well, what a productive day! (maybe)

[morethanyoubargainfor]

today my rescue lurcher has learned how to 'speak' on command. This is really good for him as we have had him 4 months and when he came to us he didn't even know his name. Now he has
100% recall,
sit
down
wait
over (used at kerb side)
he will sit and wait at food time whilst we walk around the house and he waits until we tell him before he eats (this is massive for him as he was a stray for a few months and VERY into food)
off (to get off couch)
in your bed
quiet
fetch/bring it here (the only time this doesn't work is if he has caught something, only happened twice)
and finally settle down.

It doesn't seem like much written there but i am so proud of him.
My other lad tries to keep up but he really doesn't have much in the brain department! although he does search and find (if the mood takes him) he is far too superior for all that training malarky .
He is an equally good boy and does all the basics but nothing much more than that!

Sounds like you're doing a fab job.

Along with all the basics my collie x has learn 'back' to reverse so I can open the door and go through first and 'piss off' to go away. Obviously learnt not taught

actually both of my boys know 'bog off' they both instantly go and lay in thier beds! i am equally about that.

i have just been thinking he knows a few more commands that i can't be bothered to write down so he has done really really well.

He's done brilliantly morethan - you both have!!! That's a lot of commands - give yourselves big pats on the backs!

I recently taught my pup 'speak' - she took it up with great alacrity, so I had to hastily teach 'quiet' too

I like bog off

why thanks bella, bog off often gets a laugh! but the boys seem to like it .

i'd blame the wiring! My other lad isn't as good as the newbie. He has a recall but not if there are other dogs around, i out this down to him being housebound between 12 and 22 weeks old due to broken leg and he is currently housebound again and has been since october due to more surgery on his leg now he is fully grown 2 year old! heavens knows what he will be like when he is allowed out again [hmmm]

Not a dodgy owner at all!

I have been working on Jean Donaldson's elementary and high school recall with my pup. Was all going swimmingly. In the elementary recall, where the other person waves lovely food around and you try to recall, she would sit in front of me and gaze up adoringly, studiously ignoring dh's offer of liver/chicken/whatever. Even the high school recall (lobbing a toy through your legs) was getting there...

But took her out today and tried to recall her away from 2 goldies we had walked a mile with already - uh-oh. Forget it

I know it's all about generalisation - learning to do it in all situations, and I know if they're excited enough they simply cannot physically hear you....but!!!!

Still, 8 months is a heinous age, I find

good for you bella, bog off should be taught in all training!

My spaniel used to 'die' if the children pointed a toy gun at him.
When their friends came over he would get bored after the 8th demonstration and wander off!

My current spaniel knows lots of commands but chooses to ignore them all

Its very satifying when they finally 'get' sonething.

sending a congratulatory virtual dogbiscuit to your lurcher.

he says thank you and then he asked if he could come and live with you! .

he is os fickle, offer him a biscuit and he is anyones huh.