cocker running after birds

[suffolkboy]

Help needed took my 2 year old cocker out today he sits to whistle fine will stop to whistle but just lately he sometimes will chase birds,Walked along near a corn field he went in corn field and chased two finches I whistled him back called him but he took no notice ran 50yards looked up then came back I didnt think it was any good telling him off as he did come back,would anybody havw any ideas to stop him chasing thanks john

[kent]

You know even the best dogs can get tempted to follow a swallow or the likes now and then, something about them that just plain distacts and grabs attention. Legging it off after a flushed game bird or rabbit is totally different IMO. I wouldn,t worry much unless its "my cocker keeps constantly chasing little birds about whenever it gets the chance" Only a really foolish dog would continue do this as there is totally zero chance of capture, only if i were struggling to get him off the chase should i be conserned. Doubtless there will be many on here with totally impecable FTCH,s who will never ever do this but yep even those can get distracted now and again it's all about degree

[WGD]

I agree with kent, having a scarper after a small bird is par for the course and not a big issue. That is provided no instruction to counter the chase is given.

 

However, you have recalled him and he has ignored you, so he knows now he can get away with it. Although he didn't recall would he have stopped on the whistle if asked? What is he like on game, he is young so may not have much game experience in which case I would take his deafness while finch chasing as warning bells.

 

Work on steadiness to thrown dummies or balls, and throw them when he is hunting and so he can see it; he will most likely want to run in for the retrieve so stop him on the whistle, you need to set yourself up to win this one, there is no point in letting the dog hunt out and throwing the dummy right over him so if he goes you've got no chance of stopping him. If he's out to your right, throw the dummy left so you are between him and the dummy. Keep the distances short and you can most likley discourage him from running in if he ignores the stop whistle. You can then reward a sharp stop by sending him for the retrieve. This of course all goes pete tong when it's pheasants or rabbits in the mix :blink:

[suffolkboy]

I agree with kent, having a scarper after a small bird is par for the course and not a big issue. That is provided no instruction to counter the chase is given.

 

However, you have recalled him and he has ignored you, so he knows now he can get away with it. Although he didn't recall would he have stopped on the whistle if asked? What is he like on game, he is young so may not have much game experience in which case I would take his deafness while finch chasing as warning bells.

 

Work on steadiness to thrown dummies or balls, and throw them when he is hunting and so he can see it; he will most likely want to run in for the retrieve so stop him on the whistle, you need to set yourself up to win this one, there is no point in letting the dog hunt out and throwing the dummy right over him so if he goes you've got no chance of stopping him. If he's out to your right, throw the dummy left so you are between him and the dummy. Keep the distances short and you can most likley discourage him from running in if he ignores the stop whistle. You can then reward a sharp stop by sending him for the retrieve. This of course all goes pete tong when it's pheasants or rabbits in the mix :blink:

Thanks for replys When he chased the bird l did whistle but he didnt take any notice each time he is out and sees a bird and wants to chase it l make him sit which he will sit,he has had one season on our shoot but not much else.if he is going to start chasing pheasants whats the best course of action thanks john

[WGD]

Keep him tight and don't let him get too hot, call him up and give him a chance to calm down before hunting him on.

 

Limit his work during the day to keep the excitement levels managable.

 

Best of all, get him amongst game outwith shoot day, he knows what it's about, now he needs to know it's not an excuse to go bananas. Aclimatise him to game scent and the presence of game, easier said than done I know.

[butcherboy]

I don't to any steadyness work on birds that aren't going to be shot / hunted for later (Homing Pigeons are the exception but that's another story) as I don't want the dog to pay any attention to them.

 

When my young cocker see's these and goes after them slightly I just give a " Erggh" type sound to warn the dog off but no commands. Get them on game they soon learn to ignore the the stuff we don't want.