My first gun dog need help with training

timbperry

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I just put in my deposit for an English springer spaniel. I would be thrilled if I could take this dog out grouse hunting and get a few grouse
I have never trained a hunting dog before. does anyone have any tips or a specific book or DVD which I could do some learning with?
 
The breeder should be a good source of info. Lots of books out there and some neat stuff on youtube. There are many different opinions on training bird dogs. Pick a method and stick with it. Patience and repitition is the mantra. Start with your breeder.
 
I run pointers, so I can't advise you on your flusher. BUT, gun shyness is a sure fire way to ruin a dog... So my advice is to go slow. Find something the dog LOVES, like retrieving for example. The dog needs to be distracted & doing something it loves so that when you fire the shot, they essentially ignore it. Work up from a cap gun to a 209 primer starter gun.

Other than that, it's obedience & exposure to hunting!

Cheers
Jay
 
I used to deal with gun shyness by taking the pup to the range. Leave him in the back of the SUV in his bed (comfortable setting), and shoot in the background.

Just like dealing with a horse in my experience
 
I once got a springer spaniel male pup and I trained him to be the best pheasant hunting and duck retrieving dog I have ever been out with, meaning other peoples hunting dogs where I have been one of the hunters.
Actually though, the personality of a pup is a bit like the personality of a girl, they are all different, even as to great differences in litter mates. You roll the dice and take what you get.
Unless you can do as we did. Friends of the owner of the new breed of springer pups and we would go to their little farm, where eight tiny pups were free to roam, and we were able to mingle with the pups, as each one began to learn their names, then got first choice.
Too long of a story to tell here. Will mention though, that is spite of much I have read about it to the contrary, we had the best family dog, growing up with two young boys, that anyone could dream of having, as well as a great hunting dog.
 
I run pointers, so I can't advise you on your flusher. BUT, gun shyness is a sure fire way to ruin a dog... So my advice is to go slow. Find something the dog LOVES, like retrieving for example. The dog needs to be distracted & doing something it loves so that when you fire the shot, they essentially ignore it. Work up from a cap gun to a 209 primer starter gun.

Other than that, it's obedience & exposure to hunting!

Cheers
Jay



Start with the breeder and as mentioned introduce the cap guy early ...
Like at feeding time and at various other play times.
Do not react to the noise yourself...do not even aknowledge th bang, carry on as if nothing happened.
Do you have any grouse feathers or birds in the freezer with feathers..10 weeks isn't to your to start them with such items.
Easy...hold...fetch'me up!
Rob
 
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I introduced my Britts to gunfire while walking in the country. When they were intrigued by something ( usually a grasshopper or coyote poop) I'd fire the starter pistol and ignore any reaction they had and gradually shoot with them closer to me. After a while it just became part of the walk experience they all enjoyed .
 
I got a few grouse this year and I even kept some feathers. Where does one buy a starting pistol?

At the starter gun pistol,store maybe ��
There are many to choose from and some last longer than others.
But, above average gun stores should carry them.
Any of the stores near you where the owner brings the dog to work ?
Thy would be my first stop and ask for recomendations and a little bit of opinionated experience from here would help too.
Rob
 
There is also a good chance your pup may be perfectly fine with noise. Harley tried to lick the chainsaw when he was pup after I fired it up. Gun shyness was never part of the deal. My previous dog was paralyzed by guns (rescue dog so not sure what he had been exposed to). It is a factor to be considered.
 
I start my pups with a kids pop-gun. I usually start in a different room while they are feeding and reduce the separation as they get used to the noise. I them move up to a .22 rimfire outdoors and as they get used to it move up to shotguns.

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BTW, I like your choice of breeds! This is our Maggie Mae (Field-bred ESS) who is a bird junky!

Maggie_Tank_Feb_2014_011.jpg
 
Couple of good books to check out -

Hunt 'Em Up by Joe Arnette and George Hickox
The Working Springer Spaniel by Keith Erlandson

Be patient.
Don't rush it.
Find and ESS field trial club if you can even if it is just to watch.
 
Couple of good books to check out -

Hunt 'Em Up by Joe Arnette and George Hickox
The Working Springer Spaniel by Keith Erlandson

Be patient.
Don't rush it.
Find and ESS field trial club if you can even if it is just to watch.

Looks like I can get the hunt em up book but the working springer I can only find it for over 100 bucks haha I'll keep looking. Good suggestions I'm going to buy the one
 
My family (brothers, nephews, sons) has always been a Springer Spaniel gang

I think between all of us, we've had at least 10 of them.

The one book that's been passed around between us is "Hup!" by James B. Spencer.

Great book............................My Springer never knew what "Sit!" meant.
 
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