Freighter is growing up. He has decided to assert his independence. Not unexpected in a puppy, especially a Chessie puppy. He marks really well and runs out to the bumper, but the return is a whole other story. Any little smell or distraction takes him off course to investigate. Our trainer calls it “chasing butterflies”. I didn’t see any butterflies, but it sure seems like that is what he is doing…
We will be working on teaching him that “here” really does mean “here”. He understands it in the house and the yard, but in the field, well he tends to push the envelope. Treats are meaningless when chasing butterflies so he is ready to be collar conditioned to “here”. Eventually he will be able to get rid of the check cord which will be better for him because he tends to get tangled up in it.
If Freighter’s return on land is inconsistent, he usually does much better in the water. He loves the water. If we are training anywhere near water he will head to it. Not a bad thing, except when you are working on land. 😉 When working on water, he will swim straight out and bring the bumper straight back. Here are a few pictures of his water work…
Last night’s storms are moving out so it should be great weather to train tomorrow.
Have a nice weekend!
I’m still working on “here” with my kids. I bet Freighter gets it first.
I can’t get over how crazy Freighters coat is… Gotta love when they start chasing butterflies… Luna still likes to do it, Wyatt on the other hand hardly knows/cares about chasing butterflies and never really has. Even at nearly 2 years old he is much more a pleaser than Luna ever was… makes me consider getting a boy V next time. Hey side note, you will have to keep us posted on what it is like to have 3 dogs Vs. 2 when it comes to pack dynamics, training, energy etc… I highly doubt I will ever convince the Mr. to let me get a 3rd to help exercise Luna (wyatt hardly plays or runs with her…. being lazy and all)
Good luck in training, I have no doubt it’ll go well.
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
Oh Freighter just cracks me up! I can just picture him chasing “butterflies”. heehee! It’s funny you mentioned his check cord because I was just going to ask if he ever got tangled in it. Great series of pictures! Have a great weekend!
I love that phrase – chasing butterflies. It is so interesting reading about your training!
Freighter really is coming along nicely for an adolescent! I love the shear JOY in his work.
😉
HERO
I’m still working on “here” too. I’ll have to try using a lead more , maybe. Great photos!
Sounds like Freighter is trying to push his luck on land! I love that he “chases butterflies” though!
Hope you have a great training weekend!
Well that sounds just like Delilah, except for the water part. She did try and take off once on us while we were fetching in water. You guys are excellent trainers though and I’m sure you will get little Freighter under control. 🙂 I love a dog who loves water!
I don’t think Daisy will ever allow herself to learn “come here”. She’s got no retriever spirit in her at all – for her, the idea is to chase, pick up the object, and run further away with it. !!!!
Chasing Butterflies, Bawhhahhahha. I know he’ll get it. He’s a smart pup.
Blessings,
Goose
Freighter you look so mature and handsome! Don’t worry Sampson is going through the whole I need to see what every little thing is, stage!
Slobbers
There special butterflies that only dogs can see. (I know this because Toby sees them too.) Obviously, butterflies don’t do well in the water – which is why Freighter isn’t distracted there!
Hey Freighter,
Great to see you out chasing butterflies buddy – so much fun!! I still chase them and I’m 2 now!! Same with me, treats have no effect when butterflies are around – Tee Hee
Have fun,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Wonderful photos. I always look forward to hearing about Freighter’s progress. I did laugh on hearing that he loves to “chase butterflies” 🙂 Youthful exhuberance 🙂
We love Freighter. He is growing up so fast. All of the photos are wonderful but we especially like the one of him going off course 🙂
Bella and DiDi
Hahaha oh Freighter!!!! He reminds us so much of little Bethany LOL. Those photos are too cute, even when he is off “chasing butterflies” 🙂
I once met a trainer who told me that Honey’s brain would fall out when she became 6 months old. She swore it happened to all Golden Retrievers. Actually, we were spared it with Honey. But it is true that a lot of dogs start exploring their world in a new, independent way.
As he grows into his work, Freighter’s independence, tempered with training, will probably make him a strong competitor.
Wow Freighter is so adorable. Of course that’s why we take our woods walk for all the smells, I know they will never run out of new ones. Of course the water at the falls is always a great swim. Those butterflies are just so enticing:-)
From time to time our pups throw caution to the wind, go deaf, and assert their independence as well. I may let them get away with it from time to time to blow off steam or as a reward for doing well in training, but they do need to know when you’re serious.
what do you do when Freighter is “chasing butterflies” and he drops the bumper? or does he always keep in his mouth? It would be great if he still held onto it come what may and eventually returned to you because at least you wouldn’t have to worry about going to find it/pick it up. My biggest problem with Honey retrieving things is that if she gets distracted, she will just open your mouth and drop it. On the other hand, to be fair, she is not a “retriever breed”! 🙂
Hsin-Yi