Scranny and other spangle workers...

[spaniel]

Ruby is showing distinct signs of wanting to start doing some grown up things. She is coming up to 18 weeks old and has mastered most basic commands and her recal (indoors and in the garden) is good.

Question is, snow permitting, is it too early to have her out rummaging under hedgerows and starting a bit of fieldwork training? Im wary of doing too much too soon but she certainly seems up for it. Would the odd 15 minutes a few times a week be too much?

My other dogs have all started much later at around 26 weeks so Im in unchartered territory here!

 

[Patches]

Big girl Ruby! I cannot believe she's 18 weeks already! That's flown.

 

[spaniel]

Yep all of a sudden (in the last few days) she has turned into a busy, bussling little lady. The long puppy snoozes have gone and she is being a minx!!

 

[Patches]

Oh hell...we've already lost the puppy snoozes too, Lord knows what he'll be like in another 7 weeks!

I've taken to walking him around the garden on a lead. With the snow and heavy frosts, I can see there are no fox tracks. His behaviour has improved dramatically now he's out having a little sniff and a walk. He does 2 x 4/5 mins a day and now cries to go out of the gate. Bless him.

When you say hedgerow work....what do you mean? I'm interested.

 

[spaniel]

Quartering and going into undergrowth....which round here is mostly hedge!

 

[Patches]

Arrr I see. Sorry, I clearly had a dumb moment. I should've known that.

I'd have expected her to be rummaging in the hedges already, without requests. They can't help themselves can they?

 

[Ravenwood]

[ QUOTE ]
Ruby is showing distinct signs of wanting to start doing some grown up things. She is coming up to 18 weeks old and has mastered most basic commands and her recal (indoors and in the garden) is good.

Question is, snow permitting, is it too early to have her out rummaging under hedgerows and starting a bit of fieldwork training? Im wary of doing too much too soon but she certainly seems up for it. Would the odd 15 minutes a few times a week be too much?

My other dogs have all started much later at around 26 weeks so Im in unchartered territory here!

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you got some puppy dummies because it certainly wouldn't hurt to start introducing these.

Obviously dependent on your area but if you could just hold on a little while I would wait until the end of the shooting season and the birds have been caught up before you let her off unchecked into new territory - unless you can make sure your other dogs have worked the hedgerow first - it can blow their mind a bit if they are suddenly faced with 20 or so birds at once at such a young age!!

 

[spaniel]

Thanks Ravenwood. Im have just dug out the old dummies but looking at the state of them I feel a trip to the gunshop coming on!!

I shall start off in the garden and then hang on a few weeks before we hit the fields, I can see her getting hysterical if she is overstimulated too soon bless her!

Oddly though shehas taken absolutely no notice whatsoever of our chickens dispite the collie herding them around, figure that one! Maybe she is a rabbit dog instead!

 

[debsandpets]

I guess that would depend on how seriously you would like to "work" your puppy. You will find that most gundog trainers do nothing bar sit and lead / heel work before they are a minimum of six months. Even then it really is only the basic work that they apply. Your puppy isn't mature enough to really do a lot more than what you are already doing at the moment. I have 4 workers and the latest one is just short of 21 months old - all she has done is sat in the hide with gunshot, whistle work - stops and recalls, a bit of retrieving game to hand and thats about it. She is VERY hot to live birds and we are stoping her from doing any chasing etc as she can be too switched on to it. We would only introduce the puppy dummies after about 6 - 8 months as they cannot fit them comfortably in their mouths and it will encourage the pup to chew or put down and pick back up again to get a more comfy position - before that use a pair of socks rolled into a ball or a small dog toy - mini kong or dumbell type things (even tennis balls are too big for them to comfortablyhold in their small mouths to bring back to you)

I currently have a litter of 9 ESS that are just under 5 weeks old - they have a couple of small sized raggy bones that they can pick up / drag about their pen.
Enjoy your pup

 

[kirstyhen]

I'd be inclined to wait, if she's showing a natural flair for it then it's not something that is going to take long for her to pick up. Easy enough to ruin a dog by rushing it!

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Hello!!! I have to say i agree with Hen, to an extent - so very lovely she's showing an interest - high hopes for the future!

What do you intent using her for? Beating or picking up?

 

[spaniel]

Hopefully picking up but whatever she proves better at to be honest. Im a bit creaky for beating now!

I will carry on as I am for a bit and get a small puppy dummy/sock roll for the garden then see how we get on.

Ive always waited until 6 months with my other dogs before really starting to do anything other than sit, recall and walk nicely on the lead so she has rather caught me off guard!

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Speaking from experience, i rushed my lab (first lab for picking up, before that i had 2 spangles) and she's 4 at the end of the month and can still have her off days due to my mistake of training too much too early

IMHO the basics can never ever be "over trained". Having a pup 6-9 or even 12 months that's fantastic on basics, i.e. sit, on whistle and hand commandments, recall and stop whistle is a massive advantage when going onto next step of 'proper dummy work'. Her direction work should be almost instant if sharp on whistle commands. Exciting times

Can't wait for my next pup .. although this summer is Jake's education *rolls eyes* should be an experience!!

Anyway where are the pics???

 

[spaniel]

I must not get carried away!!!

I will try and get some pictures this weekend, hopefully a thaw will set in and they wont all be 'small black dog in snow'!

Have this to be going on with....

 

[Scranny_Ann]

LOL small black dog in snow - i know that feeling. Dad's little Willow (Cocker) is very very small and the snow has been up to her belly - she's not keen so just stands there and gives you the 'please feel sorry for me' look .... she has to be carried through the deep stuff!!! Due more tomorrow too - she will be pleased!!

It's so tempting to push them when what you're doing is paying off, very rewarding. But don't !! If you're that keen to train i'll send Jakey Boy up to you by courier ... train away!!!

Can't wait for piccies

 

[Scranny_Ann]

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Have this to be going on with....


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eeeeeeek - I think you better send her down here for training LOL soooooooooooo cute!!!!

 

[kirstyhen]

[ QUOTE ]

It's so tempting to push them when what you're doing is paying off, very rewarding. But don't !! If you're that keen to train i'll send Jakey Boy up to you by courier ... train away!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oi Scran.... NO!

Don't you be giving my dog away

 

[spaniel]

LOL, now ladies dont fight!

Ruby would love young Jake to play with.....Im sure my doctor would let me have valium if I begged!!

 

[Scranny_Ann]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

It's so tempting to push them when what you're doing is paying off, very rewarding. But don't !! If you're that keen to train i'll send Jakey Boy up to you by courier ... train away!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oi Scran.... NO!

Don't you be giving my dog away

[/ QUOTE ]


LOL sorry - was hoping you wouln't see that!!!! hehe

Don't worry - the only place Jake will ever go is to you Hen!!!

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Her Fault lol