Springer spaniel
Discussion
Think very carefully about what you are going to use the dog for and the predominant shooting you will. Its highly unusual to get a dog that is genuinely 5star at doing everything, most are strong in one area, and sometimes you can undo their strong area by working on their weak areas - particularly with picking up and flushing - for one the dog should be working at 40-100 yard ranges, one the dog shouldn't more than 15 yards from you. Its really important to get this right and accept also the dog you've got.
Train and train and train again, but don't put it to proper work till its at least 12 months - too much too young is the ruining of many a promising spaniel.
Training a Working Spaniel is worth a read, the author is a lady who's name escapes me, but its quite a good intro.
If you've got the dog in training which it sounds like you have go and spend as much time with it as possible - its you as much as the dog that needs the training!
I take it you shoot yourself?
Train and train and train again, but don't put it to proper work till its at least 12 months - too much too young is the ruining of many a promising spaniel.
Training a Working Spaniel is worth a read, the author is a lady who's name escapes me, but its quite a good intro.
If you've got the dog in training which it sounds like you have go and spend as much time with it as possible - its you as much as the dog that needs the training!
I take it you shoot yourself?
Tim without sounding "look at me," I have my own shoot across my land for mainly pheasant but I'm now only just getting into field sports. I'm a very very good full bore shot but my clay etc is not very good.
If everything comes to plan and Benji (Yorkshire forum) is able to sort a few things out I will be getting a little clay practice in. I really do need to sort out the right type of gun before I apply for my licence.
The dog will be going into field trials and at the end of this year should be ready to be introduced to the guns (fingers crossed).
If everything comes to plan and Benji (Yorkshire forum) is able to sort a few things out I will be getting a little clay practice in. I really do need to sort out the right type of gun before I apply for my licence.
The dog will be going into field trials and at the end of this year should be ready to be introduced to the guns (fingers crossed).
I don't believe any dog can ever replace your last as their always different, that's the reason we change breeds. Odin the Bernese arrives on Friday which is a whole new kettle of fish but their farm dogs so it should be fine....I hope 
. Viggo was special and the only dog I know that sheep actually liked.
Minty will be a farm lamb eventually and meet the ram in a year and eight months time. But she will always stay with us until she pops her clogs.
. Viggo was special and the only dog I know that sheep actually liked.Minty will be a farm lamb eventually and meet the ram in a year and eight months time. But she will always stay with us until she pops her clogs.
Diesel is now 7 months and coming on really well with his basic training. Tim you are so right with working with his strong points and Diesel is without doubt an A1 flusher. Nothing passes his nose when we are out practicing quartering which is the ability of the dog to flush game as we walk into wind with Diesel working 15m left and right and just in front.
With all Springers of working stock they have very active minds and if your not on the ball your little pocket rocket can turn into a monster. I'm keeping his mind active with lots of mental games which are based around his training. I'm not pushing the retrieve but more of just playing hide and seek with his tennis balls.
With all Springers of working stock they have very active minds and if your not on the ball your little pocket rocket can turn into a monster. I'm keeping his mind active with lots of mental games which are based around his training. I'm not pushing the retrieve but more of just playing hide and seek with his tennis balls.
pincher said:
Took a Springer out for a walk a couple of times at the weekend - flippin' Heck they are strong dogs, aren't they?!?
I'm 6'2 and (about) 15 stone and he fairly pulled me along at first - took me completely by surprise. Glad I had a tight old of the lead!
They shouldn't really pull, it's not been trained properly. I have a 48kg dog who can be walked by a 7 year old girl.I'm 6'2 and (about) 15 stone and he fairly pulled me along at first - took me completely by surprise. Glad I had a tight old of the lead!
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