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I am writing this letter in hopes to find some advice or encouragement. I
own an English Springer Spaniel that is just about 1 1/2 years
old(neutered). This was his first year hunting. The dog seems to be
extremely "birdy" in my opinion. (I'm not sure how good my opinion is!)
He does not range too far. His command vocabulary include: hup, stay,
here,& give although they aren't as strong as i'd like. He seems to
respond to hand & whistle commands to some degree. I managed to down two
grouse over him this year. The first grouse was "winged" and I never
would have found the bird without him.
The problem is with the delivery. His temperament seems to be bold and he is very reluctant to bring the bird to hand. He'll bring it to my proximity. When I do get to him, he seems to have "lock jaw" and even growls at the thought of releasing the bird. (I still haven't found a good method of getting him to release the bird). I can usually get within 6-7 feet of him but he doesn't like me to get alot closer. Once I ran the other way, and that got his attention, enough that I could catch him. I do not doubt for one minute that his obedience to the commands "here" and "give" need work. In the "Late Season" (PA) I put a 6-7 foot check cord on him, but didn'y get the opportunity to use it. In training, with a check cord, he will retrieve everything, but still wants to play "tug-o war" with whatever he has in his mouth. Without the check cord, he does not want to retrieve to hand very well. He wants to play chase. The dog seems to be bold and can be stubborn. I've been as patient as possible, and don't know how tough I should be on him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Kevin Snyder Kevin,,, here are a few tips for you. 1) your check cord is too short, you need at least twenty feet of cord which will be stiff enough not to easily tangle in brush. 2) as for getting him to release the retrieve,,,using the cord bring him in with either the dummy or bird in his mouth, not roughly but firmly and quickly repeating the command "fetch" over and over as you reel him in. When you get him to you reach over the dog with your right hand placing the hand under his belley just even with the flank while placing your other hand just under his mouth or gently on the object being retrieved,,,lift the dog from the flank repeating the command give until he drops the item. you may well end up with him standing on his head before it is over but repeatedly performing this exercise will definitely eventually prove out. email me if you need further explaination. CR
Charles Rose |
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