Problems with my GSP

[seth]

My GSP is playing up to *******. He is now 1 year old and has started to ignore all th training we have done. At the moment he will return to my whistle but run right past, if i try to sit him at a distance he'll return to me to sit. Has anyone got any tips for a first time gun dog trainer. :*)

[crowstopper]

Well is your dog kept inside, in what I have been told and know about young dogs if they are kept inside from being very little they become unresponsive. This I think is because they hear all the noises and sounds which people make, this then means that they ignore sounds which they would usually pay attention to meaning they might not listen to commands which you tell them when you are working them. The dog just many also just at this point in its training be testing you authority but not doing as you wish. When it comes to him running right past you, when he has retrieved the dummy run away from him in another direction he may follow you and then turn and take the dummy of him, hope this is a help.

 

Crowstopper

[new to the flock]

Seth:

 

First off this is not an uncommon occurrance in pointing dogs, so dont loose heart. Pointers will go along fine in their training for weeks at a time and then someone throws the light switch to the off position and they know nothing. You will now work with that same dog that was brilliant before, only to drive yourself nuts as to why he does not understand something that he use to perform without fault. Don't dispair one day , ( in a very short order), someone will turn the light switch back to the on position and he will be brilliant again. I have found that most pointing dogs do this 2 or three times in their first 6 to 18 months.

 

Go back to working the basics with him. Do your yard work and keep things simple. Work on lead, and what ever you do do not become frustrated. You will be surprised at how fast he comes back around.

 

Remember to keep it FUN

[rkidcj]

Hi Seth,

I also have a one year old GSP. Last year I went to the game fair at Weston park, while I was there a gamekeeper noticed my dog and came over. He has always used GSP's. He told me exactly the same as NTTF. My dog Spud's lights first went off at around 6/7 months, as predicted. We then went back to basics and this soon sorted the problem out. He is now just over 12 months and as pridicted his lights are out and no one is home. It is frustrating but back to basics.

Im new to this breed, it seems that they have to test you once in a while. Stick with it.

rkidcj

[Browning]

Hi Seth,

 

Same here mate. My GSP is 14 months old now, and went through a similar patch to yours when he was 12 months old. I followed NTTFs advice, backed off, went back to basics, made it fun, and he's back on track now.