TomV Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 I'm getting a cocker spaniel pup in a few weeks, does anyone have any good tips when dealing with a young pup. I'm wanting to get the pup trained to be a gun dog. What are the first steps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Will watch this post,as i want to get same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Loads of help and advice pinned up at the top of this section mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesman Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Let him be a pup for 9 months or so. No reason why sitting before food or practising recall can't be made fun in those first 9 months though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) I learnt the hard way and tried to do to much to quick, now i have to go back and start a few things over. very slowly and dont rush it. Best advice i was given was to let the pup be a pup, he will tell you when he wants to learn more. Phil Edited February 16, 2010 by activeviii Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Train sitting and waiting and recall for the first 9 months. Just a lil obedience n play fun. Then take it on when its older. too much too soon n you'll ruin the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 thanks for the pointers - what basic training can you start them off with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesman Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Get him to look at you while you have his bowl of food. Lift it above his head (works when he's against a wall or cupboard so he can't walk backwards) and when he sits down to keep looking at the bowl, say sit. You can do this at every meal and just keep working on it. Soon enough he will sit when you ask him to. For recall, just randomly get down and call him back to you and play with him. Make him think coming back to you is the best thing in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 The best advice has already been given. Just keep it playful and let them grow up in their own time before pushing them too hard. The best thing I did with my cocker when she was really young was get her out with a tennis ball and let her play with that, running about doing turns and just generally getting her excited about running about with something in her mouth and in particular being out and about with me. The most important thing is to bond with your pup so that they want to spend every second of every day with you. That way, when training starts properly, you'll get the attention you need from the dog and it'll work far better for you. I can recommend Edward Martin's Cocker Spaniel Training Masterclass Pt1 DVD which has some great advice for the first few months of cocker pup training. Available HERE Good luck and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millrace Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 great advice but surprised no-one has told you the most important thing u ever need for cocker ownership/training........... choose the biggest hardest wall in your house, using red paint, paint red circle bout size of dinner plate above said circle write HIT HEAD HERE use this as often as you require when that little cocker pays no attention to what u have taught it,,,,,, then does what you want like its a ftch then just wags its tail and looks at you as if to say,,,u may be that stupid but i sure aint!!!!!!!........ let it be a pup and then enjoy the rest,,, wouldnt be with out mine even when she's doing me head in they are great little dogs........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickthomas Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I have a series of 4 dvds, Edward Martin cocker spaniel training masterclass, let me know if youre interested. These are so helpful and easy to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 I'm getting a cocker spaniel pup in a few weeks, does anyone have any good tips when dealing with a young pup. I'm wanting to get the pup trained to be a gun dog. What are the first steps? You have got plenty of good advice here already, but it doesn't necessarily apply to all new dogs, every puppy is different and you will have to learn to read your dog in every way - either when it's playing or training, for feeding I personally allow my cocker to feed when it wants, I leave food with it all the time since it was 6 weeks old and he's now 3 years ols and in perfect condition, you need to build up a lot of trust between you and your pup when you are playing with it right through training it, I was luky, my pup was/is very smart - I had him retrieving (properly) pigeons from a hide at 7 months, I shot my pheasnts and woodcock over him at 10 months, I trained him on my whistle up to this season when I bought a 210.5 for him in windy conditions, within one days hunting he was on it like he'd been brought up on it, I really think training is all about the indivagle dog and how the trainer handles it. f3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benellimelody Posted February 18, 2010 Report Share Posted February 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 The best advice has already been given. Just keep it playful and let them grow up in their own time before pushing them too hard.The best thing I did with my cocker when she was really young was get her out with a tennis ball and let her play with that, running about doing turns and just generally getting her excited about running about with something in her mouth and in particular being out and about with me. The most important thing is to bond with your pup so that they want to spend every second of every day with you. That way, when training starts properly, you'll get the attention you need from the dog and it'll work far better for you. I can recommend Edward Martin's Cocker Spaniel Training Masterclass Pt1 DVD which has some great advice for the first few months of cocker pup training. Available HERE Good luck and enjoy! 100% love mine to bits..wouldnt have it anyother way....well !!!! apart from being woke up at 3 am EVERY NIGHT :yp: :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abiteachuck Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 100%love mine to bits..wouldnt have it anyother way....well !!!! apart from being woke up at 3 am EVERY NIGHT Mine would die for me I have a 3yr dog, 7yr patterdale thats killed charlie for fun and 2 HWVs, but mi cockers mi boy. Just remember this and you wont go for wrong. You tell other dogs what to do and what not to do, You negociate with a cocker, there that smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 i fancy a cocker pup not only for shooting over but to work with the hawks,would they work with the birds ok or is a pointer better for bird work.any advice would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abiteachuck Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 (edited) i fancy a cocker pup not only for shooting over but to work with the hawks,would they work with the birds ok or is a pointer better for bird work.any advice would be appreciated I dont think they would be any good to go hawking with, at least mine would`nt be, you would be better off with a HPR, I have 2 HWVs they are the tops for usein with harris hawks etc, as the hpr says they will hunt, point and ret when its pointed your prey it flushes it out and you send the bird. PS. The cocker would be to busy and upset the bird I think Edited February 26, 2010 by abiteachuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 My cockers breeder uses her hawks over her cockers all the time. no problem at all. her dogs are used for picking up, beating and hawking as well as being companions. very versatile dogs with very big hearts. all she does with a new hawk is put the bird in a dog crate and leave it close to the dogs, this way the dogs get use to it. once one of her cockers got to close and the goshawk put it in its place. she has harris and goshawks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 My cockers breeder uses her hawks over her cockers all the time. no problem at all. her dogs are used for picking up, beating and hawking as well as being companions. very versatile dogs with very big hearts. all she does with a new hawk is put the bird in a dog crate and leave it close to the dogs, this way the dogs get use to it. once one of her cockers got to close and the goshawk put it in its place. she has harris and goshawks thats why i fancy a cocker so i could use it for beating,picking up and hawking instead of a pointer even though i like pointers to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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