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Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 11:13 am
by birdogg42
I have a 5 month old pointer male that constantly picks up the check cord and carries it while
I am working him. Which isn't a big deal but it gets in the way of changing directions or reeling him back to me
It's a PIA! I've never had one that's done this. What's your thoughts on this? I don't want to correct for doing it. But it's sooo aggravating.


Mike

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:25 pm
by cjhills
Buy a solid core 20 ft 3/8" checkcord and let him drag it all the time when he is in the field. He will quit picking up the cord when he gets used to it..........................Cj

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:41 pm
by Timewise65
Give him a break, if he was human he couldn't even walk! At this age fun is what is important....not so much training and obedience. At age I put a piece of cotton string maybe two foot long and have him wear it all the time. He soon gets bored with it and now you are beginning to get him ready for a check cord. I would not start any formal training until he is 6 months and then I would look for mental maturity before I really proceed. If he cannot stay on topic, gets tired and quits, etc. all signs of a dog not quite being mature enough to start training.

Enjoy the pup, because he will only be a pup for a very short while. :mrgreen:

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:10 pm
by birdogg42
Thanks for the advice. I'm well aware of his age, and attention span. He doesn't quit on me. He would carry the cord all day if I left it on him. thanks again

Mike

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:22 pm
by P&PGunsmith
is he getting into birds when he has the checkcord in his mouth. it seeems he would drop the cord if he is around and concentrating on birds.

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:13 pm
by cjhills
No reason for him not to learn how to drag a check cord..........Cj

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:16 pm
by birdogg42
cjhills wrote:No reason for him not to learn how to drag a check cord..........Cj
I guess he is so smart he figured out it is less resistance if he carries it! Stinking pointers

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:28 pm
by Timewise65
birdogg42 wrote:Thanks for the advice. I'm well aware of his age, and attention span. He doesn't quit on me. He would carry the cord all day if I left it on him. thanks again

Mike
That seems a like a bit of a strange comment. As your concern on this post was the fact he is carrying his check cord when you are trying to train him. Yet you say "he doesn't quit he would carry the cord around all day."

Sounds like he could be AVOIDING your control and training by carrying the cord, or at least he would rather play so he carries the cord around.... and that my friend may very well be he is quitting on you...just saying....

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:46 pm
by polmaise
birdogg42 wrote:I have a 5 month old pointer male that constantly picks up the check cord and carries it while
I am working him. Which isn't a big deal but it gets in the way of changing directions or reeling him back to me
It's a PIA! I've never had one that's done this. What's your thoughts on this? I don't want to correct for doing it. But it's sooo aggravating.


Mike
20 weeks old and it's a PIA ?..
Never had one that done this ?...
.............
Why would you require a cord for any 20 week old puppy ..unless you just picked it up today.

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 8:56 pm
by birdogg42
polmaise wrote:
birdogg42 wrote:I have a 5 month old pointer male that constantly picks up the check cord and carries it while
I am working him. Which isn't a big deal but it gets in the way of changing directions or reeling him back to me
It's a PIA! I've never had one that's done this. What's your thoughts on this? I don't want to correct for doing it. But it's sooo aggravating.


Mike
20 weeks old and it's a PIA ?..
Never had one that done this ?...
.............
Why would you require a cord for any 20 week old puppy ..unless you just picked it up today.
You don't stake your 5 month old pup out or lead him around on a check cord??

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:22 am
by polmaise
No , I don't actually , but that doesn't mean it's right or wrong, however I don't have a pup picking one up and carrying it ...You do :D

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 5:17 am
by Trekmoor
This is one of the differences between " over there " and "over here." Not many people here ever stake dogs out or use check cords as a regular thing . I have used check cords but only very rarely and for as short a period as I possibly can....usually just one or two quick lessons. I have never staked a dog out ........ I am not even sure of why this is done ? Is it only the pointing dog breeds that get staked out ?

Sorry, I don't have anywhere near enough experience of check cord use to be of any help with this problem. The only thing I can think of is to smear the dogs end of the cord with some harmless but unpleasant tasting substance . I know bitter aloes would work. I worked as a postman and if householders complained that the letters I posted through their door were getting shredded by their dogs I'd smear some bitter aloes onto the envelope and warn the householders to wear gloves to extract the letter from the envelope.

That stuff is truly vile. When I was very young my mother smeared my fingertips with it to stop me biting my nails..... A fairly common "cure" 60 + years ago ! It worked very well ..... I have never bitten my nails since then. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a dog ....unless someone knows differently ?
Be aware that if you try this it is very likely to end the training for that day, the dog will not be a happy one !!! Wear gloves, don't get that stuff onto your tongue !

Bill T.

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:38 pm
by Sharon
Trekmoor wrote:This is one of the differences between " over there " and "over here." Not many people here ever stake dogs out or use check cords as a regular thing . I have used check cords but only very rarely and for as short a period as I possibly can....usually just one or two quick lessons. I have never staked a dog out ........ I am not even sure of why this is done ? Is it only the pointing dog breeds that get staked out ?................................................................."
Bill T.
Not just pointers .It can be used as an early on lesson that resisting won't work. Dog learns it might as well submit and relax.

O.P ( original poster). What about using a chain cord when walking? Most dogs don't like metal in their mouths.
At 5 months I think the dog is saying , "I'm going to be in charge about where we go and how we go." Something I'd want to end also.

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:44 pm
by slistoe
I stake my dogs at 8 weeks of age - with an 18" line to the leg of the buffet while we eat at the table. Helps immensely with giving to the lead when such work starts and the ability to have the dog accept being tied on a short leash in any place or time is extremely useful throughout the dogs life.

Check cord problems

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:45 pm
by Tmechelberry
Sounds to me like he's just having fun. I'm willing to bet that when he grows up a bit he'll figure out there are more fun things to do than carry it.


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Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:13 pm
by fishvik
A pointer that wants to carry something, sounds like a plus to me. You're half way there on teaching retrieving.

Re: Check cord problems

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 2:25 pm
by polmaise
fishvik wrote:A pointer that wants to carry something, sounds like a plus to me. You're half way there on teaching retrieving.
+1 ...and probably just wants to please/play/engage :wink: