Don't let her drop her head to sniff, lick or eat anything. When she does, give a pop of the lead and change direction.btbrown said:I can't do any training whatsoever without her on a leash or check cord...
If you can't control her right next to you, you won't be able to control her at 50, 60, or 100 yards. It's just a matter of time before the wheels come off and you have to start over with OB; do it now.
How so? Dropping your standards isn't going to make her respond any better. See the first comment above: "Pup has figured out how to turn you off."btbrown said:I think a short break will do us both some good until she comes around.
Why would she "come around"? She's getting what she wants without having to do a thing. she gets fed, walked, loved on, etc. What's going to happen when you put the pressure of basic OB back on? Or the pressure of FF or any other training that requires compliance? She's going to do exactly what worked to get her out of the situation the last time.
How was it taking you backwards? What was the dog doing? Perhaps it was really taking you backwards, but perhaps it was an escape response (and one that worked if it was...)btbrown said:I started some fairly harsh discipline with a crack on the butt with a thin rope (I don't have a heeling stick) for the NO! commands on the poop, and sharp snaps on the collar or leash and rough handling for sit, stay, come. But quickly realized that was also taking us backwards, so we just go on pleasure walks on leash for a week or so.
If pup's attention isn't on you, you're not doing your OB correctly. It can be tough but don't lower your standards, raise them up and hold the dog accountable. Distance at this stage doesn't matter. Keep pup's attention on you and work heel right in the yard. If her head drops pop the lead and change direction (turning away from her, into her and 180-degrees). Desensitize her to the poop; make it not worth her time and effort when she's working.
It can be tough, but stick with it.
Good luck!
P.S.
Just re-read the post and saw pup is JUST 5 months old. Still a pup; don't expect too much too soon...
btb,btbrown said:Thanks! Not so much thick skin as having a sense of humor.Well, welcome to RTF and thanks for having a thick skin
I'm about 2 hours west of VT. Checking on local clubs, I am about the same distance to Hudson Highlands, Leatherstocking, and Champlain RC, all about 2 1/2 hours.ps- how close to Vermont are you?
Shame....back when I was in Queensbury, we had a NAHRA club called WIA (the Waterfowl Improvement Association). The club is still alive, but I believe they got out of the dog game business and are sticking to banding ducks, putting up woodie boxes, etc.
We were CLOSE to you!
On the subject, however, I have a question for the Dr. Ed or any other of the vets out there... is it harmful for the dogs to eat the goose poop?
I've read that eating herbivore droppings (cattle, deer, elk, etc) can actually be good for them, but not sure about waterfowl and potential bacteria that could cause illness...
I've read that eating herbivore droppings (cattle, deer, elk, etc) can actually be good for them, but not sure about waterfowl and potential bacteria that could cause illness...
Tellus and Tracy are at the house and half his truck rolled in the goose poop field. Nothing like a truck load of dogs full of cackler crap....course between his dogs and my dogs the farmer should be a lot happier...
/Paul
/Paul
SloppyMouth,
I read somewhere (Wolters I think) that pups often go into a short phase where they turn into typical teenagers, but fortunately grow out of it. I saw it clear as a bell with the pup I had last summer at 16 weeks. About 10 days later, it was like you threw a switch, all the obedience came back and retrieving desire was tripled.
Anyway, thanks for the detailed response. All training is now on the leash, using a lot more praise again rather than pressure and getting her back on track. The backward trend I thought was happening coincided with longer sessions and increased pressure, with me pushing to try to get to a successful command to end the session. I still let her run free on our walks when everything isn't all mud, she stays close and just gets to be a pup, but don't give any commands. When I stop, she comes back to me to see what is going on and that is when I play a little and then get her back on the line.
My bigger concerns are developing the retrieving desire. I keep it separate and fun, fun, fun. Some days only a couple of throws, other days 10 or 12 as far as I can throw them. I just try to judge when she is starting to get distracted and quit while she is still wanting more.
Thanks - Brad
And there you go...I think I have been expecting too much.P.S.
Just re-read the post and saw pup is JUST 5 months old. Still a pup; don't expect too much too soon...
I read somewhere (Wolters I think) that pups often go into a short phase where they turn into typical teenagers, but fortunately grow out of it. I saw it clear as a bell with the pup I had last summer at 16 weeks. About 10 days later, it was like you threw a switch, all the obedience came back and retrieving desire was tripled.
Anyway, thanks for the detailed response. All training is now on the leash, using a lot more praise again rather than pressure and getting her back on track. The backward trend I thought was happening coincided with longer sessions and increased pressure, with me pushing to try to get to a successful command to end the session. I still let her run free on our walks when everything isn't all mud, she stays close and just gets to be a pup, but don't give any commands. When I stop, she comes back to me to see what is going on and that is when I play a little and then get her back on the line.
My bigger concerns are developing the retrieving desire. I keep it separate and fun, fun, fun. Some days only a couple of throws, other days 10 or 12 as far as I can throw them. I just try to judge when she is starting to get distracted and quit while she is still wanting more.
Thanks - Brad
I know you didn't. And I wouldn't have tried it without some hot sauce anyway! All fun!I's SORRY!!
I dint realise You was a newbe!!
But I dint tell yas to go eat sh!#
I figure with a name like Gooser you should be an authority on goose poop.
Gun Dog 2002 - where in the Mohawk valley are you?
btbrown said:SloppyMouth,
.P.S.
Just re-read the post and saw pup is JUST 5 months old. Still a pup; don't expect too much too soon...
QUOTE:I read somewhere (Wolters I think) that pups often go into a short phase where they turn into typical teenagers, but fortunately grow out of it. I saw it clear as a bell with the pup I had last summer at 16 weeks. About 10 days later, it was like you threw a switch, all the obedience came back and retrieving desire was tripled.QUOTE
Be very careful with that line of thought. I too believed at 5 months we had just hit a "phase" and let my pup buffalo me almost to the point of no return. I am a first timer with anything other than a pet lab. At a very bright and precocious 10 weeks, he learned all basic ob, sit, stay, down, leave it, here and had more drive and desire than I have ever seen. Right at 5 months he overnight became a little monster. It would take me 15 minutes to a half hour just to corral him to get him back into the house or car. He started dragging me every time I put the leash on. So I did the worst thing possible, and dropped back on my demands and let him run around like an idiot. When I finally realized that he wasnt going to "switch back on" he was a big 9 month old high energy dog. Right around that time I started getting some advice on this and other boards and realized the error of my ways. Because he DID understand the commands, as proven earlier, he now needed pressure and force to comply. I started with a prong collar just to get him back to where he did not drag me and revisited all the earlier lessons. I then went out and bought Lardy's collar conditioning video, and watched it about 10 times before starting with my dog. Thank God, it worked. I think another few weeks of his wildness would have left him incurable. We still have control and manners issues to this day, as he is constantly testing the waters to see if he can once again take over the reins. I find that I have to be far harsher on him than I would have if I had never let things go so far. Fortunately, he IS a smart dog, and his style and marking are great enough to keep me trying. When he gets it right, boy is it right. But when he makes a fool of me, I can only, sadly, point the finger right at myself! BTW, he is now 21 months old and just now getting ready for his first JH Test. Lots of wasted time! (I take that back, loving a good dog, and spending time training, even when you make mistakes, is NEVER a waste of time).
That's why I posted it, to see if anyone had different experiences I should be aware of.Be very careful with that line of thought. I too believed at 5 months we had just hit a "phase" and let my pup buffalo me almost to the point of no return.
We are back to sit, stay, come, heel on a short leash without the pressure and back to praise, and she is doing much better on all the commands. She's not getting away with anything, I think I might have pushed too hard too soon. Main focus I'm concerned with is retrieving desire, I'm trying to stick to the "less is more" theory and making what we do as fun as possible. Also have teeth falling out and coming in right now, so who knows?
Thanks for the advice.
Brad
About a mile up from where the Mohawk dumps into the Mckenzie river...btbrown said:Gun Dog 2002 - where in the Mohawk valley are you?
/Paul
Huh, I didn't even know there was another Mohawk Valley in the US, but I see your Mohawk is way out there in Oregon. I've been as far west as Idaho, would love to get all the way out the Pacific NW some day. Looks like beautiful country.About a mile up from where the Mohawk dumps into the Mckenzie river...
I'd just stop for a couple of weeks until those teeth come in. Those gums are sore. It bothers some dogs more than others and since her desire is down, I'd just stop and wait until those teeth come in and then start up again with a few...also can try putting some feathers on the bumpers or using tennis balls to make it more fun/interesting/etc for her. Variety is the spice of life, as they say...btbrown said:I'm trying to stick to the "less is more" theory and making what we do as fun as possible. Also have teeth falling out and coming in right now, so who knows?
Just a quick update on my rough patch of training a couple of weeks ago. I backed off for a few days and now we are back at it with everything on the leash unless within the confines of the garage where I can keep control. Much better behavior, getting better compliance with each day. I suspect it was as much due to my change in attitude (maybe mostly due) as it was her going through a phase of sorts. Gotta run to work!Be very careful with that line of thought. I too believed at 5 months we had just hit a "phase" and let my pup buffalo me almost to the point of no return. I am a first timer with anything other than a pet lab.
Thanks to all for the advice, I'm feeling better about the training.
Brad
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