ollie Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hello all, haven't been on here in quite a while but only got my broadband back up & running recently. My springer bitch had 2 pups in May, I kept 1 and gave my mate the other. His dog is a really good hunter already, will go through any gorse bushes or briars without a 2nd thought but mine is a different story. Although my dog is obidient & a very good retriever it is so timid when it comes to any sort of cover. It will not go in at all. Its nose is always on the ground tracking scents but when the scent leads to gorse bushes she just turns on her heels. A very promising dog in terms of her retrieving and obdience but I'm hoping you guys will give me tips on getting the dog hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Assuming he was born May '09 just give it time, it will come. Don't force him into the prickly stuff, he'll go without question when he's old enough to know why he's going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delbert Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I agree with WGD trying to promote hunting a young dog into sharp cover too early will make it shy.Take your time bracken is superb for training a young dog into cover placing dummies underneath- especially where it is broken down instils the habit of pushing in amongst cover . Almost as bad as gorse for young dogs are young nettles and brambles remember young dogs still have tender pads and noses, road walking helps toughen pads as does running on sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Agree with the guys above. Mines a june pup and I have taken things very steady just letting him find his way. Three weeks ago he didn't want to go into cover them almost overnight his nose kicked in and now he is like a bulldozer!! As said above, be patient, he will pick it up. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted October 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks guys. I had her out on Sat & threw the dummy in gorse bushes & it went into the gorse bushes like a bull in a china shop but still won't hunt them. But I will stay patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 (edited) my little fella was born in may......... working cocker spaniel we walk him on the common ...at 1st he stayed on the walkways just sniffing the edge of the gorse, now he is bombing in and out like a fiddlers elbow.. not throwing any dummies yet..that will start soon..but we give him praise when he comes out of the gorse...also if we come across rabbit droppings ..I will bend down and point to it..he will sniff then start tracking..without any commands.. as the others say..just let him do things naturaly at 1st..he is learning...watch him .... soon you will be able to polish up his natural skills ..slow is the key john Edited October 13, 2009 by jasper3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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