Springer retrieving

[axehandle 0]

I aquired a young springer dog just before xmas, he is aprox. 2 to 2 and 1/2 and hadnt had an awful lot of work. The poor bugger had been stuck in kennel since june without so much as a walk. He was very nervous but i had heard he had great potential before he went to his previous owner. I decided to take a punt on him ( i was being soft and felt sorry for him ) He has been out every day and his confidemce and happiness grew unbelievably. Came out on a few shoot days at the end of season to build confidence etc and has done well. The only problem i have is discipline and retreiving, I fear if i am too hard on him i will knock his confidence and spoil the bond with him. The main part of retrieve is good, he has an excellent nose and will sit, stay, find game etc and return but he will circle around you then sit/ lie down about 5 feet away after a few circles. I am very new to the world of gundogs and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[eddie2 1]

I aquired a young springer dog just before xmas, he is aprox. 2 to 2 and 1/2 and hadnt had an awful lot of work. The poor bugger had been stuck in kennel since june without so much as a walk. He was very nervous but i had heard he had great potential before he went to his previous owner. I decided to take a punt on him ( i was being soft and felt sorry for him ) He has been out every day and his confidemce and happiness grew unbelievably. Came out on a few shoot days at the end of season to build confidence etc and has done well. The only problem i have is discipline and retreiving, I fear if i am too hard on him i will knock his confidence and spoil the bond with him. The main part of retrieve is good, he has an excellent nose and will sit, stay, find game etc and return but he will circle around you then sit/ lie down about 5 feet away after a few circles. I am very new to the world of gundogs and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

if the dog is going a back of you put your back against a wall/fence to stop it , if it stops short then in the open let it come to you then start backing up keep your head down dogs do,nt like rejection , then praise.