Gundog Training Forum

hello all i know i dont post too often here but I need as much advice as possible. I brought a 15 month old dog to a novice trial today, he done everything right but was put out as he whimpered while sitting. The other dog was quartered on and he was left sitting watching and he whimpered looking to get going. any advice on overcoming this as id like to run him in more trials if possible . I know I rushed him on and skipped a few steps so need to overcome the problem all advice and criticism welcome . thanks in advance

Generally a squeak will only get worse. Some guys can manage it, but most can't...

Sorry but I have to agree with Eastie, it is easier to stop a dog barking than it is to stop it whining in my experience. I know of no definite "cures" for whining, it is tied in with whatever causes the whine. I think you would have to cure the cause to cure the whine.

Wullie

the cause is he wants to just hunt and doesnt understand its not his turn he very hot dog and wants to get hunting its hard to hear there are no cure but hes young could her mature out of it

No it will get worse, unquestionably. Sorry, appreciate you don't want to hear it.

If you want to trial seriously, sell him and start again

Ya not what I wanted to hear at all seems everybody thinks it will progress . I'll try some gradual exposure to stressfull situations some strict steadiness and heal work . Have other dogs work infront of him pick game etc . Bring him beating etc and not allow him participate and if it happens again I'll be forced to sell him as a shooting dog what a pity think I rushed him

Maybe, not all dogs take to pressure at a young age. You can certainly reduce the noise by introducing him very slowly to increasing levels of excitement but the noise may always be bubbling away just under the surface waiting to pop out at inopportune moments.

I don't trial, only hunt. However, I do believe one can train the whine by getting caught up in the momentum of training skills. My experience is to slow everything down because it does not matter in the end how good the dog is if he/she is noisy and impatient. Probably the most important 'skill' of a gundog but we assume we don't have to teach it. Undoubtedly, it maybe in the dog's genes or perhaps it could be a learned 'skill'.

Good on you, to see, if remedial work can adjust the dog's expectations.

I've been do i g a lot of heal and patience work with him and hunting and working another dog in front of him . He is only learning now that it's not always his turn not a whimper but there is a nervous sticking out of the tongue so I just back off and reassure him it's still all fun for him . There is a bitch in heat kennelled beside him I'm wondering could this have added to his anxiety . I can say for sure I've allowed this to creep in its my own fault I'm hopefull but prepared for the worst . Thanks