Lottie's Diary - training diary of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Earlier in the week I decided to try out the check cord whilst Lottie was retrieving. She had been running in the field trailing a check cord for nearly two weeks now and was completely oblivious to it. I had not touched it in any way at all. Her recall, even when mildly distracted continues to be excellent.

For the first ‘assisted’ retrieve, I sat on the grass with Lottie on my lap, and holding the loose end of the cord threw the dummy a short way. Lottie darted after it and began to return. Instead of walking away as I usually do, I remained seated and watched her. As usual, Lottie decided sharing was really not a good idea and turned away. I started to gently reel her in, and then sat her on my lap with the dummy in her mouth just stroking her until she started to loosen her grip. I then threw the dummy a short way again. I did this three times on the first day, and four times on the second. At the end of the second session, I had a feeling she was showing an interest in coming back and need less encouragement with the check cord. But I wasn’t certain

Today Lottie and I set off around the meadow again and I threw the dummy for her. I made off quickly, walking away and she soon caught me up, I crouched down and she came right in close holding the dummy quite loosely this time rather than gripping it tightly as she had been doing. After a few moments of quiet stroking, I threw the dummy again. This time there was no hesitation, she came straight back with it into my arms.

Whether or not my two sessions of bringing her in with the check cord had any effect, or whether she would have decided to bring me the dummy anyway this soon, I cannot say for sure. But there is no doubt that the check cord gave me the chance, albeit a brief one, of showing Lottie that the retrieving game doesn’t end if she brings me the dummy back.

Whatever the reason, it is always great to make a little progress. Of course tomorrow may bring another problem, or the same one may reappear. But that’s puppies for you! Today, all is well, and Lottie and I have all the time in the world to build our partnership together.

Another visit to the railway station, this time at ground level. As you can see, Lottie is very attentive, a nice quality in a puppy.

I was outwitted by a three month old puppy!

On the third day, my cunning plan fell apart. Lottie cleverly decided to pick up the dummy then lie down on the cord and roll on her back, playing with the dummy with her feet. Outwitted by a three month old pup, I removed the check cord and decided that it was back to the old fashioned system of just walking away, over and over, until the pup gets bored and comes in, with or without the dummy.

The following day, Lottie and I had our usual stroll in the meadow, me changing direction every few seconds and her following behind, running a little way past me, and then running after me again. After a short while, I threw the dummy and prepared myself for several minutes of walking away, and walking away some more with the pup trotting a little way behind me.

As soon as I had thrown the dummy, I set off in the opposite direction and to my surprise a few seconds later a little shadow was trotting along right next to me with the dummy in her mouth. I sat down on the ground (this is usually her cue to dance out of reach), and in she came, plonked herself in my lap and virtually placed the dummy in my hand. Of course, I had to repeat the throw to reward her, though it was very tempting to stop there on a successful note. A second throw and exactly the same result. That time I did put the dummy away, and we had a long cuddle.

This week I have taken Lottie to a number of busy places to meet people and take in more new experiences. The railway station and the trains were a little different from ground level, but she took it all in her stride. Buses and lorries don't worry her, but she seems a little fearful of small children shrieking and racing about, so I will have to try and find a few more for her to meet.

In addition to our daily visit to the meadow, we continue to practice 'sit' in the yard each day. Each session lasts a couple of minutes, and I simply walk her around on the lead, asking her to sit every few steps. Occasionally I make her wait three or four seconds before moving one. Nothing stressful or complicated. We finish up with a cuddle and her meal.

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