training terriers - suggestions for resources?

[ODG]

Hi all... I've got two Welsh Terrier bitches, both of whom I breed, but have never been working dogs, just pets. They are 4 and 5 years old. Neither are gunshy and although both are lead trained, they are not so great off-lead! (Not their fault - I never really put a lot of effort into off-lead training the first bitch when she was a pup, and the other I got at 2yrs old)

 

Lily (4) is the least trained. She's getting better on-lead but off lead will chase birds and follow other people, and has even crossed roads! When I take her to the beach she can only go off-lead where we are away from the slipway and steps up to the road, and I can't let her off in woodland at all.

 

Cei (5) is pretty good. Great on-lead and pretty good off-lead she's fine on the beach, but in woodland she'll disappear and has stayed missing for an hour or more in the past.

 

I have considered starting to train one or both bitches either for deer tracking (they have great noses) or for flushing game, but wondered if it's now too late? Another option would be to keep one of the pups from the next litter or two and train that instead.

 

Does anyone know of any good bok or dvd resources for training terriers?

 

Anyone know if I'd be wasting my time trying to train one or both of the older bitches or if you really can teach an older dog new tricks?

 

This is Lily on a woodland walk:

 

 

 

And the two dogs in front of the fire - their favourite place!

 

 

 

Cei enjoying a roe foot...

 

 

...and 'retreiving' a ball on the beach...

 

 

she was 5 weeks pregnant in this shot...

 

 

All advice gratefully received,

 

Cheers,

 

Pip

[vulpicide]

TRY a pup just train one at a time.