jasper3 Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 We got ourselves, a Working cocker Spaniel pup.. we have had him 5 weeks..he is now 13 weeks old.... now !! he has done his puppy socalisation classes and is now doing basic puppy training.... the Sit command has been no problem weather it has been ..said..or hand signal or even whistle.. nor has the recall.... I introduced the whistle this week (211.5) he responded to it right away... 1 peep = sit 2 peeps = recall the one problem that he did have like 99% of puppies is the jump up at people when greeting..... i have started to give the sit command when people approach, so he can greet them without jumping up..i also do this when greeting with other dogs too .... (is that the right thing to do ? ) today i took him to a small game fair.... i was really pleased at the way he responded to other dogs... but i was a bit worried about taking him past the clay shot. as i didnt want him to fear the noise..... i didn't need to worry, we made our way slowly to the clay shoot area..the guns were going off all the time.. Kai didn;t even blink..infact he got to within 5ft and just sat.................. now i know he has to be 6 mounths old before starting GD training...but he seems to be doing things natuarly.... will this cause problems later ? he does get plenty of play time ..without any pressure at all regards john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Hi Jasper, Sounds like you have a cracker there. I too have a 13 week old cocker. Its just socialisation, lead,heel, sit to voice at his stage. I will introduce the drop whistle in a month or so but only when he is absolutely 100% pin sharp at it. I find that whilst they appear very keen on new experiences and therefore seem easy to train, the novelty at such an early age can wear off and then you have many more problems. Also on the subject of gunfire, I was always told that the Tympanic membrane in the ear is too immature to deal with gunfire before at least six months and the risk of incurring deafness is very probable. If it were me, I would back off a bit at this stage so you don't blow his brains with too much information and I would be staying a very safe distance from gunfire. MHO and training methods. Enjoy him and good luck. Edited August 31, 2009 by turbo33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyb Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sounds like your on the right track and you have a very good dog. You could maybe chuck a tennins ball out for him every now and again but make sure he sits and you send him when your ready dont let him run in, call him back on the whistle and maybe just get him to sit as he comes back but everything shud just be a game until they are 6 months old. But i wouldnt try anything to advance too early as they need to just have fun until they are 6 months old. Hope all goes well with the rest of your training Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted August 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 thanks turbo and Matt.... he is a cracker ..thanks for the advice about the loud bangs..ive taken that one on board.... i also have a springer x collie of 13years old.. the little on does tend to watch and copy................. just got to taech him not to pick up the bad habbits john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Only thing i would say is that if you put too much in too early it may all come undone again, up to 6 months is just conditioning, the dog's a baby so don't be in a hurry. agree 100% with turbo33. Don't agree with matty re holding him back from a retrieve, as a pup let him run in, let him get really enthusiastic and desperate to make the retrieve... the steadiness can come later. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave C Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 All dogs are individuals & rarely text book, so just take it steady and ease your way through it at the dogs pace, you seem to be going along the right track, but if he seems to stumble in his training just go back to basics, which will reassure him and build up his confidence. Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Thanks lads.. he is always keen to retrieve..and every time he does..i give him a "good boy" got to say...soooooo glad i joined this site..its great to have so much experience on tap john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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