Dog Training

[tomleatel]

Hi All

 

I have a 13 week old Cocker, and so far he is appearing to be very intelligent. I have it in mind that i would like to get him working, but not sure who to get in contact to help train him and me!!

 

I would like some names if anyone has any. I am in North Kent (Near Dartford) if anyone can help.

 

Thanks so much

[deeksofdoom]

Why don't you try it yourself, it'll be you he'll be working for. Anyway a dog is never trained fully and you have to constantly stay on top of things, going back and doing some work on him before the season starts etc.. its very rewarding aswell.

 

Have a think about it!

[tomleatel]

Had crossed my mind, but where do you start?

 

Have seen some good bits on here...would like someone else to have a look at him, just to make sure he has the right qualities

[garyb]

You need to speak with NTTF (Dan) on Here

 

Basically... the Basics!

 

Sit

Stay

Come

Heal and Lead Work

 

But it must all be a game of fun at that age... and old pair or socks, a tennis ball it's up to you.

 

Get yourself a book from amazon...

 

Training Spaniels.

 

GB

[deeksofdoom]

First things first the dog is not a child don't treat him like one, dogs brains work differently to humans. They have to establish themselves within the pack. They will constantly try to best you, don't leave this happen.

 

Don't leave him up on any furniture or beds.

 

Teach him the word No if you say no he must stop what he's doing.

 

For now you can start to teach him his name, just say his name over and over and pet him. He'll soon learn that when you call his name you are going to pet him and make a big fuss of him, this must be a very rewarding/happy experience for a young dog.

 

Read NTTFs pinned topic at the top of this section, http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...?showtopic=2870 , once the dog has learned its name try the sit command. Use it every time you feed the dog make him sit and when he's sitting he can eat his food.

 

Cockers are a very nervous dog so its important to socialise them properly with other young dogs and people. A good place to do this is at puppy training classes. The classes are more to teach you to train the dog, than to train the dog at the classes.

 

Remember don't rush things, don't over do anything, 15 mins is enough training to do with a dog per day.

[tomleatel]

Thanks for the info. So far he is responding to his name, will sit, and fetch. Having a few problems with him dropping on command, but i'm sure we will get there.

[WGD]

Thanks for the info. So far he is responding to his name, will sit, and fetch. Having a few problems with him dropping on command, but i'm sure we will get there.

 

Too much for a young dog IMO, up to 6 months you are conditioning, not training. In other words, you are beginning the association of your words with his actions and your response. Coming to his name, sitting for his food and bringing you the odd retrieve is plenty at his age.... and lots of fun and play, he's a baby. Good luck with him.

[deeksofdoom]

Thanks for the info. So far he is responding to his name, will sit, and fetch. Having a few problems with him dropping on command, but i'm sure we will get there.

 

Too much for a young dog IMO, up to 6 months you are conditioning, not training. In other words, you are beginning the association of your words with his actions and your response. Coming to his name, sitting for his food and bringing you the odd retrieve is plenty at his age.... and lots of fun and play, he's a baby. Good luck with him.

 

 

, All you should be doing with the dog is playing, as for retrieving..........don't do anything with him at the moment unless its playing. Throw the odd roiled up sock for him and encourage him to carry it back to you in his mouth. The best place to do this is in a hallway where he can't run away from you. When he comes back don't take the dummy off him. Praise him and make a big fuss of him when he comes back to you but don't take it off him for a couple of minutes. Let him enjoy running around with it in his mouth.

1 or 2 retrieves a week will do for the moment, if he gets too many retrieves when he's a pup he won't bother retrieving when he's older, because he'll have gotten bored of it.

 

I have a springer that would bring stuff back to me when she was 10 weeks old, then she stopped altogether. So I stopped retrieving with her and only done it the very odd time, once every month sort of thing. Now she'll retrieve all day for me if I left her, but I'll only throw 2 or 3 dummys for he max per day, everything in moderation keeps them keen.

[tomleatel]

Thanks for that. I'll take your advice on that. Never came to mind that he may get bored of it.