Gundog puppy training

[Michen]

Not that this dog will likely ever work but training her regardless because of how she’s bred. She’s 16 weeks and I’ve been doing maybe 2/3 retrieves a day on a tiny rabbit fur covered dummy. She’s is or was super keen, but did like to run away with the retrieve so I created a lane which sorted that.

Then she got SO enthusiastic about bringing it back she was literally launching herself into me and honestly it was a little painful the force she came at me with, it must have been for her too! I’m down on my knees to encourage her in and she would just bound up into my chest like a missile.

Now she’s just a little.. meh about it. She will bring it back but not with the same enthusiasm and I’m not sure where I went wrong other than that the above upset her- of her own doing!

Shall I stop all retrieve for a bit? Is a couple a day too much for her age anyway? She absolutely loves carrying anything she can around in her mouth.

Photo of the little monster! She is sooooo much more work than my other spaniel was, so cheeky and mischievous but absolutely hilarious at the same time, not that I ever let her know that.

 

[druid]

1-2 a day, use your hall way or similar enclosed area and I let them climb on my head if they want to (at that age I am sat on the floor rolling the retrieve out in front).

Lots of body stroking/butt scratches before gently taking the retrieve item away.

I also tease them a little bit with a item first keeping hold of it but moving it around on the floor for them to try grab before tossing/rolling it away.

She might be starting to teeth so stick with rolled up socks or a paint roller (I use both the mini and then standard ones) for now so they're pretty weightless and non painful to carry

 

[Michen]

Been doing all that! I let her hold the retrieve for a good while with a ton of praise. And teasing before throwing.

Will swap to socks. Thanks!

 

[druid]

Likely teething then - be very careful taking the retrieve not to catch a tooth and stick to the soft things.

Also start now with the sending her to food in a bowl, using hunt whistle and recall whistle while doing it etc - you trained with Ben so surely should have all that drilled in!