dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I have 2 ess bitches one at 18 months and one at 12 months old and have now started to train the eldest one. I have a couple of books and some dvd's but i just can't seem to get the dog to do what i want. I am a bit pushed for time with work commitments etc. so wondering if this is the problem (no real routine). I've sort of got her to do the basics, sit come paw etc. but i really need her trained to the whistle for next season as I've been invited to join a small shoot and obviously don't want to spoil it for me and the other guns. I've never trained a dog before and am finding it quite difficult so i would like to take her to professional dog trainer. Does anyone know of or can recommend a trainer in the North Wales/North Shropshire areas or better still would anyone be willing to help me get started and give me some guidance to wards her training. This is the first shoot i have ever been invited on and really want to make a good impression for myself and the dog, it's only a tiny shoot with four guns but I'm overly exited about it and can't wait for the coming season. Thanks in advance for any replies Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi You certainly have your work cut out with two Spaniels to train, what books/vids etc do you have? D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Do you intend having one or both of them ready for next season? If both, you'll need to spend a lot of time - problem is if you concentrate on one you could end up with one dog you can take shooting and one you can't because you've not put the time in. What is the shoot like? It sounds fairly informal and you may not need the full, formal shoot gundog repetoire; I shoot with a handful of guys and in simple terms and spaniel which will walk to heel when it's told (on lead if necessary), come back when it's told (critical), does not range too far and which will do the odd retrieve is more than up to the job in a social day's shooting. I take it is walked up shooting and not standing at a peg? I would think you've got a fighting chance for next year if you put the time in, but I'm not qualified to tell you where to start. Look at some of NTTF's pinned topics in the Dogs section and get yourself either a Moxon or Joe Irving (Training Spaniels) book. It won't be easy, but if your shoot is anything like mine none of the other guns will have a perfectly trained dog (occasionally all the dogs on the shoot have the same name - "you ******* *******") and you'll get away with a dog which does what spaniels do naturally (hunts and flushes game) and doesn't ruin the day. Having the recall sorted, to me, would be the MOST important thing so you can stop the dog if it's too far ahead. Good luck WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi D2D, I'm only trying to train the eldest one for the time been with the hope that when i eventually start to train the other one i will be a bit more knowledgable and the dog may have been watching and started to copy some of her actions (if that makes sense). Iv'e got gundog training By Keith Erlandson book and some dodgy dvd's which i bought of e-bay, but like i said am finding it very difficult, so really want some help and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I think you may have the only answer passing them to a trainer one at a time, if you've not got the time and two spaniels trying to do it yourself under the circumstances sounds like a nightmare. My little character of a GWP who is coming up to 9 months is beginning to show promise but its a lot of work. But quite rewarding I was pleased as punch this morning when she found a rabbit a fox had killed last night and came back on the whistle with the body, rather than clearing off with it but its hard work and you do need time. So if you've not the time its well worth the money spending it on sending them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stiv24 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I agree with the above but the first thing I would do is buy either James Douglas - The complete gundog training manual and/or Joe Irving - Training Spaniels Do what they tell you, don't rush & progress through the book at your dogs pace. You only need 10 to 15 mins per day to train your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Thanks wqd, Yeh it's only an informal walked up shoot and that's what i really want the dog to do, stay with me and come back to me and stop when she's told to. There are already three dogs that are on the shoot, two are as good as gold but one is a pain in the ****, it does'nt do what it's told it flushes the birds up a bout 300 yards in front of you and basically does what it wants. Me and the other guns moan about this but can't really say anything as it's the dog owners shoot and my brother-in-law and i don't want my dog to turn out like his. Both my dogs are loving family pets, although they are not spoilt and live outside in a pen, and i just want to see them out in the open working like they were bred to do. I love watching the dogs working as much as i love the shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I dont really want to send the dog away if i can help it, i'd rather be with her while she's been trained as i prabably need training as much as her. Plus i don't now how much of it is true but you hear stories about trainers hitting the dogs with sticks to train them and been generally a bit over the top in there treatment towards the dog. Like i said looking for some one around North Wales/Shropshire area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Plus i don't now how much of it is true but you hear stories about trainers hitting the dogs with sticks to train them and been generally a bit over the top in there treatment towards the dog. Very rare nowadays, if that's your main reason for not sending her/them off to train then have a think about it, there are a lot of good, positive trainers around. In saying that I do feel if you put in the 15 minutes a day in a structured fashion you'll get the dog you need at the end of it. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I work away a fair bit so i could do 15 mins a day for a couple of weeks, then i may not be able to do it again for another fortnight, so theres no real training pattern for the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbrit Posted February 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Thanks to all who replied. Still looking though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORSON CARTE Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 I work away a fair bit so i could do 15 mins a day for a couple of weeks, then i may not be able to do it again for another fortnight, so theres no real training pattern for the dog. daz, i don't think you have a choice, if you want a well trained dog, you must employ a trainer.the dog is 18mnths (a little late to start) and you do not seem to have time, or experience, a dog at 18 mnths is gonna need some time and effort, you don't have the time. regards orson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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