My Springer is too calm

[garethk]

Yes the subject title is correct, i have been told by the trainer that my springer is too calm.

This has all come about when i took her for a lesson last week and was trying to get her to quarter. She did do it, so i know the techinque to use etc and i am confident in what is required etc, but she didnt have any drive about her and was working the are very slowly. I was encouraging her to go left and right as i was casting in the direction. The trainer said the area would have been full of scent and she should have been bouncing around and going nuts with the scent. She also then struggled with the retrieving when doing the quartering (it was very long grass). She did bring all the dummies back but it took some time and help.

So my question would be how do i make my springer have more drive when quartering? If we have any birds go in our garden which she has seen, when she goes out she is nuts in the garden, nose down and trying to find the bird.

Any help in this ares would be very welcomed.

Many Thanks,
Gareth

[Alice]

how old is she? it may be that she just doesn't know what she's doing it for yet, and doesn't know that scent means fun...

[garethk]

She was 1 at the beginning of May.

[romanriver]

Gareth, having the area full of scent is only going to help if she knows what scent is all about. If she hasnt flushed game, i wouldnt worry, get the basics and your handling 100% and she will speed up when on game.

[robertmark2006]

A dog that shows little drive when young, can be introduced sooner to live game, through the use of a rabbit pen. A few controlled chases can certainly perk a dog up.

[garethk]

Thanks for the pointer. She hasnt actually 'flushed' any game yet, so maybe when this does happen she will know what the scent means.

[Alice]

I bet it will. does your trainer have a rabbit pen you could use? that would be the ideal place to have those controlled chases.

[Trailblazer]

I have a new bitch and she is about the same age. She was and is at times a little slower than my boys but I have had her in the rabbit pen as the others have mentioned and she is coming on great after a couple of controlled chases. I like the fact that she is a little slower gives me time to get things right the first time so not having problems in the future.
I don't think rushing it as some do is good for the dog...i.e. "my dogs only 8 months and is doing blah blah blah" to much too soon I think. You've got plenty of time, get it right at the start and take your time and you will gain the benefits and loyal companion.

[peterbeater]

Yes the subject title is correct, i have been told by the trainer that my springer is too calm.

This has all come about when i took her for a lesson last week and was trying to get her to quarter. She did do it, so i know the techinque to use etc and i am confident in what is required etc, but she didnt have any drive about her and was working the are very slowly. I was encouraging her to go left and right as i was casting in the direction. The trainer said the area would have been full of scent and she should have been bouncing around and going nuts with the scent. She also then struggled with the retrieving when doing the quartering (it was very long grass). She did bring all the dummies back but it took some time and help.

So my question would be how do i make my springer have more drive when quartering? If we have any birds go in our garden which she has seen, when she goes out she is nuts in the garden, nose down and trying to find the bird.

Any help in this ares would be very welcomed.

Many Thanks,
Gareth

Who is your trainer?

[garethk]

The trainer is Sadie from Broadland Gundogs based in Norfolk.

She doesnt have a rabbit pen, though she does have a chicken "pen", but i would have thought it wasnt really set up to be used for training.