How do you control a dominant spaniel?

Some gun dogs can become a problem if they are neglected, and may become dominant.

By Mark Whitehouse

Wednesday, 03 November 2010

At the beginning of his training my gun dog was submissive and easy to control.

We have had her now just over five months, and during the
last two months she has become a very different gun dog, extremely quick at hunting and very keen to chase, will not return with retrieves and has become very dominating. What do you advise?

MARK WHITEHOUSE SAYS: In some large training kennels if a gun dog shows little promise they can get left behind at the back and become almost switched off , and therefore lose out on very valuable training time.

However, when taken out of this environment and given one to one training and attention as your spaniel has, it is like being given a second lease of life.

Try restricting the area in which she exercises and drill back into her the basics: sit, stay and recall.

If this does not seem to be working then I feel the only way forward with any spaniel that you have no confidence with is to seek advice from a professional trainer.

Book a one-to-one training course where you and your gun dog can both be educated at the same time.

With the problems you have mentioned, chasing of game, not returning with retrieves and becoming very dominating, you need to be very firm, and at the age of 15 months the sooner you seek professional tuition the quicker you and your gun dog will see the results.