lawesy

Yes he will. However, he'll then immediately retreat a few yards away to enjoy his prize. I guess the challenge is to get him to take it and then sit/stay to enable us to praise him and then gently take it back, followed by more praise?

Yes he will. However, he'll then immediately retreat a few yards away to enjoy his prize. I guess the challenge is to get him to take it and then sit/stay to enable us to praise him and then gently take it back, followed by more praise?

NTTF - tried your exercise several times today; no good I'm afraid. If we backed away, he just lay down further away, dropped the ball between his legs and looked at us as if to say "come on then, come and get it!". No amount of calling (but not yelling) would get him back, even if we waited for several minutes. A couple of times he came a bit closer and then lay back down, but not back to us. Only if we turn our backs and walk away does he then follow us. This is strange, because he's always good at coming right back to heel on the whistle, but not if he has possession of a ball or dummy. Perhaps I should be satisfied with his hunting/flushing talents and let my lab do all the retrieving! I don't really want to knock his confidence by getting impatient with him, because he is a good natured and affectionate dog.

Thanks for your response. I'll give it a go tomorrow (but not near the river!) and let you know what happens.

NTTF - You may well have already posted a thread on this topic, but here goes: In February, we were given a partially trained 4 year old springer spaniel. Initially, he had a knee problem (which was sorted out really well with surgery and a gradual recovery period), but he is now fully fit and we have slowly re-freshed/re-trained him in all the basics and have discovered that he is fact quite good. He is a super, high-energy dog that hunts and flushes really well, stops on the whistle and comes back to heel. However, he has one fault that we are struggling to resolve; he retrieves short. When we send him for a dummy or tennis ball, he picks it up comes back and then about 3-5 yards from us sits down and plays with the item, wagging his tail. The only way to get him back is to turn and walk away, and then he follows. We would be grateful for any suggestions on training exercises that we can use to get him all the way back and deliverng a retrieve. We have an extendable lead (8m), which we have thought about using, but wanted to ask the experts first.

Just a quick update on my springer's progress, since his operation 6 weeks ago. Well, after weeks of careful (gradually increasing) walking on the lead and 'physio' moving the joint before walking and icing afterwards, he's recovered really well. It's been really tough holding him back over these past weeks (especially when he sees our cat!), but he is now off the lead for short spells and is trotting about and running with no ill effects. So fingers crossed that this continues. Many thanks for the advice and good wishes from those who responsed to this thread. I couldn't resist posting a picture of my two dogs together; dream team or what?

Sussexboy & Ian - thanks a lot for your best wishes. We've only had the dog for a few weeks and the last week has been pretty traumatic. The dog has just taken it in his stride and we absolutely love him. I got back from London earlier today and he's already walking and trotting about in the house and putting weight on the damaged leg, so we're feeling really optimistic. Fantastic, tough little dog. Ian - I hope you get the right the right diagnosis for your guy.

Well - the vet did X-rays and the left hind knee was in a shocking state; the ligament was gone, plus there was cartilage damage and some arthritic material. They operated and repaired everything, so depending on how well he recovers, his knee should be better than it has been for a while. The dog is fine and is already putting some weight on the leg when he walks and seems in good spirits. It'll take 10-12 weeks for a full recovery, but I'm optimistic because he is a tough little chap.

Thanks for your replies folks and for the good wishes. The diagnosis (under sedation) is tomorrow first thing. I'll post the result and will hope for the best. PS Compared to the health of my dog, the fate of Newcastle Utd. pales into insignificance.

Thanks. I'll just keep my fingers crossed until Tuesday. If he has done it, the vet was very confident that they can fix it, with a 6-8 week recovery period.

After having just obtained a 4-year old springer as a companion for my lab (and the dogs are getting along just great), took them both out for a run in a field and after a few minutes noticed that my springer was running on three legs, with his left hind leg raised. I brought them both back and then took him to the vets. As he hobbled into the consulting room, the vet said... "tell me he's already insured, 'cos I reckon he's ruptured his cruciate ligament!". We were gutted (the answer was no, not yet). That was Friday afternon and he's booked-in to be sedated, so that they can assess the knee and confirm the injury. However, having used some anti-inflammatry pils and rested him for a few days, he seems to be walking (trotting along) just fine now and I'm starting to get my hopes up that it was just jarred/sprained. Does anyone have any experience of these hind-leg injuries or can offer any hope for me?

Thanks for the quick response - any view on the type of scope to fit to a .243 for that quarry?

Guys - your advice appreciated on this one...... I am lucky enough to have shooting on my Brother-in-Law's farm in Dorset (500 acres) and have been using a shotgun there for a while now for pheasants, pigeons and rabbits. My brother-in-law has indicated that he would give his permission for me to use a rifle to shoot foxes and the occasional roe deer, of which there are many on the land. I have no experience of rifle shooting and understand that I need to apply for a FAC, but is there a calibre of rifle that would be appropriate for both foxes and deer and if so, what would you recommend as a first rifle? Yes, I realise I'm a lucky plonker, but would really appreciate some expert opinion and advice. Many thanks in anticipation.

Thanks for your response guys - I'll try a few different types, based on the discussion threads that I've read on this forum; RWS Superdomes, H&N Field Target Trophy, Air Arms Field and Accupels.

Hi all - have just purchased a Weirhauch HW85 .177 and having great fun with it. As a short-cut to the right brand of pellet, does anyone out there have a recommendation for this gun to get the best results?