What should I be looking for??

[Precision]

Hi All,

I have a 16month old springer who has had training. Unfortunately I think I may of given him to many bad habits when he was a pup to pull him back round. I will keep trying with him tho.

I was new to training and didn't no what to really do or expect, I'm now very serious about getting a young pup to train to take out ruff shooting when we go or even trailing.

Could you give me some do and donts for when looking for a new dog and also what I should be looking out for?? Does having papers really matter all that much?? And how much at tension should I take to where he ones from???

Thanks. All info would be great fully received.

[nigelb]

I'm no expert, but getting another pup as well as your 16 month old springer is in my opinion asking for double trouble. I would personally find a trainer and work on the one you have, after all he is still a young dog, and I'm sure that with the right help you could bring him round.

[Gazelle1000]

I agree get a trainer to access your dog then make a judgement from there.

Not all dogs make it to the field and I failed with my 1st and moved him onto a pet home which was the right decision for the dog.

Since then I bought a fully trained gundog for the season and a pup and learnt from all the mistakes I made with my 1st and she's now 7 month and coming on great

[Charlie mac]

What makes you think all is lost with the dog you have got? I had a few problems with mine as made mistakes when he was young, he is now 2 but has come on great over the last 9/10 month since going seeing a trainer and changing the way I went about things. I now work him in the beating line on a local shoot.

In my opinion unless you have a lot of time on your hands I wouldn't get a pup just yet, you would have to walk/train them seperatly as pup will need 100% attention and once old enough it is possible that the older dog will undo training if he isn't steady/obedient by teaching the pup bad habits.

Like others have suggested book in with a good trainer and give it 6 month to see if you can get out of your dog what you want.

[Precision]

I had some lessons from a trainer and I have to admit they really did help. I picked up on where I was going wrong and felt I learnt quickly. The dog learnt quickly too and hes been much better since. Unfortunately the trainer was quite un reliable and some weeks let me down.

I'm currently looking around for a new trainer to take a look over gunner in case im wrong about being to far gone I would love nothing more then to get him out. I just get a feeling I won't be able to as he still is pretty dis abedant even now after the effort I have put in.

I can't see me getting rid of my dog as I do have certain loyalty to him and as I've said it's not his falt I taught him wrong. I just don't want to make the mistakes I made befor and prepare a little better this time.

[Charlie mac]

What are the main things you are struggling with ?

Steadiness , recall, delivery ?

[Rascal]

Which county are you in? Maybe a member could then recommend a good one in your area.

Rascal

[Precision]

What do you mean by steadiness?? His recalls depends. Yesterday and today he was a nightmare. Other days he's as good as gold but never consistent. Deliverys was some thing we didn't work on as I was told he has to learn all he other stuff first. Recalls lead work stuff like that. His stays are really good I think but I did that from an early age.

I'm in the worcestershire area.

[Callthatagundog]

Steadiness is exactly what it says on the tin! It is when the dog will sit quietly to all manner of distractions such as other dogs romping around, thrown dummies, starting pistols, etc and most importantly, to shot, until given the command to carry on hunting, retrieve, recall, whatever.
When to introduce steadiness training will depend mainly on the nature of the dog but there is a danger in introducing it too early which can result in the dog losing confidence and becoming sticky or, if you overdo the training, becoming bored and switching off.

I agree with the other posts that suggest you hotfoot it to a good trainer. It sounds to me like your training programme has lacked structure - think building blocks, the foundations need to be in place before moving on. The trainer will be able to give you that structure, assess your relationship with/handling of the dog and give you 'homework' to enable you to progress. Think about group training also - it provides good social interaction for you and the dog and you learn a lot by watching other handlers.

I would definitely not be looking to get another pup just yet. Harsh, but who's to say you wouldn't end up repeating the mistakes of the past? Far better to create a new load of mistakes

Don't beat yourself up over the mistakes - we all make them, particularly as every dog is an individual. Yours is only 16mths but will be around until 12 - 13. Plenty of time to work on getting it right.

Good luck

Sarah xx

[Precision]

Thanks Sarah,

I appreciate your honesty. And no deep down that every oneis probably right. Today's mission is to find a new trainer ;-)