How To Stop A Springer Chasing Rabbits?

[slipper 116]

I have asked this before sorry but still having trouble

what methods do other Springer owners use?

[Gtbaker369 44]

Not sure on what answers you got last time but with mine its all gone back to basics.

i will use the whistle to stop them when theyre working (Training) whenever i feel like it so they get used to stopping immediately on demand. Then when they do flush something im ready with my whistle and stop them if they chase. Keep doing this and they will get used to Flush = Stop.

 

I will always stop them every so often with whistle when walking even after they stop automatically when something is flushed just so they dont get too comfortable and test their limits when working and it actually matters.

 

Hope that makes sense

[slipper 116]

thanks for reply but that's sort of the trouble

when I'm out and about with her I'll occasionally blow the stop whistle which works, for instance she used to chase anything like a black bird or pheasant but I can stop her with the whistle on them

it's just bloody rabbits

[Gtbaker369 44]

I've never done this myself but my dad has years ago.

He bought a few rabbits for livestock market and used them for training. That way you can constantly train withy rabbits and stopping the dog.

[leethedog 3,071]

Rabbit pen if you got access to one or like gt said continual whistle training takes patience and a hole lot of time

[Alimac2 321]

Back to basics, no more no less,

[slipper 116]

could you elaborate a bit mate

[Casso 1,261]

The problem your having is not as straight forward as just having her stop,

 

When a dog ventures on a prey item rabbit , bird etc, its prey instinct is programmed to mouth or to try to get its mouth around the item , it's what it has done from the time it was in the kennel with the bitch , when it was energised , it bit or mouth something

 

The issue really is what does she do with the energy produced in her by the sight smell and movement of the prey animal , it has to go somewhere it can't disappear and when it's not acted on it gets stored for the next time so the dog is actually more excited the next time out

 

In fact the whistle can become part of one of the elements of the chase for the dog and will have zero effect

To be honest with you, there is no perfect solution to issues like these , it's in the relationship, it's in the upbringing, it's in the temperament of the mutt , it's in your experience and doggy wisdom

It's very hard for a dog to shut off energetically, it can't just do nothing , it must do something and that something is wait , wait for the next command , wait till we hunt on again, an experienced dog knows stop is not really stop, it's an interlude in the hunt and the reason he will heed it is because he gets to hunt with you , it's pack, thats all it really wants only as long as you keep the dog social , if your a b*****d to him , he'll never fall into line and will always want to do his own thing,

I always look at the relationship first , if the relationship is right it will just take Practice with the dog basically the dog will want to learn it because when you feel good it feels good , if the bond has shaky foundations it will be an uphill slog

Best of luck

[jok 3,368]

Rabbit pen my friend. I remember long ago, going into a rabbit pen with the then Head keeper on Merevale Estates, a lovely guy called Harry Stangoe. At the same time in the company of Mary Grant, Mandsditch kennels. Simple rule was, rabbit, stop whistle. rabbit ,stop whistle. You probably need to have a check lead on to start with but with a little encouragement get rid of it . I then ran my young springer in a field test (obviously with a lot more training) and got the result I wanted. Strange though it sounds, the grounding was then there for flushed pheasants and partridge which certainly got my dogs attention. Steadiness was never ever a problem after the rabbit pen. Good luck. Jok.

[slipper 116]

thanks for that reply casso appreciate it but my trouble is I am really happy with everything she does, I don't want a ftc but she is brilliant apart from the rabbits

the bit I'm confused about is how do I stop her chasing rabbits without showing her rabbits? I take her places where there are none or so I think, she is fine flushing feather and stops when I shoot and looks for the comand to retrieve and retrieves fine but when she flushes a rabbits she's off, she comes back with the recall whistle so I can't punish her because she has just obeyed a command to come back

I am lost and our bond is really strong

[Hunting Lad 50]

Why don't you book a session in a rabbit pen? Loads of pro gundog kennels that will let you use there pens and give you plenty of advice. Your profile says your in Shropshire give Rytex a ring always gave me good advice.

 

Regards HL

[slipper 116]

cheers mate

[ferreter.al 22]

I have quail at home thAt I use for training.ill just put the dog on the long line and make it sit while the birds are knocking about on the ground. It's also worth joining a club or starting training with someone so you can get the use of their rabbit pen. I know what a nightmare it can be and a rogue springer can soon ruin a drive when it come the the season