Gun Dog Training (1 Viewer)

pastythegreat · May 19, 2020

Good morning.
Bit of a strange request for a football forum I know. But it always seems on here that somebody knows somebody that knows something about something!
So, I'm picking up our new family dog on 30th May. Shes a working cocker spaniel and will be 8 weeks old when we collect her.

Anyway, I'm trying to find somewhere locally that does gun dog training. Had a look around online and can only seem to find places over Fester way.

I'm not looking at using her regularly/full time as a gun dog, she is after all our family pet. I would however like to work her occasionally and to train her to help with confidence and discipline.

Does anybody know or know of anybody locally in the business and could maybe point me in the right direction or give any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

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SAJ · May 19, 2020

Contact the gun shop in rugby 01788 575198. They may be able to put you in contact with someone. They’re always really helpful in there.

pastythegreat · May 19, 2020

SAJ said:
Contact the gun shop in rugby 01788 575198. They may be able to put you in contact with someone. They’re always really helpful in there.

Thanks. Will give it a go.

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jimmyhillsfanclub · May 19, 2020

They'll probably tell you to come back in 6-12 months to be honest.
In the mean time, focus on the core training requirements, namely recall, stay & leave/drop.

Gun dogs are great, but they'll also eat & roll in pretty much anything, so even if your hound doesn't progress to working, at least it'll be trained to drop or leave whatever foul substance or partially decomposed roadkill its found.

I've got a english springer spaniel.

.....I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy, but they're definitely dirty. A dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.

pastythegreat · May 19, 2020

jimmyhillsfanclub said:
They'll probably tell you to come back in 6-12 months to be honest.
In the mean time, focus on the core training requirements, namely recall, stay & leave/drop.

Gun dogs are great, but they'll also eat & roll in pretty much anything, so even if your hound doesn't progress to working, at least it'll be trained to drop or leave whatever foul substance or partially decomposed roadkill its found.

I've got a english springer spaniel.

.....I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy, but they're definitely dirty. A dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.

I've read a few that suggest starting from 16-18 weeks.
This is exactly my thinking. I'd love her to be trained to command, I can imagine the horror of my 5yo daughter after the dog comes trotting over with a rabbit and me wrestling it from it

At least if she has had some minimal training with game, she may be less inclined to chase off after it without command and more likely to drop it (still whole and in tact) when told to, instead of ripping it to bits.
I'd also occasionally like to work her. It will, after all, be her natural instinct.

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Nick · May 19, 2020

SAJ said:
Contact the gun shop in rugby 01788 575198. They may be able to put you in contact with someone. They’re always really helpful in there.

They are pretty good, I got my MAC-10 from there

pastythegreat · May 19, 2020

Nick said:
They are pretty good, I got my MAC-10 from there

What breed is that?

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skybluejelly · May 21, 2020

Good luck , we have had a working cocker for 3 years they take a lot of exercise , mine gets 15 miles a day on average if you don't exercise them they are a bit hyper , on the plus side lost over 9 stone and managed to keep it off just walking the dog

shmmeee · May 21, 2020

skybluejelly said:
Good luck , we have had a working cocker for 3 years they take a lot of exercise , mine gets 15 miles a day on average if you don't exercise them they are a bit hyper , on the plus side lost over 9 stone and managed to keep it off just walking the dog

Out of interest and not to turn this into the Lose Your Gut thread, but exactly how much walking is that?

Edit: I clearly can’t read. You said 15 miles.

Nick · May 21, 2020

Christ, how do you have the time to walk 15 miles a day?

shmmeee · May 21, 2020

Nick said:
Christ, how do you have the time to walk 15 miles a day?

That’s got to be 4 hours or more.

pastythegreat · May 21, 2020

skybluejelly said:
Good luck , we have had a working cocker for 3 years they take a lot of exercise , mine gets 15 miles a day on average if you don't exercise them they are a bit hyper , on the plus side lost over 9 stone and managed to keep it off just walking the dog

Bloody hell, 9 stone. Fair play.

Yes, very expectant for the heaps of energy, partly the reason I'm looking at gun dog training. I've read, it's as much about keeping their mind exercised as much as their body.
Doubt she'll be getting 15 miles a day, everyday. A walk round the block in the morning and a good run in the woods/fields after work and 2 big walks at the weekend (were national trust members so most weekends at some property grounds somewhere wearing her and the kids out). She'll also be up Snowdon with me once her bones are strong enough for the big walks. I'll have her wild camping before too long.

Were generally a pretty active family, hence why weve gone for a pretty actuve dog. Never owned a Cocker Spaniel before. Always had German Shepherds growing up.

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Grendel · May 21, 2020

pastythegreat said:
Bloody hell, 9 stone. Fair play.

Yes, very expectant for the heaps of energy, partly the reason I'm looking at gun dog training. I've read, it's as much about keeping their mind exercised as much as their body.
Doubt she'll be getting 15 miles a day, everyday. A walk round the block in the morning and a good run in the woods/fields after work and 2 big walks at the weekend (were national trust members so most weekends at some property grounds somewhere wearing her and the kids out). She'll also be up Snowdon with me once her bones are strong enough for the big walks. I'll have her wild camping before too long.

Were generally a pretty active family, hence why weve gone for a pretty actuve dog. Never owned a Cocker Spaniel before. Always had German Shepherds growing up.

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If you are leaving your dog at home while at work it’s entirely the wrong breed and I at least hope you are not planning on keeping the dog in one of those god forsaken crates when you are out

Grendel · May 21, 2020

shmmeee said:
That’s got to be 4 hours or more.

I walk my dog for 3 hours a day. Some breeds require that - a “working cocker” needs no gun dog training at all - no more than mine needs to hunt foxes which would be the same comparison - I dispair

skybluejelly · May 21, 2020

Nick said:
Christ, how do you have the time to walk 15 miles a day?

Out from 5.30-730 every morning 1 1/2 hrs at lunch and an hr at 6pm , it averages out at 15 miles a day , sometimes he only gets 12 the poor thing

but then he will get a longer walk next day , this doesn’t include the runs he goes on with my son as well

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pastythegreat · May 21, 2020

Grendel said:
If you are leaving your dog at home while at work it’s entirely the wrong breed and I at least hope you are not planning on keeping the dog in one of those god forsaken crates when you are out

In all fairness, you could say that ANY dog isnt a breed that should be left alone at home all day. Even a lap dog that thrives at home, shouldnt be home alone all day.
And yes, she'll have a crate. It'll be her space, as we've told the kids, when she goes to her crate of her own accord, it's her space, much the same as you going to your bedroom. Leave her, she wants some quiet time. She wont be locked in the crate in the day, she'll have the run of the kitchen and dining room, but she'll have her crate if she wants to use it.

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Grendel · May 21, 2020

pastythegreat said:
In all fairness, you could say that ANY dog isnt a breed that should be left alone at home all day. Even a lap dog that thrives at home, shouldnt be home alone all day.
And yes, she'll have a crate. It'll be her space, as we've told the kids, when she goes to her crate of her own accord, it's her space, much the same as you going to your bedroom. Leave her, she wants some quite time. She wont be locked in the crate in the day, she'll have the run of the kitchen and dining room, but she'll have her crate if she wants to use it.

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I have had 4 dogs and sorry don’t buy the crate argument

pastythegreat · May 21, 2020

Grendel said:
I walk my dog for 3 hours a day. Some breeds require that - a “working cocker” needs no gun dog training at all - no more than mine needs to hunt foxes which would be the same comparison - I dispair

Maybe she doesn't. But, I'd like her to have some.
A) To help with discipline.
B) To help her mind and keep her mind active.
C) On the VERY odd occasion I go out hunting rabbits, it'd be nice to have a companion, and somebody to do the running.
It is after all what they were bred to do. Like it or not, it's in their genes.

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pastythegreat · May 21, 2020

Grendel said:
I have had 4 dogs and sorry don’t buy the crate argument

Every dog is different.
I've had 2 dogs (this will be my third) my nan had dogs her entire life. I'm not new to dogs.
I've had 2 German Shepherds, one wouldnt sleep without a crate, used to lay at night pining. The other wouldnt go in it. Slept in a tiny gap she could barely fit in between the bed and the wardrobe. Just where she felt comfortable.
Atm, Nala is at the breeders, in a crate. So I'm guessing that's what she is used to. When I tale her, from her mum, to a strange house, I want her to be as comfortable and at home as possible. If that's in a crate, great! If it's not, then, great too!
It's not as if I'm going to force her in there at gun point and padlock the doors and feed her raw steak on a long stick through the gaps of the bars. It's just a little space of her own.

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Grendel · May 21, 2020

pastythegreat said:
Maybe she doesn't. But, I'd like her to have some.
A) To help with discipline.
B) To help her mind and keep her mind active.
C) On the VERY odd occasion I go out hunting rabbits, it'd be nice to have a companion, and somebody to do the running.
It is after all what they were bred to do. Like it or not, it's in their genes.

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Hunting rabbits - how nice

shmmeee · May 22, 2020

My new mental image of @pastythegreat

Nick · May 22, 2020

Grendel said:
I have had 4 dogs and sorry don’t buy the crate argument

I have dogs, crate train them properly and there's no problem with it. They have their own bed and space if and when they want it. One of mine can't settle unless she sleeps in her crate, must be a comfort thing.

Obviously don't leave them in there for days at a time.

RedSalmon · May 24, 2020

Got a Belgian Shepherd which needs two good walks a day to stop her from getting restless.

Sleeps in a 'crate' in the house, although it is never locked and she can come and go as she pleases. She is the most amazing dog until she rolls in fox shit!!!

LastGarrison · May 24, 2020

RedSalmon said:
Got a Belgian Shepherd which needs two good walks a day to stop her from getting restless.

Sleeps in a 'crate' in the house, although it is never locked and she can come and go as she pleases. She is the most amazing dog until she rolls in fox shit!!!

What is it with Fox shit???

I know it’s hardly surprising but it really does stink!!!!

My dog isn’t crated but if done properly I have no problem with it. However, we made the mistake of letting her sleep in our bed as a puppy and she’s never left so I’m probably not the best one to give advice!!!

RedSalmon · May 24, 2020

LastGarrison said:
What is it with Fox shit???

I know it’s hardly surprising but it really does stink!!!!

My dog isn’t crated but if done properly I have no problem with it. However, we made the mistake of letting her sleep in our bed as a puppy and she’s never left so I’m probably not the best one to give advice!!!

No idea what the attraction to Fox shit is but it's like a magnet to her. We got a plasterers mixing tub to bath her in when she does it. Takes ages to get rid of the smell completely.

ovduk78 · May 24, 2020

RedSalmon said:
No idea what the attraction to Fox shit is but it's like a magnet to her. We got a plasterers mixing tub to bath her in when she does it. Takes ages to get rid of the smell completely.

Isn't it the dogs trying to hide their natural smell whilst they are hunting? My springers used to love it.

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