Gundog Training Forum

Right... where do i start?

I bought an ESS nearly 4 years ago as a pup as a pet. Since then I have decided to join a local syndicate shoot which means I need a dog. PROBLEM! She isn't trained and I am finding it hard. The bitch is very food orientated which is a blessing but am struggling on a number of aspects:

recall - sometimes it's brilliant and other times it's awful especially when she's flushed a bird as she'll chase, tried long lead for a few months but hasn't worked along with food which has improved but not perfect.
hunting - when we're walking through our farm she will just run off a lot further than wanted and obviously having no good solid recall I cant get her back. I want her to work in front of me so also need to address this.

The stop whistle isn't bad but just needs a bit of conditioning and lead work to heel also isn't bad. She has no interest in a ball or retrieving so not going to mention that at this stage as want the basics nailed. If anyone could help it would be very appreciated.

James

Well my opinion is you have a lot of work to do but you OP indicates lots of reason for optimism. Her enthusiasm to chase birds indicates a strong desire to hunt. This really can't be trained so be thankful it is there in her nature. The other issues are all things which can be trained without a lot of difficulty including retrieving.

I don't think I have the strength to help you with everything tonight but I would start with building a solid recall. As she is food oriented this should not be that difficult. I have read (and not seen evidence to disagree) that it takes 30 repetitions for a dog to learn a command. If they have been allowed to ignore it, it takes 90 to fix that. I would suggest you start your 90 repetitions of enforced and praised recall with no more than 4-5 a day. In a month you will be ready to move on to the next stage and at that time come back and ask for more advice.

Sorry I can't offer a quick fix but they are dogs and not robots (thank God)

CockerCanuck wrote: ↑Thu May 03, 2018 10:08 pm Well my opinion is you have a lot of work to do but you OP indicates lots of reason for optimism. Her enthusiasm to chase birds indicates a strong desire to hunt. This really can't be trained so be thankful it is there in her nature. The other issues are all things which can be trained without a lot of difficulty including retrieving.

I don't think I have the strength to help you with everything tonight but I would start with building a solid recall. As she is food oriented this should not be that difficult. I have read (and not seen evidence to disagree) that it takes 30 repetitions for a dog to learn a command. If they have been allowed to ignore it, it takes 90 to fix that. I would suggest you start your 90 repetitions of enforced and praised recall with no more than 4-5 a day. In a month you will be ready to move on to the next stage and at that time come back and ask for more advice.

Sorry I can't offer a quick fix but they are dogs and not robots (thank God)

CC has you starting in a good place. You will have your work cut out for you. as the initial recall training develops begin work on retrieving short distances in the beginning 10-20 ft expand as the dog develops strengths. Gun proofing is going to be very important as well Lets not cover that at this time. There are many ways to it however I only believe in one way, the right way, I' ll post a link on that subject if needed.