Ballymac Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 Hi all need some advice. Have been offered a springer just under 2yr old, it has had no formal training to the best of my knowledge.My query is this, would it be possible to get this dog to be useful for rough shooting, and would it be possible to get it to do the basics i.e be able to keep the dog under control. Sorry I have no more information at this time, but the dog is going to be given to the local dog pound if I do take it.Hope to get to see the dog on Thursday so some pointers on what to look for or advice on whether or not it would be a good idea will be appreciated. I currently have a lab, that is 7yr old and totally gun shy and have plenty of room for dog to run around. We also have a small number of hens, free range, which the lab is superb with but I assume the springer would need locking up, or the hens would need locking up. Thanks in advance swift replies appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 The dog is not too old to learn. Have a look at it on thursday, and if the two of you get along then go for it. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted November 14, 2006 Report Share Posted November 14, 2006 I had a Springer given me once. He was 18months old and no one could do anything with him. On the lead he was an angel with manners. Off the lead he was the Devil incarnate. He was one of the best looking Springers I had seen for many a year. Just totally, wild! Anyhow I thought I could train him! First time out started the training. When on a leash he was good, as soon as I took the leash off.....Gone!! Took him and another Lurcher that I had at the time out for a walk, left the Lurcher have a run around, the Spaniel was pulling so much I let him off the lead, thought he would come back with the Lurcher. NO CHANCE he was gone. So I walked away and left him. 4 hrs later the wife tells me there is a dog on the back wall. It’s the Springer he had found his way home. When I let him into the kennel I noticed that he was limping. Did not take a lot of notice as I still had the hump on with him. Next day he was limping real badly and one of his front legs was really swollen, when I looked at it I found two puncture marks on it. So it was straight to the vets. Vet confirmed that he had been bitten buy an Adder. By this time the leg was so swollen that the skin was starting to split it was over 3" in diameter. Daily visits to the vet, was the order then, for antibiotic injections. The upshot of all this was the dog had actually cooled down and when left off the lead could not run anywhere so was totally under control. He found out in the next few weeks that it can be fun listening to me and working under control. When the time came for the bandages and leg support to come off. I thought I would be in for an outing with the dog with him running off and going loopy again. But No It was quite the opposite he was more eager to please than when the bandages were on. He ended up one good working Springer and the chap who I gave him too, was well please with him. So even the wildest dog can with the right circumstances become a good working dog. As NTTF has already told you. If you get along with the dog there is no reason why he cannot be trained as a gundog. Tiercel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballymac Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Tiercel and NTTF: Got to see the dog and was advised that it was no use as a working dog and was not a full pedigree. Anyhow have decided to buy a pup and do it that way, so no doubt will be looking for advice from those who know. Any one from N.Ireland that knows of a suitable pup for sale would appreciate a pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Tiercel and NTTF:Got to see the dog and was advised that it was no use as a working dog and was not a full pedigree. Anyhow have decided to buy a pup and do it that way, so no doubt will be looking for advice from those who know. Any one from N.Ireland that knows of a suitable pup for sale would appreciate a pm. in my opion pedigree has not got alot to do with it my spaniel is not registered but is very good for a spangle she sits all day in a pigeon hide never moves she even spots the pigeons as they fly into decoys. had pups of her 2 times so far and sold them all no probs as the folk can see threer mother is top class in her manners kennal club register is just a lisence to print money in my opion cheers kirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 also try taking your puppy classes from an early age gets them used to being with other dogs gets them the basic sit and stay they can fetch soft toys gives the basic fetching and makes it fun we my partner and myself took my springer from the age of 11weeks to the classes the dog loved it as it was made to be fun but learned her the basics at an early age but dont take her near a gun until shes about a year at least hope this is of interest to you mate cheers kirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Ballymac if you want the name and number of the guy where I got my lab give me a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballymac Posted November 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Kirky640, agree that pedigree does n't guarantee a good dog. And have been given details of dog classes in my local area, so will be doing this once I get a dog. Looking forward to getting and training a dog with help from here, training classes books whatever it takes really. Was out with beaters on Saturday, first time at this type of shoot, driven shoot, and was impressed at the way the dogs worked. Dazza you have pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 pm back have a look here as well www.sportinggundogs.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballymac Posted December 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Help required, I have gone and done it, I have got myself a springer pup, collect this weekend. Sorting out bedding etc toys and a ticking clock to try and keep her from crying at night. What I would like help with is, what training equipment will I need now and in the future, when should she start basic training, I assume right away. Which books/dvd's would be helpful to a novice gundog trainer. P.S. thanks for the info dazza, ended up with a choice of 3 dogs different ages degrees of training but decided to do it the hard way. I think I will get more out of it by training the dog from the start. I'm sure I will be asking for tips in the near future as I think it is the trainer that needs the training Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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