Too early or just plain ready.

[Dartmoordog]

What are your thoughts please.

I have a 5 month old ESS dog, he is a very loving, keen, bright fella, and by far the most responsive puppy I have had the pleasure of owning. So far he sits on the voice, whistle and hand, he stays while I walk around him out to 20mts and his recall is simply amazing on voice and whistle. He loves his tennis ball and he now takes my Pheasant winged dummy with so much enthusiasm, never failing to bring it back to me, I just love his enthusiasm which I find infectious. Apart from a lowering of voice and the odd Ah Ha he has not needed any chastisement. To good to be true sometimes.

Luckily I have a field to myself, about 1.5 acres just up the road, where we go for puppy runs and training. I must emphasise that I am not, in any way, hard or forceful with him. So yesterday I sat him and walked away, he never took his eyes off me, I stopped around 15 mts, took his favourite tennis ball out and made sure he saw it, I then lobbed it to his left and apart from following with his head, he never moved, I then gave an arm signal and “ fetch it” he was on it and back to me with it straight away, sat at my feed waiting for the next play excercise. I was absolutely gobsmacked at his steadiness as such a young age. He has had no training, apart from basic manners like being made to sit and wait at the door, and not just bolt out, same in my shooting truck and hunting gates when we are out.

The rest of our little session was such fun for both of us, and to conclude I thought I would test him on a memory, we have done some short ones which he loves, with the pheasant wing dummy, so put him on his leash, placed the dummy on the floor, which fixated him, and walked away about 40mts, stopped and sat him then sent him,he went just a little off line then scented the dummy and brought it to me immaculately. I went home feeling so proud of my little lad, lavishing him with cuddles and belly rubs.

So, here is my question: Am I taking it to fast, bearing in mind his enthusiasm and quickness to learn, or is he just ready and continue as we are going.

Thanks.

Mike

[Naj]

Are you taking things too fast.....obviously not. I start my pups as soon as I get them.

[CockerCanuck]

I agree with Naj but would just add a note of caution. Don't stop doing what you are doing with him but don't think because he is reacting this way now it is fixed in his behaviour. At five months, if we were to put it in human terms he is still very much a child and sees himself as dependent on you. Over the next few months he is going to get increasingly confident and independent. You can not assume that because he recalls well at 5 months he will still do so at 9 months or 12. Be vigilant of his growing independence and keep training. You are off to a great start but a long way from a finished product.

I see this a lot over here with young spaniels or retrievers who seem very advanced and precocious at 6-9 months but are unmanageable at 18 months. The early training is not wrong. However, assuming the job is done can lead to disappointment down the road.

[Cass]

I'm not quite sure the concern here. From what you've posted I'd say you're right on track with where you should be. As CC alluded to your pup is at the compliant age. All will change in the next couple of months lol. Stay on the obedience and manners. Sounds like you're coming along nicely just keep at it. And don't confuse not running in on a ball or dummy as "steadiness". As much as a dog may love retrieving balls or dummies there is not even close to the excitement generated from game. Enjoy him at this age.... they're a lot of fun when the lights are clicking and they haven't discovered their independence yet lol

[Dartmoordog]

Thanks guys, that is exactly what I wanted to hear, and I will certainly keep an eye on his developing independence.

I am now fairly advanced in my own development tbh, I am 60 lol, and not new to gundog training however it has been 10 years since I trained Minty, but in all the dogs I have had over the years this little fella has responded better than all the others, I am really enjoying his company and willingness to learn. But from what you guys have said he may turn out to be an independent rascal, so a careful eye will be kept.

We will soon be starting a spring/summer training program with my Gundog Society, I believe he is well ready for this.

Thanks again.

[Judy]

May all go to rats in the presence of other dogs, I had this with one of mine, very willing and able one to one, started taking her to classes and it went to pot! Just a different situation and it didn't take her long to learn she wasn't supposed to parade the dummy past everyone else on her way back to me...
Then you'll have his second surge of testosterone to contend with too so just be patient with him, he hasn't forgotten what you've taught him, he just has other things on his mind for a while. Back to basics, no pressure and he'll soon be back on track. Meanwhile enjoy the progress!

[Dartmoordog]

Thanks Judy, wise words.

[Aimeetess]

He sounds like a cracking dog, not too much too soon, keep going and make sure it is all fun.
I have to say though. Mine impressed me at 5 months, he’d sit and stay, his recall was perfect. As soon as (similar to above) he got some testosterone or suddenly matured and mixed with other dogs, around 7/8 months, his recall dropped drastically within a few days and I had to get more strict when I called him. He is 9 months now and currently doing ok but does occasionally try and ignore me.

Then again, mine may just be a little sh*t and yours may stay how he is, time will tell! 

[Dartmoordog]

Yeah, I will indeed keep a close eye on him, but having had two cracking working Cockers and a Sprocker.......If you can train them you can train a Hyena to leave a Zebra kill.

[Naj]

I’d just concur with what the others have said. What you are experiencing is pretty typical of a pup up to around 6 months of age. They then enter a new critical period of development where they would naturally be cutting the ties with their dam and siblings and looking outward into the world and from our perspective suddenly gain independence and a loss of focus on you, the handler. This isn’t disobedience or taking the P or defiance it’s just your dog being a dog and they ALL go through this phase to differing degrees. Luckily it will pass after a few months so you just need to be consistent and persistent and stick with the program and you’ll both come out the other side with your relationship, and training, intact.

Naj