encouraging a puppy

[yellow belly 0]

hi guys/girls

 

i have a fantastic little 14 week old springer pup and shes a pleasure to take out on her walks. she already comes back to the whistle and sits when asked of her and thats as much training i've done with her. i encourage her to hunt with "find it" and shes already putting her nose to the ground and scamppers off to find what she can. but heres my "problem" if there is one. shes more then happy to follow her nose if the grass aint too high or thick, how can i encourage her to get on in the long grass or is it a case of wait and she'll do it herself in her own time?!

 

cheers

[rickyspringer 15]

shes a baby mate, forget about trying to gt her to get hunting, thats the easy part..just let her explore and learn the way of life, don't over do the training, and don't allow to much free reign... If you do either you will regret it, play training is the key in a few months time, just stick to that recall, and the sit thats the foundation mate.

 

And for the initial question, she will soon be ripping holes through the long grass and eventually bashing brambles, you want her to do when you have asked for it otherwise you will release a free hunting machine!

 

Good Luck mate

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Agreed

 

They will tend to pick around the longer stuff initially but it will come in time (although with a springer the willingness to hit cover is never as good as with a cocker. unfortunately springers are just not in the same league in cover)**

 

Just make sure that the recall is there and that the pup is willing to come all the way in. Personally i crouch down and let the dog jump up at me. As a result i have a 2 year old cocker that often doesnt even break stride before he jumps up / hits my legs when he comes back or he ends up sitting on my feet.

 

This is important for retrieving because you want the dog to come right in to you and give you the retrieve. Again i have my cocker jump up when he is bringing something back because (a) they are a long way down and its easier to take the retrieve when you are holding a gun ( if they have to jump up and give it to you then there is less likelyhood that you will end up chasing them around (looks hilarious but is irritating)

 

Apart from that just give the dog as much varied experience as you can. Get it on a quad, in the car, round other dogs and stock and enjoy its early months

 

Dan

 

** Thats a joke

[yellow belly 0]

cheers guys thats loads of help! as for not pushing the training. i was'nt going to introduce anything new till she was 6months old. i've also go joe irving's book on training spaniels, anything you'd not recomend that he does, and if so why? i just wanted to make sure i was doing as much as i could without over doing it! as for getting her out and about. she comes most places with me, in the car used to be a drama for the first 4 or 5 rides. now she just gets her head down or watches the world go by!! any tips or tricks regarding introducing her to livestock?

 

thanks again!!!

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Joe Irvings book is very good, can say that there is anything in there that i dont agree with really.

 

Good basis to work from and develop your dog.

 

As for livestock, try introducing the dog to lambs pet lambs are especially good because they dont tend to run away.

 

One way to do it is on the lead and as soon as the dog looks at the stock give it a sharp tug and keep walking. Should over time get the message that it shouldnt even look at sheep etc.

 

Do not let the dog chase anything (at all) because one 'lesson' like that sticks with the dog more than 100 lessons in not chasing!