jef Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I know it's been mentioned before now but I didn't want to hijack someone elses thread. So, Saturday past was my first day out at the pheasants this year and at 14 months old it was the dog's (cocker bitch) first ever. Didn't exactly go to plan but don't know what I was expecting really. We had problems with recall and general obedience if I'm honest. Also reacting to a flush and running in. Basically if it could go wrong it probably did. We've been training for this since she was six months. We did basic obedience before that but left her to herself until then. I'm fortunate enough to have a 400 square meter pen in the garden that I can use for her and I thought we had been quite successful. Up until Saturday she would recall straight away without hesitation and I was happy with her obedience in general. Likewise whilst out on walks or working at the shoot or on camping weekends she behaved how I think I have taught her and was never a problem. I was a guest elsewhere on Saturday but the host was more than happy for me to take the dog and let her off the lead. Once started, she would work away fine, hunting her space and turning when peeped if need be. Once on the scent of a bird all the training seemed to go out of the window. An once the pheasant was in the air she was off after it, over the field, through the guns and out of sight. She would however return shortly after but no amount of calling or whistling would stop her in the first place. I could go on but I think you can get the idea. Basically, she works well and behaves until there is a strong scent at which point the scent seems to block her ears So the question is, what to do now?? The cover we shoot over is generally very thick and I'm hoping there is an alternative to working the dog on the lead because this would be very hard and stressfull to the both of us. But if that's what I need to do then so be it. Now hiding below the desk............................................. Jef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cushat Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Go back to basics. She's very young and the excitement just got to her. Try a check cord if you're really struggling with recall etc when she's on a scent, but basically if she's off after birds etc and ignoring you then the basic obedience isn't there yet - but there's time, just don't rush it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallarben Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 as said go back to basics as cashat says a check cord could be a good idea take her to somewere were there is alot of sent when she takes off blow the stop whistle and stop her on the cord but dont push it she is still young Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted October 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Cheers Chaps, I realise she is still young but at the same time I'm keen for her to get on with it. I enjoy taking her out as much as she enjoys being out. To be honest I probably know the obedience part is to blame, but I was just hoping someone would come up with a magic answer that worked overnight. What exactly is a check cord?? Do you ever experience a change in your dog's obedience just before coming into season? Thanks again James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris921 Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 my cocker is the same age and its her first outing on the shoot to but she has been a dream everyone is impressed with her as they all have labs that wont go into deep cover and my little cocker gos straight in everytime and always comes back to the wistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris921 Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 also she has been much better at coming back as whilst flushing i recall her every 30 seconds or so when beating and give her a treat so she associates getting rewarded for coming back when there are lots of dogs and game around she has improved 100% since i have been doing this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Do some 'leave' training with a toy or whatever works for her. When she picks the retrieve up give her the leave command and if she dosen't run out to her and pull it out of her mouth. I had to give my cocker a bit of a ragging for a few sessions to reinforce the leave command but it worked and I can get him to drop a pricked bird if I want him too. He doesn't like it though Cockers are very intelligent and yours will learn this in a few sessions if you are absolutely consistent in your actions. Don't lose your temper!!!!!!!!! LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Is she steady to a thrown dummy? And if she is can you stop her, throw a dummy, send her, stop her half way and recall her without her continuing out after the dummy? Not the same as strong game scent but it's a good exercise if you're going back to basics. A rabbit pen would also be an excellent tool to steady her up but the use of one is not exactly easy to come by. Good luck. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 (edited) Since the first post I have done a little work with the dog, though no where near as much as some suggested-just not enough hours in the day. It was our own first day yesterday so the dog's second day out. I was much happier last night after we both had a fantastic day-and I didn't even fire the gun! When I tried to give her a chance on one stand she did run in when the beaters reached the end of the drive but I should have kept her on the lead. Whilst beating, she was on a short lead for the first while then allowed off to hunt. Sometimes she went back on the lead and other times she was fine. Still along way to go but I now appreciate that nothing is going to happen over night. She even got a couple of nice comments at the end of the day which helped alot. I've been involved with pheasants since I was a boy but now that I have a dog it is a completely different experience. Can't imagine I'll ever be without one now. James Edited November 9, 2008 by jef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamHall Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 well done james its nice to hear your getting there ive just got a cocker pup and patience is the key i think :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Cockers are crafty little devils , and if you dont watch them all the time they will start and do their own thing. When training with a dummy , make her sit then walk 15 yards away and throw the dummy another 10 yards , send her for it , then as she runs past you , blow your stop whistle . keep doing this until you can stop her when she is running directly away from you. Try to walk her where she will be tempted to chase , walk her to heel with your whistle ready. If she starts to chase you must chase her , often the sound of you running after her will stop her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuey Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 nice spaniel you've got there hitman? where did you get it, any where local? Any pics of yours Jef? cheers Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted November 10, 2008 Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 PM sent stuey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted November 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2008 Couple on here http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=68663 James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted November 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Another day out today and it just keeps getting better. She was on the lead whilst we were standing and off once into a drive. On two occasions the drive was split and we were to bring the dogs out at the halfway mark to swap. Both times she hunted her quarter and was never off far enough that she interfered in the second half. She did cover a couple of hundred yards after a hare on the moor but turned quickly and came right back. Got another couple of nice comments tonight and we're welcome back to beat the rest of the season. She is definately learning. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Glad to hear she's working well , dont forget she is still young , and you will have good and not so good days. Everything she does is to please you , even when she gets it wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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