Guest Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 I seem to have a problem with my spaniel not going into cover when it's dark. I don't want to throw a dummy in because she associates that with pleasure.I don't now why i want her to go into cover at night but with the dark nights i want her to practice going into cover. i have not forced the issue but just wondered if they don't work cover when it's dark. I don't have this problem during the day when it's light she is a hard working dog not the fastest but she does whats she's told even on rabbits and gunfire. Could anybody advise please. Thanks Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 (edited) I think you dog has got common sense, I wouldn't run headlong into a thorny hedge at night either. If there is no need for it to go into cover in the dark then let it go, it's just not an issue as you won't be doing that with a gun, plus there is a greater possibility of injury at night. Edited November 13, 2013 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Why would you want to risk that? cost me a fortune at the vets a while back. Its not like you want a dog flushing birds jugging on the ground or rabbits you will never be able to shoot at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 i would never work my dogs IN COVER in the dark.......you are just asking for trouble....imajine how you would feel if it came back to you with its eye jagged out !!!! however i do work my dogs in the dark on the marshes at the end of the duck flight all they have to deal with is reeds rushes grass and water, if this is what you want to do, then start training you dog in the garden where know it is safe , with dummies and dead ducks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 How old is your dog and what sort of cover are you talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 I wouldn't send my dog into cover at night either, list of possible injuries are endless. PLUS if the dog does get an injury you could change a dog that hits cover hard for fun into one that's cover shy in daylight too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushjob Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 Another one wondering why? IMHO you train for reality - why would you try to train a dog to do something the dog would never do whilst working and why would you expose the dog to the increased risk of injury? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 Thanks for all the replies guys, And your right but the problem is that when we are out shooting she is reluctant to go into cover when there is no sent she just sicks her nose in. so i just wanted to practice, but the dark nights have now upon us so its just the weekends then. Thank you all for responding it is my first dog and she is now three years old. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW80 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Why do you not throw a dummy in because the dog takes pleasure in it? Thats the bit i can't get my head round!! If your dog takes pleasure in hunting a dummy in cover then surely that's what you need to get it entering cover day or night!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavvy Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Maybe the dog is a bit clever, if there is no scent maybe there is nothing in there. Trust your dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I am not going to bother with sending her into cover during darkness because there is no need i don't shoot at night with my shotgun so i am not going to risk injury. I took her rough shooting this morning and she flushed a rabbit out of thick nettles and sat on the whistle,the rabbit got shot and she retrieved straight to me and now the rabbit is in my belly. The reason i don't want to throw dummies into cover is i don't want the dog to associate getting nettled with retrieving dummies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I am not going to bother with sending her into cover during darkness because there is no need i don't shoot at night with my shotgun so i am not going to risk injury. I took her rough shooting this morning and she flushed a rabbit out of thick nettles and sat on the whistle,the rabbit got shot and she retrieved straight to me and now the rabbit is in my belly. The reason i don't want to throw dummies into cover is i don't want the dog to associate getting nettled with retrieving dummies. I'm awfully sorry but I don't understand this at all. You won't throw a dummy in to encourage her to hunt cover because she might get nettled but it's fine to send her in with no reward at the end and risk it anyway? Reward = trusting you when you tell her to go in that there's something worth going in for. Without this trust you'll never train on blinds... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I'm awfully sorry but I don't understand this at all. You won't throw a dummy in to encourage her to hunt cover because she might get nettled but it's fine to send her in with no reward at the end and risk it anyway? Reward = trusting you when you tell her to go in that there's something worth going in for. Without this trust you'll never train on blinds... I don't understand me either......lol thanks for the advice...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Lol I have the same problem Are you coming beating on our shoot? I notice Paul223 commented on your 'beater available' post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I am not going to bother with sending her into cover during darkness because there is no need i don't shoot at night with my shotgun so i am not going to risk injury. I took her rough shooting this morning and she flushed a rabbit out of thick nettles and sat on the whistle,the rabbit got shot and she retrieved straight to me and now the rabbit is in my belly. The reason i don't want to throw dummies into cover is i don't want the dog to associate getting nettled with retrieving dummies. You have thick nettles at this time of year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Lol I have the same problem Are you coming beating on our shoot? I notice Paul223 commented on your 'beater available' post Yes i am. i was going to come on the first shoot but my dog ran through some barb wire and injured herself. I have done a duck shoot with her this year and 2 pheasant shoots and she did very well on both and remained steady, She just just won't go into thick cover with nettles unless there is sent,if there is she will turn the cover upside down. Thanks Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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