Gun dog training

Goldenstar

Goldenstar

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Well Thursday is the day .
Young lab dog and I are off to our first training .
My head was spinning from all my OH's friends offering advice so I have booked a session with someone just over an hour away .
No idea what to expect we have
A slip leader
A whistle on a lanyard
And his dummy with two partridge wings bound to it .
What else might I need ?
I am very nervous but how bad can it be ?
 
It will be fun, different training methods work for different people, I like a positive approach, coupled with a good dose of realism. I try to be force free, but there are certainly occasions when I need to be firmly in charge. I have a sensitive Springer though.

I love my gundog training.
 
Ooh have fun Goldenstar, you will love it.
I did obedience for years and then discovered gun dog training and just got so much pleasure from it. I have two flatcoats that have so much enthusiasm but are biddable. I don't actually take them shooting but it makes them a pleasure to own.
 
Ah, thought you may have been off to Kay at Craigelachie. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it is great fun for both you and the dog.
 
He'll have his Argentinian braided collar with it's bright red tag ( all the other dogs will laugh )
And I will keep quiet about him sleeping on my bed and the special command I have taught him for give me a cuddle .
 
Goldenstar said:
He'll have his Argentinian braided collar with it's bright red tag ( all the other dogs will laugh )
And I will keep quiet about him sleeping on my bed and the special command I have taught him for give me a cuddle .
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Yes - I would too. There a few little secrets that Hugo and I share that his gundog trainer is not privy to!

I have been told in the past by my trainer that 'he's not a human baby or a retard so don't treat him like one' - as if!!
 
minesadouble said:
Yes - I would too. There a few little secrets that Hugo and I share that his gundog trainer is not privy to!

I have been told in the past by my trainer that 'he's not a human baby or a retard so don't treat him like one' - as if!!
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A human baby .....yuk nasty thought .
 
I don't think they wear collars while training or working, although I am sure he looks mighty handsome in it! Have fun and we need an update ASAP.
Remember, like horses, they like to make you look inept and stupid!
 
Thanks everybody ,
I am excited I really want him to love it but if he does not no matter I will still adore him .
 
Ours don't wear collars at all unless at the beach.

Do expect to spend much time on heel, sit and stop before the "fun" stuff but enjoy it all - a well trained dog is a pleasure. I've got three Springers and a Lurcher trained as a retriever currently :)
 
Would love to see the lurcher retrieve! What cross is she? Mine used to retrieve beautifully (only fur, not feather) but wouldn't do it if another dog was there and then just buggered off and buried it.
 
OP, if you can engineer the situation whereby your dog views work as a privilege, rather than a right, then you will almost certainly succeed. Collars, whilst a dog works are a definite NO!

Alec.
 
None of ours even own collars, I'm ashamed to say. I do have a lead in my pocket on a walk in case I need it, it has only ever been used to catch stray dogs so far.
 
We never put a collar on ours for training but if we did an exercise with a long line then obviously a collar is a necessity. Also it is the law that all dogs in a public place must wear one.

OP I'm sure you training won't be in a public place but if our dog got a bit 'enthusiastic' in the earlier stages of his training he would be put on a long line and I did get a bit of chastisement once for not having his collar with me!!
 
Fair enough, have never used a long line. Everyone does it differently. :-)
Thankfully we don't have to walk in public places.
 
Please note that under the law a dog must wear a collar and ID tag at all times when in a public place (this includes in your car). The only exemption is a working dog whilst it is actually working. Therefore your gundog can be without a collar whilst out picking up or training but on the journey there must be wearing a collar. The maximum fine for not wearing a collar with a disc is ........£5000!!!!!!
Also please remember that from 6th April 2016 all dogs must be microchipped too.
 
Clodagh said:
Would love to see the lurcher retrieve! What cross is she? Mine used to retrieve beautifully (only fur, not feather) but wouldn't do it if another dog was there and then just buggered off and buried it.
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He's a deerhound x whippet and picks up on a driven shoot, very good on runners.
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satinbaze said:
Please note that under the law a dog must wear a collar and ID tag at all times when in a public place (this includes in your car). The only exemption is a working dog whilst it is actually working. Therefore your gundog can be without a collar whilst out picking up or training but on the journey there must be wearing a collar. The maximum fine for not wearing a collar with a disc is ........£5000!!!!!!
Also please remember that from 6th April 2016 all dogs must be microchipped too.
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I'm not in the UK - different regs here
 
Have fun.

Would love to take our labxcollie gundog training but I've been told that her temperament isn't right :( she loves retrieving and tries to please.

The cocker though will be going scent training when she is old enough, she has show cocker as parents but I'm pretty sure she thinks she is a working dog :D
 
Slightlyconfused said:
Have fun.

…….. :( she loves retrieving and tries to please.

…….. :D
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You will need nothing more than a will to please, and participate. Once the will to please starts to take over, and the 'will' is in place, then that's the time to instil obedience and at a level which doesn't unduly dampen the dog. As you say, 'Have Fun'!!

Druid's dog is an example; all dogs will carry, it's just implanting the wish to return to the handler, rather than buggering off in to the distance with its prize! Years ago when I worked as a 'keeper on a prestigious and respected Oxfordshire estate, a guest turned out with a Standard Poodle. Everyone, 'keepers and dog-men looked at each other askance, but it wasn't actually that bad! The 'delivery' could have been tidied up a bit, but otherwise, near full marks! :)

Alec.
 
A lady in Devon breeds working standards, she puts a fair few photos up on the web, her main man is a cracking looking worker.
Slightlyconfused: What a load of bullocks, what on earth is wrong with her temperament? As long as she isn't gun shy and doesn't attack dogs or people I can't see what would stop her?
 
Clodagh said:
Fantastic. How easy was he to train? I bet runners don't stand a chance!
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He learnt a lot from watching the proper workers, he already retrieved to hand when lamping bunnies so it was just a case of teaching him to be steady and handle. He will not quarter but he does hunt well for his retrieves, works on blinds and is rock steady on a peg. I occasionally bring him to visit other shoots for a bit of devilment as my peg dog.
 
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