Advice please on training a Springer Spaniel

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BigBird146

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Hi, I'm thinking of taking on my brothers springer bitch who's about 7 y.o. She's been trained as a gun dog at some point so does have some quite nice attributes, BUT (1) pulls like a train whilst on the lead which I would like to stop as its very waring (miserable actually) 2. She gets separation anxiety, but it doesn't seem as bad when she stays with us as we leave her with our other dog. However hes 12 and not going to last forever. 3. She turns into a bit of a loon when off her lead and just runs and runs and runs. She listens to you and comes back at first but then just switches off.
Firstly, do you think a dog of this age can be re-trained in these sort of things (don't really expect the separation anxiety to improve much but I can live with that). Secondly, can you recommend any good books.
She is a lovely intelligent little dog who unfortunatly has been a bit spoiled by her human's circumstances (1st one died, 2nd family moved to Australia so re-homed her with my brothers family). I could quite honestly do without anoher responsibilty but I fear if we couldn't have her the kindest thing would be to have her PTS as her stresses would just get worse still if she had to go to be rehomed.
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Could kick my brother but thats by the by!!
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Hi

I don't know huge amounts about Springers, but have done a very small amount of volunteer work for English Springer Spaniel Welfare.

In my opinion, most dogs can be retrained. I have fostered several dogs, all of which had to be trained / socialised / gently rehabilitated.

If you ARE unable to cope, please contact ESSW, who will be able to help in rehoming her. She would not just be chucked in kennels, but most likely re-homed either directly from you or from a foster home.

Have a look here: http://www.englishspringerwelfare.co.uk/ One of their aims is to help people with the problems their dogs may have, rather than just taking them to rehome, hence their name is WELFARE rather than RESCUE.

HTH
 
I have a springer boy and they are a lovely breed but can be a little 'wilful'! I would recommend the 'canny collar' http://www.cannyco.co.uk/index.php for pulling, I used it on my GSD for a few weeks and then didnt need it anymore, or you could simply try the method of stopping every time she pulls on the lead, my two soon get the hint that if they dont walk nicely they simply dont go anywhere. After a few frustating (for them) halts, they soon cotton on!
Springers have BOUNDLESS energy levels (as you probably know,) mine also just runs and runs in circles for a while when let off the lead, he does come back though. You could try a little bit of recall training, with her fave treats and a lungeline, till she gets the idea. Give her a really good reason to keep coming back, they are very clever. Cookie enjoys a bit of training, when he returns to me we sometimes do the sit, stay, down, wait, and then 'go play!' He then comes back to me as it could mean a game, not just the lead.
Can I recommend a great site? its http://www.englishspringer.co.uk/ they have a forum and also links to training, rescue etc. A great bunch who really know thier Springers.
Sorry that was long, Good luck!
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Thanks for the links, the general concencus is that with a bit of work and patience i should be able to improve her behaviour. I hope they decide they can work on it themselves (they are having an animal psycologist this w/e as a last resort) but they have 2 young children and are short on time and patience, so not hopeful!! At least the dog is used to coming to us so it shouldn't be too much of a change for her (not as bad as being rehomed to a stranger anyway). Poor thing!!
 
Good luck BigBird. I have 3 springers and one thing is common with springers- they don't do lead walking!! Despite being very well trained and excelling in a classroom with heel work all 3 of them pull like trains when walking outside. They all wear headcollars because its kinder than a collar on the neck and means I am in control.

Regarding recall well, you have to make yourself interesting. What excites the dog - food or toys? Either way, take some chopped cooked liver out with you, dogs very rarely go far when they know you have that with you. If she likes toys then find her favourite and save that just for walking so it becomes special and she'll want to work for it.

Seperation anxiety can be a problem, springers by nature are very social and love canine or human company. Mine live as a pack with 2 others so there are 5 in total, that said they still go bananas when we come home and can't wait to bring toys for games and fussing over.

Another good website for advice on training, fun, rehoming etc is www.itsaspringthing.co.uk

All the rescue co-ordinators go on there and are really helpful, some excellent tips and often there are people in your area who are happy to meet up for walks to share training tips and socialise the dogs.

Hope you get on OK, please let me know. All my springers are rescued and I always do my best to help a springer in need. I am not too far from you, I am in Chesterfield
 
Hi Claire,
Thanks very much (and for the PM). Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this w/e might be a turning point for my brother with her as I'm sure that staying where she is albeit with a little more understanding will be the best thing for her, but I didn't want to step to take her until I knew I could improve her 'bad bits'. After many positive responses on here I'm sure I can so fingers X'ed.
Thanks
 
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