Gundog Training Forum

Still not good to use stick on a dog if I had seen it I would have walked up to who ever had the stick n say would u like some of that to see how u like it mmmmmm and as for saying not to come on the net n talk about it is that not wot this is for talking about things wot we have seen n done

Hitting a dog with a stick goes beyond what I could do to a dog but I do jerk on the lead and I do shake a dog by the jowls while staring at it and I do sometimes give a dog a two finger tap on the muzzle and I do swear at dogs. I always have done and I probably will continue to until such time as I see other people with well trained gundogs that were trained "positive only." So far I have seen no dogs I'd want to own that were trained "positive only."

Wullie

Brave and commendable of you to reveal the practical side of dog training that is a sacrilege to even discuss in most circles. Yes, a dog has to be taught well in a positive way all the desired behaviours that are life skills to having a safe and enjoyable life. Once this ground work is established and rooted, firmness and fairness, delivered consistently, through both positive and negative consequences IMOP are the mortar between the bricks of an admirable relationship for both.

Never heard a truer word said , best way to untrain a dog is take it shooting .Dogs get excited ,just like the rest of us if the occasion suits .The best gundogs I've watched are handled by the calmest owners . No need for sticks or boots .

Well IMO
The level of correction depends on the dog and also the deed. For prime example you simply cant stock-proof a" keen" dog with tone of voice or a hard stare alone! I personally and simply put don't wish to own any gundog that needs harsh methods in day to day training, its supposed to be fun .

All dogs are different, some will square up to you and take their chances if pushed too hard others will flake out and loose any scrap concentration they had at quite low levels of chastisement. Bit like people really you need to sum up exactly what you have in front of you

A bit like "Training or reading the dog in front of you" then!

macbud wrote:Never heard a truer word said , best way to untrain a dog is take it shooting .

Apologies if thus sounds a little harsh, but what an absolute load of rubbish.

Not sure that's entirely true, I think we handle our dogs differently in the heat of the moment hence the untraining. Its easy for you gentlemen gundog handlers who wander along waiting for your speedy stylish dogs to stand and wait for you when they find game, , us ordinary mortals can put a lot of un intended pressure on our dogs when picking up, especially when you have three or four runners down in your area and a few rabbit holes none too far away to which the birds are heading. I know all mine are steady on dummies and the youngest will be steady on the shoot but the older members of the team have been suitably untrained over the years.

... The dogs wait because they're trained. and the birds trained them.

I've shot plenty of stuff over spaniels & it doesn't mystically 'un-train' them. And I'm not even a Gentleman.