Diary of a Squealy Spaniel 19th Nov 21

I then decided I would reach out to other trainers, I had seen reactive dogs before of course but not screaming dogs and not because of overexcitement. Reactivity is usually an indicator of fear, well Thorn was not afraid just manic. I decided I couldn’t be cocky thinking I would sort this alone and reached out to others I admire in the gundog scene.

After a call from a trainer who has been advising us from the start, he said to not put Thorn in that environment until next year. My heart sank, the shoot was just outside my front door. We would be moving before the next season and it would never be easier I thought. He said no shoot days and no tests until we can get this whining under control. I agreed and wondered what I would tell everyone. He was right though he didn’t seem ready, he’s got a young head on his shoulders, if he was a horse he’d be babyish at 7.

He said I hadn’t done enough of the boring stuff with Thorn and I felt so stupid. We had been very go go go and in doing so I taught Thorn that everything thrown, landed and shot he could have.

He’s an angel on the farm, heels, recalls, delivers etc and even if they are shooting nearby. Quiet calm and happy Thorn. I wondered how I could replicate the environment by degrees so that he can learn to manage his anticipation and control his outbursts.