Inquisitive Puppy Learns About Farm Life | Wonderful World of Puppies | BBC Earth

Summary

In this engaging video, we follow the growth of young Cocker Spaniel 'Smart Pop Coral' from a playful 8-week-old pup to a promising working dog on her owner's farm. As she enters her most sensitive learning period, Coral is introduced to farm life, meeting ducks and doves, and begins basic training with her human dad. The video captures her first attempts at fetching, a crucial skill for a working dog, showcasing her natural instincts and the importance of repetition in developing her abilities.

Takeaways

• 🐾 Coral is an 8-week-old Cocker Spaniel who has been left alone after her littermates have gone to new homes.
• 🏠 She is living on a farm with her owner and is expected to become a working dog.
• 📈 Coral is in a critical learning period, where experiences now could have a lifelong impact.
• 🕗 It's feeding time for the ducks and doves, and Coral might interact with them, which is part of her introduction to farm life.
• 🦆 Coral is fascinated by the white birds, which are also observing her, indicating a mutual curiosity.
• 🚶‍♂️ Coral's first lesson involves basic training to stimulate her developing brain.
• 🎮 She is introduced to a new toy, 'Elite', which she initially treats as a chase and bite game.
• 🔄 The tug of war with her dad is part of the training to get used to new experiences.
• 🐕 Cocker Spaniels have a natural desire to fetch and return, a trait that is particularly strong in working lines.
• 🦆 'Mr. Duck' is used to test if Coral's instincts to fetch have begun to develop.
• 🧠 Repetition in training will help develop new neural pathways in Coral's brain, aiding her learning process.
• 🦴 Coral needs to learn not to chew on the toy but to give it up willingly for another chance to chase.

Q & A

How old was Coral when she was introduced to the farm environment?

Coral was 8 weeks old when she started playing with her brothers and sisters in a hay barn on the farm.

What breed of dog is Coral and what is her expected role on the farm?

Coral is a Cocker Spaniel, and she is expected to become a working dog on her owner's farm.

What is the significance of the 5-week period mentioned in the script for Coral's development?

The 5-week period is Coral's most sensitive learning period, during which experiences could have a lasting impact on her behavior and skills.

What is the first task that Coral's owner introduces her to on the farm?

The first task introduced to Coral is feeding time for the ducks and doves on the farm.

How does Coral's owner engage her curiosity with the white birds on the farm?

Coral's owner allows her to observe and interact with the white birds, which seem to be keeping an eye on her as well.

What is Coral's first lesson in the worldall garden and who arranges it?

Coral's first lesson in the worldall garden is elementary training arranged by her human dad to stretch her developing brain.

What activity does Coral engage in with her dad that is both a game and a training exercise?

Coral engages in a game of tug of war with her dad, which also serves as a training exercise to develop her skills.

Why is the ability to fetch and return an important skill for Coral as a working dog?

The ability to fetch and return is an essential skill for a working dog because it has been selected over many generations in Cocker Spaniels, making them adept at retrieving items.

What toy does Coral use during her training to practice her fetching and returning skills?

Coral uses a toy referred to as 'Mr. Duck' to practice her fetching and returning skills during training.

What does Coral need to learn in addition to fetching, according to her owner's instructions in the script?

In addition to fetching, Coral needs to learn to willfully give up the toy without chewing it, as that is not the behavior expected of working retrievers.

How does Coral's performance in her first attempt at the training exercise with 'Mr. Duck'?

Coral's performance in her first attempt is considered not bad at all, indicating that she is showing potential in her training.