k9h/Ravenwood/GinaB - Gundog Training?

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sloulou

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Or anyone that knows about Gundog training... can you tell me... Is my Loki too old - now he is 18 months old?

Also - what is the best way to get some training? I did originally sign up with a trainer - but that hasn't really happened (partly due to the trainer being miles away).

Should I join a club? Am just a bit worried that Loki is not well behaved enough -his retrieving is not the best... but he seems so high drive I think he would enjoy working?

How do you go about training your dogs? Is it all yourself or have you had help/ support?
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http://www.basc.org.uk/content/training_with_gundog_club

That's a list of clubs it may be possible to join. Personally I haven't started a dog of that age and don't know anyone who has, but I can ask around and see what they say? TBH k9h or Ravenwood would be better to speak to as they have much more experience than me! k9h has some good links for books.

We've never had help/support (just people to whinge at when it all goes wrong lol) and ours all seem to have turned out ok...
 
My problme is that I have no experience of working gundogs - so i can't judge how good/bad loki might be...

He's a bit over-excitable when there are lots of dogs around - so I worry that he wouldn't be able to focus well... or all some dogs just like that and can it be worked through?
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thanks for the link
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Hi!

I do working trilas as opposed to Gun dog/Field trials, but there are similarities. You will need a certain level of obedience - basics like sit, down, stay recall. Joining a club is always best and fun! BUT and I stress BUT! be careful what club you join and check out there methods first. Training should be fun and rewarding and Gun dog training can be pretty harsh on the poor mutt that doesn't behave - a friend walked out of her class after the dog was picked up by its throat and shook for not doing a clean retrive
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- it was a 9mnth old pup!!! and this is one of many stories I have heard.
18month isn't too old - depends on the level you want to train, just keep it fun, thats what is all about.
Good luck
 
I am no trainer! Quail is my first attempt & I am doing it alone mainly!
I would think that if Loki is keen then you have a chance! That is where it all starts from! I have been around someone I would call a pro with gundogs & always pester them about what I am doing wrong! As it is always me & not the dog!
The books are very helpful but they generally do not tell tyou what to do when something goes wrong. No I do not mean pick the dog up & shake it. There is no way I could do that to Quail as she would just turn off!
Dog trainers are the same as horse trainers those that can & those that say they can (but can not!)
It would be helpful to go to a trainer & let them see you & Loki & they can give you tips or you can go regular to them or just as & when you feel you need too.
The main 2 things are being consistent & patience. It is not a race, but when you say sit you mean sit. Not sit in 5minutes!

There are a lot of trainers out there but the good ones are booked up nearly a year in advance (because they are good)!
But saying that if you get in with someone does not mean they are not good! The internet is wonderful for looking up what they have acheived themselves. I would recommened this but not all good trainers go & do trials so they may not have a competition record. Yes complicated I know!

A club would be handy as you get to go with other dogs & Loki would soon realise that it is not always play time with other dogs but work time as well, which is more fun!

Sorry I seem to have waffled! If you would like to know anymore I will try my best!!
Most important thing is that you & Loki have fun & enjoy it!
 
Yes - I've heard that too DinkyDen - wouldn't be happy with that at all...

He has sit, stay, down, wait, left, right, away, 'find it' or 'seek', recall, wait and he will retrive in that he will go and get something, bring it back and then run around you
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He will walk to heel both on and off lead - but will break off lead if he sees something more fun to do..

The worst things are 'dead'... I can only get that in the house or if i hold his collar and say it... so need to re-train... this is luinked to the failing at the end of the retrieve - he won't give the thing up
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is other problem is that he is far more interested in meeting other dogs than anything else... whihc is what worries me in terms of his focus in a class or on a shoot.
 
Thanks k9h
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It is definately me that goes wrong with Loki - he is a star really... I just feel a bit stuck by the retriveing issue and the worry that he wouldn't focus...

There is a club near us in SE London/ Kent that I could try? It is called BAKADAM - does anyone know it?

I have always wanted to train him for this (he is certainly bred for it) and I thought that I was having help but haven't seen trainer since October - is v. hard for them to get to me... and I feel like am running out of time...
 
Sounds like you have all the basics! He will be still puppyish I imagine with wanting to play with other dogs. If you can get into a group then that would help.

The old gundog training is lessening as people start training/playing with them younger where as originally they wouldn't be taught anything till 6-8 months of age. You could always go to a club or group without Loki first to watch & see if you would fit in & are happy with how they 'do' things!
 
He does sound like he has all the basics in place. Cindys problem is retrieving to hand. She drops it about 2/3 ft in front instead of to hand. Arrrrggghhh she just can't seem to get it right, but at least is trying
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Has he heard a gun before?
 
Good idea... I could go and watch.

Yes - we do have the basics - but at the moment his brain has descended to his balls
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and he is still a bit puppyish... If am out in the countryside he has all the behaviours 100%, but it is the London parks that drive me mad - as all he can see is dog after dog after dog
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and whilst I can stop him bothering them, I can't get much trianing done with him distracted like that. especially when they run up to us...

sounds like a class would be best.
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[ QUOTE ]
He does sound like he has all the basics in place. Cindys problem is retrieving to hand. She drops it about 2/3 ft in front instead of to hand. Arrrrggghhh she just can't seem to get it right, but at least is trying
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Has he heard a gun before?

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Yes - he not bothered by guns
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lots of shooting near us in Suffolk.

The retrieveing is frustrating - it's meant to be the easiest bit to train in labs surely
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This is our weak point aswell! (i see a trend!)

The running behind you bit, when you train can you do it somewhere where you have a wall?
You can do it in your hallway doesn't have to be a field. Get your back up against the wall & then he can't go behind you? May circle infront of you instead!! LOL! But at least you are in a controlled enviroment & when he get's the idea & is doing it naturally you can try in a garden again with your back against something solid?
 
Stop tempting me!!

I eyed them up before I saw you on here!! Don't think I would be in best books if I use all my holiday time up on horse eventrs & dogs though! :-( LOL

Though were thinking of going to Shetlands for a week we could combine!!!...
 

Helen is top banana.

Very normal and always happy to give advice, put you back on track, explain where you are doing right or wrong.

Of course, she is very successful herself !
 
Hi - just seen this!

Have you decided what you want to do with him? What sort of work will you require? Will you want him as a peg dog, rough shooting dog or picker up etc? What sort of shoots do you go on - small syndicate, large commercial...?

Its sounds to me you have most of the basics in place and I definitely don't think its too late to fine tune him. A dog isn't ready to do a proper season before the age of 2 anyway.

It all depends on what sort of work you want him to do as to how to continue your training - however I truly believe that your stop whistle and recall must be 100%.

You want him to be steady and not run in, so lots of throwing out dummies, making him sit and stay and going out and retrieving most of them yourself, let him have a couple if he's good.

Don't worry too much about the retrieving to hand, if you make a deal of it now it oftens gets worse. K9H gave good advice of practising this in a hallway. As soon as he brings it to you, throw out another dummy - but stop this if he starts to drop the first one - its a nightmare if they get into this habit!

Try tying some wings/feathers to your dummies and putting a cut off pair of old tights over the top, when he gets used to the feel, take off the tights and let him get used to picking up feathers, its takes them a while to get used to holding them. Then progress to cold game etc but don't leap before you can run
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Personally I have found this site invaluable - they really welcome new members and are so helpful. I also bought the booklet advertised on the front which is very basic but gives little programme to follow. http://gundogandbirddogforums.yuku.com/

Good luck - you'll have loads of fun with him
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