Planning training sessions.

[pejay]

Hi all,
I have four Cockers who I am training, some far more advanced than others. Up until now I have always driven them to the area I train on and then train each one separately, getting them out of and back into the car while rotating the dogs so they all get training time. Unfortunately, I am forced now to change my training area, meaning it is a good 10-15 minute walk from the car. There is nowhere closer to park. What would you all do in these circumstances? The only options I can come up with are to either train one dog per day or walk all four from the car to the training area and tie three of them up, which I'm reluctant to do as the younger ones get frustrated and start creating noise which I definitely do NOT want. Can anyone come up with any alternatives or am I doomed to having to find another training ground? TIA.

[Naj]

Group training. I love this when I have more than one dog. Do the basics with a pup at home and then incorporate it into your team when you go out. All dogs at heel/loose leash when I’m hunting one or retrieving with another. Dogs don’t get frustrated because they're with you rather than tied up remotely. You can develop calling up separately from the group, retrieving and hunting individually out of the group so they naturally get used to waiting their turn. Also, group exercising. It all develops impulse control and the off switch. If you’re training individually all the time then I think you’re missing a trick, especially if you’ll be working them together, like one beating one at heel, or two or more picking up. Great fun, too.

Naj

[westcountry]

Train all my team as a group daily. Five minute tear around and empty bowels and bladders then heel. Lots of stops and sit,calling each by name one at a time. There are loads of games you can play with a team which builds steadiness and obedience. Sit them all up and throw several dummies out and send them by name for a designated dummy. You will soon see some satisfaction in having a well trained team. Keep up the individual training though ,especially if one is lacking in confidence with the team.
But as naj says,there is loads to be learned and taught from training as a group.

[Springfield Pointers]

You can easily manage time with each dog if they are all with you. It is also important that a dog learns to be with you, at heel, while others hunt, or work. Patience is a valuable thing for a dog to learn. I would not advise regularly letting them all hunt together as a group until you have developed the dogs to a higher level. Once the dogs have developed further and understand the value of the partnership, I would have no hesitation in hunting multiple dogs together.

[Judy]

Dogs don't need 'gundog training' every day, take them together and do basic obedience stuff while at exercise. If you have a specific problem with one dog then take it separately otherwise its good for them to train together if they are going to be working together.

[Cass]

I think that's great you have a 10-15 min walk at first. Gives them time to run around and burn off there excess energy before the hard work starts. Make the others sit while you focus on one at a time once u get to the training area. If they aren't advanced enough to handle it take stakes with you and tie them out. Common practice in group training. This is probably a blessing in disguise. Lot of good lessons those dogs can learn by just sitting quietly and watching. There's something that pointing dog folks do over here that is valuable to all dogs. Google "chain gang" + dog training.

[Naj]

The problem with the chain gang from a uk perspective is that it causes frustration (some would say that’s a good thing in the context of the exercise) which can lead to noise issues.

Naj

[Cass]

I see that more as an opportunity to learn.

[WGD]

Train them altogether unless you have a specific issue to work with on a one to one basis. It'll do them good to understand when it's their turn. Obviously very young pups need one to one time to understand the basics.

I only tried tying one of mine up once to work with another, it was so confusing and frustrating for the dog it wasn't worth the hassle so I get on better with them (currently 5) around my feet.