For anyone who's ever welcomed a bouncy, enthusiastic Cocker Spaniel into their life, you'll know that "calm" isn't usually the first word that springs to mind. Our Bella is no exception. This gorgeous girl is full of beans, her tail a permanent blur, and her nose constantly twitching with the promise of adventure. While this zest for life is one of the things we adore about her, it does present its own set of training challenges – particularly when it comes to recall.
Like many dog owners, a reliable recall is top of our priority list. The thought of Bella happily bombing off after a particularly interesting smell (and there are many in our neighbourhood!) fills me with dread. So, we've been diligently working on her "come" command and whistle response, and I wanted to share a little about our journey so far.
Our secret weapon? The humble 30ft training lead. This has been an absolute game-changer in providing Bella with the freedom to explore a little further while still maintaining a crucial line of communication (literally!). It allows us to practice recall in a more realistic outdoor setting without the anxiety of her disappearing over the horizon.
The process has been gradual, and definitely not without its moments of comedic chaos (think a tangle of lead around my legs more times than I care to admit!). We started in quieter, enclosed areas, using high-value treats and enthusiastic praise every time Bella responded to her name, the verbal cue, or the whistle. The long lead meant that even if her attention was momentarily diverted by a particularly enticing blade of grass, I could gently guide her back while still rewarding her for turning her attention to me.
What's been particularly encouraging is seeing Bella start to anticipate the reward. Now, when she hears her name or the first sharp blast of the whistle, her ears prick up, and that wagging tail often makes a beeline back in my direction. Of course, with a young Cocker Spaniel, consistency is key. Even on days when I'm feeling less energetic, we still dedicate time to recall practice. Those ingrained instincts to follow a scent or chase a bird are strong, so reinforcing the recall command in various environments and with increasing distractions is crucial.
We're definitely still on this recall journey. Bella's hyperactive nature means that even with excellent progress, we'll continue to reinforce this vital command for the foreseeable future. It's a marathon, not a sprint! But seeing her respond so well to our calls and the whistle, knowing she's learning to check back in with us even when her adventurous spirit is in full swing, is incredibly rewarding.
For anyone else navigating recall training with a lively pup, especially a Cocker Spaniel, be patient, be consistent, and don't underestimate the value of a long training lead. It's a fantastic tool for building that essential foundation of trust and responsiveness. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be confidently striding across the fells with Bella happily off-lead, her recall as energetic as the rest of her!
Like many dog owners, a reliable recall is top of our priority list. The thought of Bella happily bombing off after a particularly interesting smell (and there are many in our neighbourhood!) fills me with dread. So, we've been diligently working on her "come" command and whistle response, and I wanted to share a little about our journey so far.
Our secret weapon? The humble 30ft training lead. This has been an absolute game-changer in providing Bella with the freedom to explore a little further while still maintaining a crucial line of communication (literally!). It allows us to practice recall in a more realistic outdoor setting without the anxiety of her disappearing over the horizon.
The process has been gradual, and definitely not without its moments of comedic chaos (think a tangle of lead around my legs more times than I care to admit!). We started in quieter, enclosed areas, using high-value treats and enthusiastic praise every time Bella responded to her name, the verbal cue, or the whistle. The long lead meant that even if her attention was momentarily diverted by a particularly enticing blade of grass, I could gently guide her back while still rewarding her for turning her attention to me.
What's been particularly encouraging is seeing Bella start to anticipate the reward. Now, when she hears her name or the first sharp blast of the whistle, her ears prick up, and that wagging tail often makes a beeline back in my direction. Of course, with a young Cocker Spaniel, consistency is key. Even on days when I'm feeling less energetic, we still dedicate time to recall practice. Those ingrained instincts to follow a scent or chase a bird are strong, so reinforcing the recall command in various environments and with increasing distractions is crucial.
We're definitely still on this recall journey. Bella's hyperactive nature means that even with excellent progress, we'll continue to reinforce this vital command for the foreseeable future. It's a marathon, not a sprint! But seeing her respond so well to our calls and the whistle, knowing she's learning to check back in with us even when her adventurous spirit is in full swing, is incredibly rewarding.
For anyone else navigating recall training with a lively pup, especially a Cocker Spaniel, be patient, be consistent, and don't underestimate the value of a long training lead. It's a fantastic tool for building that essential foundation of trust and responsiveness. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be confidently striding across the fells with Bella happily off-lead, her recall as energetic as the rest of her!
Musings on life, local happenings, and the world as seen through my lens. I'm Sean, and this is my little corner of the Internet.