retrieving

guy · retrieving

I feel a little wary of posting this - the new puppy has the reverse problem to Sue's, namely she will pick up anything. Items around the house from things raided from the cardboard recycling pile to charcoal out of the fire, bottles of bathroom cleaner, shoes, their inners, all manner of items that have been lost from before her residence. A sponge stands no chance of a long life. At work she is not content with moving offcuts around but will nick screws, small tools, lead offcuts, bring in stones, empty the bin, reduce pencils to splinters and biros to their component parts.

All these are gratefully received, praised and returned if of safe play value. I don't want to loose this attribute so the question is should I encourage and praise or just accept?

windem bang

I would say accept it Guy -UNLESS you can prevent her from picking up the object in the first place. She is demonstrating Bucks behaviour to a T.
You know the problems I got because Buck got messed about with while carrying an object.

Bill T.

guy

Yes - I have already instructed the chaps at work to call her to them and how to ask for the object and how to praise her for it and on no account lunge after it!! Julia still finds it quite hard to stay so calm when her mascara has been chewed apart on the bed or her last contact lens case has been made flat.

munstyman

Having just been given a `sheep' (piece of vet bed) for the umpteenth time since I sat down with this computer, and made silly appreciative noises to my puppy ( albeit 6yrs old) how could I say anything other than except it as a gift, to me it shows more than just a retrieving instinct it shows TRUST Cool

.
As I get older I seem less inclined to be diplomatic when people give me things I don't really need or want. So my reaction tells it how I see it Shocked

And this tends to be the same with my dogs, I will always say `thankyou' as thats just good manners, but I'll give a more enthusiastic response for something that I want more off Wink

In this respect I find dogs much more perceptive than other family members Confused

Peter

Helen S

Funny you have that problem Guy. My "puppy" of two years old will always pick up a shoe or her blanket or anything else clothing related to bring to us when we return from any absence. But when she thinks I have been on the computer for too long and she wants attention she selects something far more "interesting" which will get my attention, usually from the bin or paper related that she can shred up if I don't go through the retrieve routine with her.

Helen S

lagopuslagopus

That's what I get with all of mine Guy. I would make use of it as I think it makes it so easy to get a good present. (I just get the things brought to me without being chewed first though!) You can introduce the sit to present and it will become such a habit that she will carry it over into the field. The more I get the longer the washing up takes so when number four arrives I won't stand a chance!

guy

Karen, number four ??? when who etc etc?.

Helen, Catja's answer to the computer is toleap into my lap un announced. Paws all out a bit like a cat. I then have to spend a few minutes putting the keys carefully back onto the keyboard Smile

Ghilliegumdrop

Merlin does this as well..trouble is he doesn't want to give them up and short of forcing him to or ignoring him what do I do Question

He will carry things around all the time in the house but when I tried him out in the field and he retrieved one dummy [with fur]then said go get it yourself Exclamation

Mike

Yep, Harley does similar but thankfully doesn't chew. I've always assumed it is a small amount of attention seeking on the dogs behalf but have always been inclined to encourage it. Less than thrilled when I get given badly decomposed bits of rabbit and deer but try really hard to be pleased! Smile

As he has got older i've tried to direct him towards safe objects (shoes for example) and discourage things that can be damaged (although he still likes to take wallets, keys and mobile phones off to where he sleeps Rolling Eyes

)

sako75

I can identify with all of the above posts. Millie will always present me with a "present" when I get home from work , be it a slipper / a rawhide chew......etc etc. I always encourage her no matter what the object and she will always willingly deliver the object to hand in return for lots of praise albeit through gritted teeth at times such as the cordless phone which is getting tattier by the day - I am surprised it still works !!!

Barry.

windem bang

Hi Barry - Thought you'd buggered off into the sunset !!! Laughing

Bill T.

sako75

Still here Bill keeping in touch !!

Training is ongoing in TOTAL SECRECY............................. Rolling Eyes

planning to start a new diary once I get time. Time is VERY limited at the moment but I need to keep the training up as I have been missing it SO much. Even if I only spend a quick half hour or so every day , this is enough to get me out into the fresh air and take my mind off the pressures of work etc.

I am actually off the rest of the week to sort a few things out , so hopefully I can get out with Mills for a few sessions !!!! Still plenty birds on the go at mine so I will be out getting some pointing practice in before the breeding season starts.

Sorry for interupting Guy Embarassed

Barry.

guy