HELP PLEASE!!!

[Merlin3092]

Hi there, I am new to the forum as I feel I have reached my peak with my little dog he is a 7 month cocker. Training the basic had been going fine and then whistle training to sit was good. Now he seems to have lost his recall with voice or whistle. He seems to loose focus on me and chooses not to listen, I tried to fix it with practice from room to room from a sit then moved to garden. But a field seems a different proper even when attached to a long line. It has also stopped his retrieves and would rather play keep away

Thanks

[Springfield Pointers]

Just thinking how wealthy I'd be if I had £5 for every time I've heard this...

[scot-ish]

so what is the issue? that the dog wont recall? does the dog stop?

personally i would peep the recall once, if the dog doesn't listen i am out after them with a raised voice to ensure the dog knows i am not happy - before i know it they are on there way back. i would then put the dog out. stop the dog and recall a few times to enforce the recall. once i was happy the dog would then recall, end of session and have a go later on or the next day.

its hard to say what to do with you're wee dog as i don't know how the dog reacts etc.

if its a soft dog, you could take the dog of the lead at your feet, sit -stay - and walk backwards, then recall - ensure the dog comes to you. then start to work up distance, and the sit/stop for voice/whistle is in place. then back to hunting to get that back in place, and work up from there.

[Merlin3092]

Thanks Scot-ish. I think recall seems to be the problem my thinking was when I set him it he becomes excited over the hunt them the coming back because I was wondering if there was a way to keep him focus on me to build that reliable recall because as soon as a distraction is there he just seems in his own world

[Springfield Pointers]

Why not look at getting his recall snappy and consistent. You do this by slowly introducing more distraction to your sessions. I can't fathom why people want to get a working dog to "focus on me" when they should be focusing on hunting. Just polish up the recall and don't inhibit the dogs focus on hunting.

[Judy]

There's a difference between hunting with the handler and hunting for itself. 7 months is about the right age to start getting self employed, especially with Cockers and unless you keep on top of it you will very quickly get a bogoff dog. Will post some suggestions later busy right now.

[SpanielMad]

I would suggest sourcing an experienced trainer locally and going down to see them for some hands on advice. If you post where you are in the country someone will give you some suggested names and possible contact details.

[Matt]

I agree with finding an experienced trainer - but before you do, make sure you've thought about what you want and expect from your dog. What is the end point you have in mind? A beating dog? A steady(!) peg dog? A picking up dog? A well behaved pet you can also take shooting occasionally?

By thinking about what you want to achieve you'll be better able to explain what you want to a trainer, and they'll be better able to help you develop the dog you want, not just solve a single issue.

[Merlin3092]

Thanks guys really appreciate the help. I live in Durham and I have the rights to shoot on the land around but I also beat on 2 local shoots and I would love to be able to take him with me but also have him close to me when out by myself and set him out after game I have shot

[Gazelle1000]

Hi

Whereabouts in Durham?

I am based in Sunderland and we have monthly group sessions or happy to meet on a 121 basis