Anvilstone dog training, Ian Whittaker
- Thread starter trucraft
- Start date
Thoroughly recommended, really knows his gwps. Helped sort my lunatic out
fallowfellow
Well-Known Member
Yes, we went down for some sheep training and focus/ recall work and it was great. By the end of day one we finished up with a walk through some fields with plenty of scent and the dog eas so much calmer and more focused on us. Day two we were in with sheep and no problems. Also introduced an e- collar. A month later and we have continued with the training and I’m delighted with the results. Hunting closely, keeping an eye on us and great recall in high distraction environment. I would very much recommend him.
trucraft
Well-Known Member
Sounds great.
For me, it’s really important that I receive as much training as the dog from someone like Ian so that I can move forward, training, my dog on a day-to-day basis. And not allowing her to get into bad habits. I don’t just wanna rely on a weeks crash course Training.
My dog is massively pre-driven as most wires are, but I’m really struggling with focus and obedience when distracted by Game. She will absolutely chase anything given half the chance. Though her recall is very good the rest of the time. I’ve worked so hard with her, but feel that we’ve got to a bit of a stagnant point no progression
fallowfellow
Well-Known Member
Sounds familiar! I had been working along the lines of The Deer Dog Blueprint but felt some more direction was needed for similar reasons. Have had lots of success with tracking and retrieving etc but just v amped and prone to deafness around prey.
Like you, I was keen to get the training as the dog is bright so it was us that were failing to communicate with her. My wife and I went for a weekend, staying in an Air BnB in Kendall. It was great to do the training together as we were not always quite on the same hymn sheet and a consistent approach has definitely helped. I wasn't expecting to do e-collar work but it was fantastic. The stimulation required is next to nothing and usually just a beep but it removes risk around sheep/deer/whatever and solo hunting now seems to be a thing of the past. I can see it not being required in not too long but good insurance to put a stop to problems. Much more freedom possible for her now.
The difference in the dog was apparent in a few hours. Let us know how you get on!
trucraft
Well-Known Member
I will hopefully do a write up on hear after my experience.
I have just booked a stay with my family in Ian and Sue’s cottage in March.
Looks like a bit of a boot camp for the dog as she will be in there kennel the whole time.
I don’t want to waste more time if I’m inadvertently giving the dog wrong signals or bad habits so at 2.5 yrs old it’s time to get on the right track.
I have just booked a stay with my family in Ian and Sue’s cottage in March.
Looks like a bit of a boot camp for the dog as she will be in there kennel the whole time.
I don’t want to waste more time if I’m inadvertently giving the dog wrong signals or bad habits so at 2.5 yrs old it’s time to get on the right track.
trucraft
Well-Known Member
Hi.
Sorry not been on here for a while.
So we went up to see Ian for a week.
We took everything back to basics. As he felt the leadership and dominance wasn’t there with her. Despite me thinking I’ve been very conscious about how I manage the dog. But after discussing with him, it was quite obvious that she been given too much freedom in and out of the home.
He echoed what many other dog trainers have said over the years about getting the best from a dog that’s kenneled.
We worked a lot on long line recall, short lead heal Work and focus.
Which she did respond to Well.
He showed me that putting her in a sit or down position behind me was an ideal position for a dominant dog. Showing her that I’m more dominant and allowing her to relax and not have to be on the lookout.
I came away with a lot of valuable information and a new approach.
My one criticism would be that he doesn’t believe in a lot of free or playtime for the dog.
And you could see this in her demeanour throughout the week. It was definitely more of a Boot Camp than a fun training session.
Since I returned home, I’ve had her in the crate a lot more in the house with very little free time. Whilst out on walks, she’s always on the long line just to try and reboot the hierarchy and not allowing her opportunities to mess up.
I would still say progress is slow. Though her heel work and general focus on me is definitely much better stopping and sitting by my side when I stop, coming in and sitting behind me when I tell her.
However, given any opportunity she will try to chase anything and has virtually broken my fingers on several occasions, when bolting off whilst still on the long line.
She’s definitely less reactive with other dogs and the “leave it” command has helped with that.
I would post some before and after videos, but I don’t think I can do that on here.
Good write up but you have to remember Ians methods are effective and this may be reduced by not following all of his guidance. That said, our GWP is 60% pet, 40% work and I tailored my crate time etc around that.
Is this not what the e-collar should be used for? (I appreciate you may not have used one on your training week)
trucraft
Well-Known Member
We briefly used it for recall with Tone but he didn’feel it was needed.
I’m not really sure how to use it to stop chasing and I’m worried about doing it wrong.
I have been thinking of calling Ian to discuss it with him
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