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Cocker barking at birds and rabbits


FalconFN
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Our 11 month old cocker is coming on a treat and I'm very happy with her training and what she is doing but there is one issue that I am having trouble with, barking at quarry.

 

She wants to chase birds when the fly over; seagulls, pigeons, crows, blackbirds all get her going. This is fine and to be expected and I can stop her on the whistle, but not before she's run a several meters and, worst of all, emitted whining barks.

 

The same thing happened today as I was sending her in and out of cover she chased a flushed rabbit (she's not steady yet) and did the same whining bark before I could stop her.

 

She never barks at other times and I don't know how to prevent this behavior. I know steadiness training will help as she won't be put in a 'chase' situation, but if anyone has any ideas on what I could do I'd be very grateful.

 

PS she only makes this sound when running at full throttle.

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If she only makes this noise when running full throttle the answer is simple- stop her chasing and the jobs good. :good: Most dogs give tounge to get help from the rest of the pack in the capture of quarry, so get her steady then intoduce the gun fairly soon after, or you might find she starts to yelp as they disapear. Don't rip her to bits too much when steadying or you might ruin a good little hunting dog, reward for sitting to flush should prefferably be lavished

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Interesting what's the best way to train stop to flush? Mines fine with dummies pretty steady on birds and useless on rabbits/hares . Aside from stop command and basics are there other tips? Rabbit pen??

Edited by utectok
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Our 11 month old cocker is coming on a treat and I'm very happy with her training and what she is doing but there is one issue that I am having trouble with, barking at quarry.

 

She wants to chase birds when the fly over; seagulls, pigeons, crows, blackbirds all get her going. This is fine and to be expected and I can stop her on the whistle, but not before she's run a several meters and, worst of all, emitted whining barks.

 

The same thing happened today as I was sending her in and out of cover she chased a flushed rabbit (she's not steady yet) and did the same whining bark before I could stop her.

 

She never barks at other times and I don't know how to prevent this behavior. I know steadiness training will help as she won't be put in a 'chase' situation, but if anyone has any ideas on what I could do I'd be very grateful.

 

PS she only makes this sound when running at full throttle.

 

You will never be able to stop the dog barking, once they start thats it I am afraid, try to stop her and you will destroy her. She may grow out of barking at stuff she doesn't flush but she will not stop on what she is flushing.

You will never be able to stop the dog barking, once they start thats it I am afraid, try to stop her and you will destroy her. She may grow out of barking at stuff she doesn't flush but she will not stop on what she is flushing.

Edited by kermitpwee
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You will never be able to stop the dog barking, once they start thats it I am afraid, try to stop her and you will destroy her. She may grow out of barking at stuff she doesn't flush but she will not stop on what she is flushing.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Is this something she would have been born with or have I made a mistake somewhere?

 

I think I need to keep her closer and try to steady her (lots) and hope for the best.

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I'm thinking the odd yip is no disaster if ur not trialing. I shoot with plenty of dogs that give tounge and we all still have a good time. I'm sure plenty on here will disagree but I ain't on real posh shoots and try to enjoymyself whatever.

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Thanks for the reply.

 

Is this something she would have been born with or have I made a mistake somewhere?

 

I think I need to keep her closer and try to steady her (lots) and hope for the best.

 

 

It happens there is nothing you could have done to stop it happening. My uncle has a sprocker that whines and barks on the hunt/flush. I'll tell you what we did last year, we didn't worry and shot loads of woodcock over him! If you want the dog for trialing then get rid otherwise keep her and steady her to ground game and livestock and don't be ashamed or let anybody put your dog down. Many a fine dog barked on the hunt.

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It happens there is nothing you could have done to stop it happening. My uncle has a sprocker that whines and barks on the hunt/flush. I'll tell you what we did last year, we didn't worry and shot loads of woodcock over him! If you want the dog for trialing then get rid otherwise keep her and steady her to ground game and livestock and don't be ashamed or let anybody put your dog down. Many a fine dog barked on the hunt.

Thanks, she'll only be used for rough shooting but I was concerned.

 

All the best.

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It happens there is nothing you could have done to stop it happening. My uncle has a sprocker that whines and barks on the hunt/flush. I'll tell you what we did last year, we didn't worry and shot loads of woodcock over him! If you want the dog for trialing then get rid otherwise keep her and steady her to ground game and livestock and don't be ashamed or let anybody put your dog down. Many a fine dog barked on the hunt.

Well said that man :good: :good: :good:

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Interesting what's the best way to train stop to flush? Mines fine with dummies pretty steady on birds and useless on rabbits/hares . Aside from stop command and basics are there other tips? Rabbit pen??

 

Ah, the blighters soon learn to be steady in the pen but course them like wippets outside of one :lol: Try now when theres loads of dumb young uns about in the fields. I am no spaniel man HPR's give you an edge get them to hunt close and get well within control zone when they point or show intrest, only thing i can say is make the reward for a stop to flush way better than the kick the dog will get for a good old chase :D

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