byjovecarruthers Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 I have the opportunity to home a MWD that has been retired from operational work in Afghanistan. There are a few dogs coming up now that we are drawing down and looking to get out of the place. Most are between 2 and 5 years old and are either explosive search dogs (labs and springers) or vehicle search dogs (cocker and springers). They are highly trained and well socialised dogs. My question is could one be re trained as a gundog? Nothing fancy just a companion to shoot over. I have no dog training experience so would be learning myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 (edited) I don't have any experience of re-training this type of dog, but I would have thought it would be a challenge given they are high energy dogs and have been focused from day one on a "find" and nothing else (my understanding of how they work so could be wrong). Many, if not all, of the gundog basics will be missing but the drive will be there. Those two things combined with a novice handler COULD be a disaster, or the dog might be so willing to please it COULD be a doddle. The answer will, I expect, vary from dog to dog. Edited July 8, 2013 by WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byjovecarruthers Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 I'm willing to shell out on a dog trainer to get me started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Without trying to sound smart you'd be better shelling out on a part trained dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byjovecarruthers Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 You're probably right but I have developed a soft spot for a couple of dogs I've seen at work. I would like them to have a happy retirement after what they've been doing. Some of them have been here for 4 years without a break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malik Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 (edited) You wont know till you try. The old saying, " you cant teach an old dog new tricks" comes to mind, but how old is too old? They're obviously obedient or they wouldn't have been worked. Searching is what they were trained to do. You just want them to retrieve what you wanted them to search for... Surely it cant be too hard, with abit of time and perseverance Edited July 8, 2013 by Malik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Depends on the level you anticipate training/working them to - My dogs would be rubbish peg dogs, but for a bit of rough shooting and shooting from a hide they are fantastic. Have a go - If it fails, you've got a pet - Especially if you have a soft spot for them already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Ditto. If they're cockers and spaniels they'll make amazing pets and will definitely make you chuckle quite frequently. What have you got to lose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danddo Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Have worked these dogs for over 20 years, in the dogs mind they are searching for their reward/toy which is associated with the scent of firearms/drugs whatever, the drive of the dogs will be very high and they will retrieve all day and longer. They will make fantastic pets/companions and with patience, lots of it, you could retrain them on another scent. It is a case of associating a scent with a reward, the difficult part is that they have been trained from day one on a particular group of substances and this will be well established within the dog. As others have said if it fails you will have a very loyal companion. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) If all I wanted was a companion/shooting dog and it was no older than 4 I'd be tempted to give it a go. Chances are that if it's been used as a field spaniel looking for road side IED's it's quartering with be fantastic so it will work out as a flushing dog just from it's shear enthusiasm. All the best, I think your making a very noble choice and I have alot of respect for that. I'd love to know what you decide to do and how it turns out. Lee Edited July 9, 2013 by lee-kinsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byjovecarruthers Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 It will be at least four months before anything happens. I've just been told you can request to re home a dog you've met in theatre. There is a lovely little lab that has just failed her search test. She has been blown up twice so now won't go far enough from her handler to be effective. Some one has claimed her and she's off to live in Yorkshire. I think I'm going to put my name on the list for a spaniel. They are used to living in kennels and have all the necessary jabs and checks. One of the handlers reckons they get trained in gundog basics before they move onto their specialisation (think he means normal obedience). I'm not bothered about a peg dog but would like a dog that will at least flush game. I'll keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokie Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Just a thought but aren't they trained to sit upon finding there target and not move until they get there reward . It could end up sitting in the middle of a field when your sitting in the hide . Respect to you for trying though , I'm sure they would make fantastic companions after the life they have led Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 If they have been involved in explosions it might be worth checking if they're gun shy - Big bangs and bad memories (as the missus says!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) You're probably right but I have developed a soft spot for a couple of dogs I've seen at work. I would like them to have a happy retirement after what they've been doing. Some of them have been here for 4 years without a break. good on you mate , they do deserve a happy retirement , give it a go , if you fail so what, these dogs have earned the right to a better life. At least you tried and you'll learn loads in the process . As you say you,ve got a soft spot for one or two , and if your not looking for a FTCH so go for it. hopefully you'll have a loyal companion if nothing else. Edited July 9, 2013 by darren m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy george Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 Good luck to you what ever you get. I think the hunting skill will be there. I wouldn't be without a dog now, mine just happens to be a good hunter/retriever as well as a family pet. Lucky it's not a drug's dog, you'll never be able to take it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 I'd be tempted to re home a military cocker, shame the public can't volunteer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 I'd be tempted to re home a military cocker, shame the public can't volunteer Indeed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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