Gundog training

[cottonn]

Hi all

I have a wonderful 4 month old Springer Spaniel called Oscar. This being my first spaniel i am learning a lot, but I absolutely love the breed already.

We were due to start puppy training some weeks ago but a sore leg put him out of an action for a week or so and so was unable to attend. In the long run I was hoping to do some gundog training with him, I would love to have him doing what spaniels do best. BUT this is also a first; I have done some researching online but haven’t found a lot. I also rang somewhere (not going to name) that holds gundog training to enquire but was met by a very rude and abrupt lady that basically made out I wasn't welcome as i was a newbie and sounding like i wanted to have fun with my spaniel and that’s not what it is for, please correct me if i am wrong, as i of course do not know much about this, but i would have thought a small element would be fun and very rewarding for both parties. Anyway rant over and on I continue...

Any advice, info would be much appreciated, what ages to start, etc., anything would be helpful. I am based in the New Forest so if anybody could recommend somewhere that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Alec Swan]

I can't imagine who you spoke to who put you down because you're new. Wasn't she new once? .... and yes, gundogs are fun, that's why we do it, ffs! The miserable old boiler, and yes there are a few about!

I'm wracking my brains now, but isn't there a West Meon Trialling Club, or a Meon Valley Gundog Club? It's something like that. Do a bit of research, or look up gundog trainers in your area, I know that there's someone with some first rate cockers, but a spaniel's a spaniel, regardless of the breed, and the best of the trainers/trialers, will ALWAYS make you welcome.

If you're really stuck, then PM me and I'll have a word with a chum of mine who's a 'keeper, and a good dog man. He'll know how to get you started.

Alec.

 

[Dry Rot]

Get yourself a copy of "Spaniels for Sport" by Carlton, published by The Field. Can't remember the date of publication but it is an old one. It is easy to read and understand.

You can teach a pup lot in your sitting room. Teach it to Sit promptly the moment it notices a moving object, like a rolled tennis ball. Instant implicit Sit to command is the key to training spaniels. Sit them before feeding. Aim for speed of response. Teach them to Sit to your word, your hand signal, to the whistle, and later to flushed game. Nothing worse than a spaniel that is out of control!

You can also teach hand signals on your sitting room carpet. Get the pup searching for tidbits and he'll soon learn your hand signals are helping him. Make him SIT and look to you for directions. Keep his attention and work on that Sit. Carlton is good explaining retrieving too.

Have fun!

 

[PorkChop]

What a miserable b****r!

I've got five working spaniels - with a litter on the way! - it is soooo much fun.

I'm not in your area so I can't suggest gundog clubs local to you. You could also google gundog trainers local to you and have some 1-2-1 lessons. An experienced eye is a gods send.

He is still very young, so just stick to basics.

Also if you have visions of using him in the beating line do not let him range too far from you at all. You can always let them have more freedom but it is mighty hard to get control back if you let him belt about pleasing himself!

 

[Patterdale]

Once they get the idea though it can be very wearing to have an enthusiastic young dog who will scour the house for rolled up socks to bring you, then look up at you with that spaniel-ey 'Haven't I done WELL!?' look

 

[Dry Rot]

Once they get the idea though it can be very wearing to have an enthusiastic young dog who will scour the house for rolled up socks to bring you, then look up at you with that spaniel-ey 'Haven't I done WELL!?' look

Wearing it may be, but bloody useful when you have a GSD pup intent on stealing them! (Though my socks are not neatly rolled up, so maybe that's where I am failing?).

Don't want to be a kill joy, but working gundogs belong outside in a kennel -- with a good strong padlock on the gate if there are young children about. It is the Devil's own job trying to make a dog steady when it has become habituated to chasing balls at will! I would also go as far as to say that four months is too old to get a cast iron Sit installed without a deal of trouble!

 

[cottonn]

Thanks everybody, you've been a real help.

Alec, if I can't find anything I will PM you, so thank you for that.

His sit is one of his best commands so far, he will sit whenever food or a treat is present, on command and also on hand signal, he will also sit whenever we have a toy, the one thing we are working on still is waiting until we say he can go and retrieve the toy or ball.

I will see if I can get a copy of the book Dry Rot, thank you for suggesting it. Unfortunately he isn't outside in a kennel, I originally got him as I have horses and thought it would be a great addition to have when up the yard and out riding, this is why his sit has been worked on so much, as it is so important for him to come to me and wait quietly for whatever reason while I'm on board.

I think maybe a 1-2-1 may be a good idea so we can both get a feel for what we should be doing and whether we both would be any good.

Again thanks for all the advice guys, has really helped and made me feel a lot more welcome.

 

[gunnergundog]

Don't panic about the lack of a kennel; there are plenty of good working dogs that enjoy the comfort of a house or split their time between kennel and house. If you had aspirations to participate in field trials, then that would be another matter but in time you should be able to produce a good solid working dog to use on your local shoot no problem in the environment you have.

Having said that, other family members and especially children (if you have any) are likely to be your biggest obstacle/hindrance in training as it's all about consistency, consistency and consistency again. It may therefore take you longer to train your dog than someone with an ideal set up, but it is possible. My dogs know that if they are with me and on a gunslip then they are working, if they have a harness and longline on then it is tracking and if they have a flat collar and lead on and they are with someone else then it is play time. They do learn and adapt.

A 1-2-1 would be a great idea as so much depends on the personality of your pup too.......something that a pro will be able to assess. There are also many ways to skin a cat! I've had pups in the past that I have allowed to run riot and then installed the brakes at a later stage once they were hunt mad. Others have NEVER been allowed to chase ANYTHING from day one. I've also got it wrong......putting too much control early on into a dog that became a plodder and vice versa!

Anyway, it's supposed to be fun, so do the best you can and enjoy your pup and the journey!

 

[Spudlet]

Don't panic about the lack of a kennel; there are plenty of good working dogs that enjoy the comfort of a house or split their time between kennel and house. If you had aspirations to participate in field trials, then that would be another matter but in time you should be able to produce a good solid working dog to use on your local shoot no problem in the environment you have.

Having said that, other family members and especially children (if you have any) are likely to be your biggest obstacle/hindrance in training as it's all about consistency, consistency and consistency again. It may therefore take you longer to train your dog than someone with an ideal set up, but it is possible. My dogs know that if they are with me and on a gunslip then they are working, if they have a harness and longline on then it is tracking and if they have a flat collar and lead on and they are with someone else then it is play time. They do learn and adapt.

A 1-2-1 would be a great idea as so much depends on the personality of your pup too.......something that a pro will be able to assess. There are also many ways to skin a cat! I've had pups in the past that I have allowed to run riot and then installed the brakes at a later stage once they were hunt mad. Others have NEVER been allowed to chase ANYTHING from day one. I've also got it wrong......putting too much control early on into a dog that became a plodder and vice versa!

Anyway, it's supposed to be fun, so do the best you can and enjoy your pup and the journey!

Basically, all of this ^^^

My dog ran riot for the first 2 years of his life, and has matured into a pretty reliable dog now... a pet first and foremost, but a dog I can take beating too. Not that I'm recommending that you let Oscar do that for the next year and a bit p), but just to say that you can still pull things back, and you can do it in lots of ways too. Whatever trainer you choose, make sure you are happy with their methods and never be afraid to walk away if you're asked to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

I don't know if you're in reach of this guy, but I've always liked the look of the way he works http://www.mullenscote.co.uk/index.html

 

[cottonn]

Thanks, gunnergundog, thats a little more reasuring to know that a kennel is not a must and i am more than happy to put the work in, i do have the problem with other family members, no young children, but so far they have all behaved p) so it shouldnt be such a problem.

I will check that trainer out now Spudlet, thanks for the link.

I've had a look at Meon Valley to, they seem the closet to me at the moment.

Can't wait to start the fun with Oscar now.

 

[Dry Rot]

I'm a bit out of touch but Gundog Tests (as opposed to Gundog Field Trials) used to be very popular, which sound as if they might be right up your street. They were not so formal and designed to help people with their dogs.

The tests are sort of simulated field trials with dummies and the occasional racing pigeon being released to simulate a flush.

The Kennel Cub would probably know of any in your area. Failing that, ask your local field trial club (address from the KC) if there are any.

Could you not get a kennel for the relatives and then it would be quite safe to keep the dog in the house??

 

[cottonn]

That sounds like the would be best for both of us.

I will give the Kennel Club a call, see what is around.

Haha I like the kennel idea for the relatives ALOT! Would solve many problems