K9 Nose Work Class - DeeDee

DeeDee in her beginning Nose Work class. This is the 5th of 6 classes.

DeeDee is a hunting type of Gordon Setter, smaller than the show Setters. She and a male Gordon are rescues that I have had for 2 years. They had many timidness and fear issues when I adopted them at age 2 years and 1-1/2 years. He hadn't been socialized and was very fearful of life in general. He wasn't comfortable at home; always uneasy, alert, and watchful. She was very happy and boisterous when he was about; timid, uneasy, and very cllinging to me on without him. Very much afraid of other dog breeds. They quickly became very dependent on and happy with each other.

They are very "birdy" (i.e., if they see and go after a bird, they are so driven they wouldn't see or hear a train coming at them). Training them was arduous and not very successful. Having only owned and trained Lab, Golden Retriever, and Collie crosses all my life, even though many were rescues, I didn't know how to deal with this particular type of dog.

I put them in this beginning K9 Nose Work class to help with them with these issues. This is the 5th class (their 4th; they missed one). It's helped tremendously.

The first time I took the male to this training center, just for a private obedience lesson, we spent almost 30 min. just letting him get used to the sights (numerous dog training items, stuffed dogs, etc.) and sounds (heating units, fans, etc.) of the small former warehouse/garage with loft. This, still, after having had him for over 2 years, been to class and consistently to dog parks, socialized with other dogs, and daily outings to public places.

After that first visit to the site, I took him a few months later for this class. He's done fantasticallly - when it's his turn, he now almost pulls me along to his job, trotting with that Gordon swing, tail happily swaying, head down, moving to his known and understood work.

I'm thrilled with their progress, and especially to see them so happy doing something they like and are interested in. It's started the male towards what we'd hoped - that it would give him focus (to help to wedge him away from his fears) via a fun and rewarding job, and a sense of confidence in being able to do something on his own. The female is dutiful with her job, but still isn't as at ease on her own as the male is. However, she's improved tremendously by having a task to focus on and doing it. She is no longer looking to or jumping up on me continuously for security when without her partner.

For the handler, it's great - once the dog knows its job, your role is simply to take him/her to the start area, let them go with your command for search, and watch. Perfect for me and my capabilities.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• nose work
• Nose Work
• Gordon Setter
• gordon setter
• dog
• DeeDee
• search
• rescue
• dog rescue
• setter rescue