My new cocker spaniel puppy is eventually going to replace my 10-year-old springer spaniel. I have spoken to several people and have received different views on training a cocker spaniels. I would appreciate some advice.
Gundog training
Teaching your gundog to work hedgerows
Q: I have a young spaniel, and when hunting along hedgerows he always pulls ahead and sometimes gets through to the other side — a couple of times he has run off. As I plan to do a lot of rough shooting with him, this is something that I really need…
Whistles and working dogs – some frequently asked questions
Full-time gundog trainer and A-panel spaniel judge
The trick to training an HPR breed
Some traditionalists dismiss HPRs as unnecessary for British shooting, but David Tomlison finds out why owners of these dogs so passionately disagree
Why ‘play-training’ is crucial for gundog puppies
Tony reveals how 'play time' is an essential part of a gun dog's training.
Six frequently asked questions about gundog puppies
Why won't my puppy concentrate during our gun dog training?
Blowing the whistle on harsh dog handling
Earlier this year, the resignation of the honorary secretary of the Utility Gundog Society (UGS) Kent and East Sussex, Bernadette Restorick, not only caused ructions in the society, but also generated headline stories in The Times, the Daily Telegraph and Our Dogs. What Mrs Restorick had done was raise the…
How do I stop my gundog from running-in?
I have a black labrador gun dog who is 22 months old. His training had gone well until he recently started running in to shot birds.
Bad habits in Labradors
I have a 14 month-old lab dog who will have to put him in kennels for two weeks while we are on holiday. I'm concerned he may pick up bad habits while in the boarding kennels?
How can I stop my gundog eating game?
Q: My gundog eats game instead of returning and leaving it. Twice last season my Labrador ate a brace of partridges laid to cool in the back of the pickup. The dog, a six-year-old, had never done this before. Would it help if I gave him a good feed after…
How to stop your dog chasing livestock on a farm
If you are going to work your dog on a shoot, there is one thing of which you can be certain: sooner or later you will encounter livestock. As a responsible gundog owner, the last thing you want is for your dog to show an unhealthy interest in farm animals.…
How to teach a gundog puppy to run straight
Gundog training: Tony explains how to train your dog to take a line straight to the fall.
How to cure firework fear in dogs
Find out how you can train your dog to stop being scared of fireworks and loud bangs
When should I introduce my puppy to gunfire?
A reader also wants to know reaction to aim for when training a dog to drop to shot
My Labrador won’t walk at heel properly – what’s wrong?
I’m training a seven-month-old gundog and I cannot make him walk to heel without constantly pulling on the lead. Can you suggest anything?
Why do some dogs chase sheep and others don’t?
You should teach your dog to avoid sheep from an early age. If that doesn't work, electric collars could be an option but they must be used with caution
How to train a spaniel puppy that lacks confidence
Gundog training: Tread carefully when training a spaniel puppy with a gentle temperament.
What you should know about slip leads
If I stop him he’ll sit still for a while and then suddenly dart off to retrieve the bird.