He is reluctant to release freshly shot birds and his grip gets tighter. Dummies are no problem. I've tried to be firm and gentle but it's not working.
Gundogs
Should I allow my gundog be used at stud?
Will my gundog change in temperament if used at stud and what should I charge?
When gundog training, how do I teach ‘get back’?
Gundog training: How do I train my gundog to 'get back' when out on a pheasant shoot?
How can I disipline an enthusiastic gundog?
My labrador has wanted to retrieve from a very early age but now his technique has gone to pieces. I don’t want to deter his enthusiasm.
Can you improve a gundog’s focus?
My gundog is easily distracted and would drop a retrieve and chase if given the chance. What do you suggest to overcome this problem?
How do I stop my gundogs squabbling?
One of my three gundogs is very possessive and is so eager to please that when I throw a ball she will either steal it or stop the other two dogs from retrieving it, leading to squabbling. How can I prevent this?
Gundog disipline – how much is too much?
I was recently pulled up by a professional trainer for giving my gundog too much encouragement. Is there a happy medium between encouragement and disipline?
Will my gundog mature after training?
Because of my work commitments I have decided to send my 12-month-old gundog away for training. Do you think she will be mature enough to take out this next season into the beating line?
Should I send my gundog to a pro?
I have been training a young spaniel myself and although it's my first I feel that I have done a good job installing all the basic sit, stay, walk at heel and stopping on the whistle commands.
How should I train a sensitive labrador?
I have a 14-month-old labrador bitch that has been rather sensitive to train.
How do I stop my gun dogs from running ahead?
Gun dogs: When beating, I can’t stop my spaniel running ahead to the front of the wood before working back to the line of beaters. The walking guns love him for pushing game back to them but it’s a fault I want to cure. How do I go about it?…
How can I improve my dog’s training on unseen retrieves?
My labrador bitch is now 18 months old and I’m intending to pick-up with her this season. My inexperience led me to concentrate too much on marked retrieves in her early raining which has meant that her work on unseen retrieves leaves a lot to be desired.
How will my career change effect my dogs’ lives?
I have recently had to change my job and I have two 15-month-old cocker spaniels.
The perfect beater’s dog
Though his style might not have been spectacular, Buzz, a rescued spaniel, was a hard-working and steady dog, giving Sally Moon some great memories of beating
Can you give gun dogs too much encouragement?
I have recently been on a training day with a professional trainer organised by my local gundog club. These days really do show up your shortcomings as an amateur trying to train his first dog. I was pulled up for giving too much encouragement.
The Kennel Club Cocker Spaniel Championship at Sandringham
With a demonstration of perfection from the winning dog and a show of hunting at its best, Paul Rawlings reports from this year’s exciting event at Sandringham
2008 Springer Spaniel Gundog Championship
With rabbits aplenty, Conholt Park provided a challenging setting for the stylish and exciting hunting from this year's English springer spaniels.
How can I stop my spaniel gun dog from dominating?
At the beginning my gun dog was quiet and 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 dog, extremely quick at hunting and very keen to chase, will not return with retrieves…
Our pre-trained gun dogs don’t understand our commands?
My son and I have purchased two trained gun dogs, ready to shoot over. However, since we have brought the dogs home we have both been unsure of which commands were used to train them - and this is confusing both dogs. What do you advise?
How do I stop my gun dog being aggressive?
I have a young labrador gun dog I have had since a pup. He is now 10 months old and has become rather aggressive towards other dogs. Is this something I can deal with or is this how he will always be?