enniskillen Posted September 21, 2005 Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Hi guys,have just got my springer pup,7 weeks old this saturday.Have been reading through some of the excellent tips on training but have one question. At what age is it best to start the training? I was around hunting dogs as a lad as my father always had them but have never trained one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniskillen Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 Here's a pic of Jess.sorry quality not 2 good.Took with phone camera,will try to get one with the digi camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 hi EK nice lil pup :thumbs: The thread with NTTF helping me with my Lab should give plenty of pointers.... did I say pointer! I ment springer... One thing I have found is there are many books and CD/DVD'S on gundog training but few show you things that go wrong and how to overcome problems, you always get some smart trainer who seems to get it right all the time and never makes a mistake....ho hum maybee its just me. NTTF is the man to ask follow his advise and you will not go far wrong. pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Inniskiln I like to start the basic obediance skills at 8 or 9 weeks.Just concentrate on his sits, laydown, recall, waits stays. Take everything slow and keep it fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniskillen Posted September 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Thanks guys,i'll start at around 8 wks NTTF.I was afraid of starting her 2 young,at least now i know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted September 22, 2005 Report Share Posted September 22, 2005 Hey, Nice looking pup. I have been advised by the gundog that I joined not to do any serious training until they are 6 months old, just be their mate and let them be a puppy. Ignore them when they do wrong and lots of praise when they do right. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenbears10 Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Martin I was told the same but there is a fine line between being their mate and ignoring them when they do wrong and the puppy taking the utter **** out of you thinking he is the boss. I speak from bitter experience. I think by serious training they are talking about gundog training. But again there is nothing to say you won't be out on a walk when the puppy is 5 months and he flushes a rabbit it is not much good that you were going to train him to not chase bolting rabbits after he was 6 months old. I'm no expert but I would "train" them long before 6 months. Just leave all the fancy stuff till later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAR Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 (edited) Hi, The big problem you will have, is not finding advice but to sift the advice for what is best for you and your puppy. I suggest you read as many books and watch as many videos as you can and then combine bits from each source to fit in with your style. The best way I suggest to start is to look at one of Paul French Spaniel Championship Videos. This helped me when I started to find out what dogs are capable of and how the handler combines with his /her dog in a shooting situation, which should reflect what happens in the field. I must add, that many do not agree that trials reflect the field but as in my previous statement it is up to you to sift the advice. When I first started I thought some dogs in the beating line of shoots I went on, were brilliant, possibly because the owner and his mates said so. As time went on, keepers on other shoots I went on would have asked the beater to leave the same dog at home.! !!!! I think starting a pup at 8 to 9 weeks is too early but of course you will want the youngster house trained if not kennelled. As long as my youngsters walk on a lead and come to me when called I do not start with them before 8 months and then may postpone this to 9 months if they are not mature enough. Give them their puppy life. What concerns me is that the puppy came to you at six and half weeks. This is much too early and I feel that the breeder should not have let you have the puppy that early. I look to pass on a puppy to a new home as close to 8 weeks as possible, usually in the morning of a weekend convenient to both parties. One bit of information I picked up, from where I cannot remember, is that that great organisation Guide Dogs For The Blind, takes all their pups from the Dam’s influence at 7 weeks and three days. For every day after that it tends to increase their training by a week. Wow too much information. Yours in our great sport RAR Edited September 23, 2005 by RAR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul tony cassidy Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 www.premier-pages.co.uk/gundog.. excellant forum mate.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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