Trained Retrieve Update

We're still working on Ranger's trained retrieve. Things are starting to really CLICK for him. We've been working on his obedience and that's going really well as well. It's amazing how well things are going now that I've removed the pressure of a deadline from our training. Now that we are back to training being more about fun instead of work, Ranger is becoming more and more enthusiastic about the work.

He's started actively reaching for and picking up retrieving objects, and his sits and downs are really cleaning up nicely. The trick was to introduce competition from the girls and really good treats along with the clicker. Now, instead of trying to sneak out of the area when he realizes that we are going to train, he runs over to our training spot excitedly.

The girls are loving it too. Sue especially, is demanding her share of the training sessions. She's tired of being the odd dog out when it comes to training and has started to really offer some great behaviors while we are training. Ceilidh, while not as confident as the other two dogs, is joining in enthusiastically as well.

On a side note. Today Ranger caught and killed a sparrow and presented me with this wonderful gift. I watched him first point, then stalk the bird, which was on the ground. The poor thing didn't survive the capture. After checking to see what he had caught, I let him keep it. He then paraded his prize before the girls and sort of waited expecting me to take it away. I didn't. I went into the house instead. After a bit, he followed, bird in mouth and gifted me with his prize. He got extra treats for being such a good bird dog.