ESS pup pre training help please

[wyeman 1,201]

dont get confused he should be able to sit and come when called on command now, retrieving should be a game at all times and get him lead trained so he walks at heel.When he has the sit and recall move on to the stop (sitting at the whistle or/and hand signal) moving further away until he does it at a distance Dont let him hunt too much unless your confident you can stop him. but at all times make it enjoyable and try and finish on a high.

 

 

 

At 8 weeks old?

[stroller 341]

Not all at once just a gradual progression, but even at 8 weeks he should be coming in when called and be able to sit obviously its all just as and when but when he does it give him big fuss, its all about conditioning the pup

[cabbiejack 37]

thanks for all your help

[camokev64 36]

Let me throw my hat into the ring.

 

If you want your spaniel to do what a spaniel should in a shooting / beating scenario and not what 90 odd % of gundog owners allow their dogs to do,then with DEDICATION you will be able to train your dog to a level that will not cause :you embarrasment ,and more importantly,does not ruin everybody elses shoot day, You will start to train/kid the pup from, YES 8 WEEKS !!.It is absolutely true as the saying goes "THEY WON`T LEARN NOTHING IN THE KENNEL".

Yes the training starts as fun,retrieving a must ( more in cockers ) and holding the dog back ( not with commands ) to sow the seeds of steadiness.Quartering achieved by moving your hand left to right calling his name keeping him at your feet ! with training becoming more formal as the dog masters each discipline.

If you dont know were to start, go to a successful gundog trainer for training sessions, as much as you can.

 

NEVER TRAIN A GUNDOG WITH TREATS,NEVER NEVER NEVER.

 

Good luck pal, Hope to see you in trials next year. ( YES SET YOUR STANDARDS HIGH ).!

Edited December 14, 2012 by camokev64

[ftm 3,357]

ive trained both my dogs to a good steady standard [never win a field trial] using praise & TREATS! and cant for the love of me see why NOT giving treats is a must? im not looking for an argument but each to there own andd would like to know how many lads DONT give treats as a reward ,i wean my dogs away from treats as and when i think appropriate -billy

[glenng 15]

ive trained both my dogs to a good steady standard [never win a field trial] using praise & TREATS! and cant for the love of me see why NOT giving treats is a must? im not looking for an argument but each to there own andd would like to know how many lads DONT give treats as a reward ,i wean my dogs away from treats as and when i think appropriate -billy

i started to train my sprocker pups with treats and praise on the recall whistle,then when they had being doing this for a month or so i phased out the treats and just kept the praise going.seems not to have done them any harm as at just under 6 months they will recall and sit at my feet every time.

[camokev64 36]

When treats are used as positive encouragement in dog training the stakes are raised dramatically for the dog to squeak /whine !.Yes a very big no no for gundogs ! ( it is acceptable in the HPR breeds even in trials ).Whether you wean them off at an early age or not you sow the seeds for the dog to expect to be rewarded,hence raising the dogs chances of making noise to prompt the reward.

If a dog does not return on the recall whistle,it`s a downfall in the owners basic training,whether the dog is 800 yrds away or 1.Hard hunting dog or not.

 

The dog is a total reflection of its owners training schedule in that if it : runs in,squeaks,cain`t walk to heel and is unable to carry out basic handling commands,it only does it because the owner is happy to put up with it !!

 

All my dogs after the picking up season,Champions or not,go back to basic`s "dog walks to heel on lead,sits when prompted either with hand,whistle or verbal " etc etc.It`s the basic`s that make mine winners,and which makes me proud when i receive regular praise on shoots every week.

 

In training always think how you can turn a negative situation in to a positive.,Dogs thrive on it.

Edited December 15, 2012 by camokev64

[ftm 3,357]

well i must say mine comes in on whistle recall every time with no "squeaks /whines" i can whistle him away from shot birds he will sit and stay when needed and every now and then i might give him a treat as a gesture of my being pleased with him for a hard days beating , do you use your dogs in field trials or other competitions? because i dont i just use him for beating /picking up lost birds and retrieving any thing i might shoot with my air rifle -billy

[camokev64 36]

ftm

Sounds like you have a dog you are happy with and have achieved all your aims in training,well done !

First and foremost my dogs are for picking up and used to shoot over with a few selected to run in field trials in the season.I pick up on driven shoots and shoot over my dogs on rough shoots,the usual day on a rough shoot while walking up consists of a spaniel quartering in front of me with a couple of Labs walking to heel ( just a replication of my rabbit training days in Northumbria and The Yorkshire dales ) GREAT FOR STEADINESS.I must add that other syndicate members walk in line with their dogs,albeit some of these dogs are 30 yards ahead of us with maybe the odd one sticking by it`s owner.

 

Keith

Edited December 16, 2012 by camokev64

[ftm 3,357]

glad to see you didnt get offended by my remarks kieth and by the sounds of it you have good dogs by training your way ,i think every one has there way with training methods and if they achieve a high standard dog then thats fine by me , & probabably you atb -billy