An Interesting 'experiment' Options

[NW68]

When we got our Bedlington x Whippet Jake as a pup - I was told horror stories about this mix being 'killers with high speed' etc. I was determined that Jake would not behave like this and embarked on a training programme which included training g him to a recall whistle and having him seeing deer, fox and all livestock from an early age. He came to work with me from 7w old so have grown up around cats, guinea pigs, rabbits etc.

I took him in amongst all livestock as soon as he was vaccinated and also took him to where he would see deer at least 3 times per week.

He'll be 5y old in June and his recall to the whistle is very good - we never mastered the STOP whistle at a distance as he perceived this as him being in trouble and would crawl back to me.

One thing I have noticed is that he is much better being the only Lurcher in my group of dogs - if there is another Lurcher - you can see that he is tempted by them running.

The only slight blip that has happened is that in our 'fox training' part - he befriended a (wild) cub and on several occasions they ran together - tussling and playing and now when he sees a fox he thinks it's the same one and wants to play...so I have to be careful.

I never stop the training with him, we go out through sheep and cattle at least once or twice a month still and we do some whistle training every day.

He works rabbits with one of my terriers and this is often done through sheep/goat filled fields up north - she also works rats on local farms - often the barns back onto the lamb fields - he won't kill the rats but stands in amongst the sheep/lambs and shows them no interest.

Ive found it very interesting to try this intensive type training with a dog whose instincts are to chase.

I do think his early castration may have made him an easier and more pliable dog to work with too.

This is Jake....


Just thought I'd share my sweet hairy 'experiment' boy with you all

[plymgreys]

Jake is just scrummy and a very good boy. Well done both of you.

[kimthecat]

He's lovely Well done.

[jackied]

He is absolutely gorgeous. I admire your determination and systematic approach!

[littlebrambles]

He's gorgeous, very handsome. I love the hairy types.

It's interesting that you say about him being better when he is the only lurcher.

My hairy boy Eric lives with three older non chasing dogs and he has learnt so much from them and is very calm around the cats and other small animals (though he's never unsupervised) .......... however..........

when I had a young collie X stay with me a while ago Eric was like a different dog and I definitely saw the chase instinct woken in him. He seems to reflect the behaviour of the dogs around him.

Early socialisation has certainly paid off for you and it sounds as though he has a very interesting life too.

Here's my hairy boy !






He's a Bedlington X something and has the most loving nature.

[soooz]

[quote]He is absolutely gorgeous. I admire your determination and systematic approach!

So do I....well done you!!!!!!! Plus, he's absolutely stunning.......you must be sooo justifiably proud of Jake.....
.X.
Soooz.

[NW68]

He's a work in progress - I think if I stopped the 'training' his instincts might kick back in.

We went hillwalking yesterday and hiked for just under 4hrs. Up the very top of the hill we came upon an ill ram - he was falling around and trying to run and collapsing on hearing our voices (thankfully we saw him before our rather naughty Border Terrier who would chase ) - my husband checked the ram over incase his leg was caught or he had an obvious injury - but it looked more neurological to be honest. Jake stood and watched the proceedings from about 40 feet away...but made no attempt to get closer. Later in the walk we came around a corner and a small flock of sheep bolted across infront of us - again he stopped and watched. This was all good experience for our HWV pup who also ignores them.

I had to stop looking after my boss's Lurcher as he without doubt encouraged instincts in Jake I've worked so hard to quell.

Oh my - Eric (great name too!!) is just

Another few pics of my boy....

Watching Roe Deer over the fence having been told to leave...

With pal Kali

At the top of Benn Fhurain

With sheep and Holly


Edited to add, my daughters boyfriends parents own the sheep and they went out and brought back the ram who sadly was too injured to save.


This post has been edited by NW68: 5th Mar 2012, 10:08 am

[littlebrambles]

We must both like hairy dogs. I have a HWV too. She's going to be 13 this year and still full of energy and bounce.




My two hairies ! Would love to see a pick of your HWV - fabulous dogs.

This post has been edited by littlebrambles: 5th Mar 2012, 12:33 pm

[Kellys Aunt]

A dog to be proud of, well done.

[nikkiwoo]

Jake

Eric You look a bit like my Lottie



I am very lucky with both Lottie & Charlie Whippet, neither have much of a prey drive Poppy terrier on the other hand

[Annieskel]

The people who told you that Whippet/Beddies are killer dogs at speed haven't a clue about dogs, they are normal dogs with normal instincts, I used to have a JRT/Whippet, he could catch and kill rabbits, voles etc. but he wasn't a killer dog at speed, he was a dog being a dog.

Well done for teaching your gorgeous boy so much, think I am in love.

[NW68]

We must both like hairy dogs. I have a HWV too. She's going to be 13 this year and still full of energy and bounce.


My two hairies ! Would love to see a pick of your HWV - fabulous dogs.

Awww beautiful - what a coincidence eh?

We have 2 HWVs - Kali is 9y old and Eva is 8m.

Kali

Kali (right) and friend (not ours) on a shoot day high in the Angus Glens

Kali and Eva at work with me

Poor Kali - Eva was a very annoying puppy...

On holiday in October - Holly (PRT) is missing from the photo as she'd just had a cruciate op and Milly (JRT) is sadly no longer with us, she died aged 14y 7m just before Christmas


Eva is 8m now and looking much more wirey - its amazing how long the wire hairs take to develop. She is showing real promise on the hunting field and points and holds well. I must update my photobucket

This post has been edited by NW68: 5th Mar 2012, 3:58 pm

[NW68]

Jake

Eric You look a bit like my Lottie



I am very lucky with both Lottie & Charlie Whippet, neither have much of a prey drive Poppy terrier on the other hand

Lovely

Yes, my Holly (PRT) is the same...