Who uses Springers

[rlwright]

Just got a springer this past august, she is now 6 mo. old. I started taking her in the field this month for field training and fun. I have been chasing quail off hwy. 138 with her.I haven't done any disiplining in the field because she is to young still, but my goal this off season will be to get her to stop chasing the birds. I've already taught her the commands to sit, fetch, find the bird, and hand signals. I've read that steading a flusher is the hardest thing to teach one. Has anyone been succesful, how did you do it?

 

[Dakota]

I haven't had a springer since I was about 15 y.o. but I absolutely loved mine.  He was an outstanding hunting partner that taught me more about bird hunting than I did him.  

What you want to be work on is simply the sit command.  Teach him to reliably sit on command no matter his distance from you.  Many transfer this to the whistle command (Pup sitting on a whistle tone or usually one long blast)  When this in reinforced and the dog is solid, you can put him on birds (with a check cord at first) and when the bird flushes use the whistle command for sit.  You will need the check cord at first to reinforce the command.  When the dog is solid and starts to sit on flush (Hup to flush) you can phase out the whistle and then eventually eliminate the check cord.  It take a lot of birds and you will need either a very healthy and dependable supply of birds in your area or pigeons that will return to thier roost after you plant and flush them.  To do that the only way is to have a coop and have young ones born there.  Captured adult pigeons don't return.  Some will if they have been kept long enough most don't.

If she is only 6 month let her have fun.  I wouldn't start any serious training until 10-12 months.  Some would say even longer for springers.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[buckraker]

sounds like you need to check out this magazine. Spaniels in the field http://www.spanielsinthefield.com/
I own two springers one is a typical backyard springer, which I purchased in Ca. and trained to hunt pheasants. I did everything wrong but she was so good she turned out well. she is now 13 years old and just now beginning to show her age. The other is a pure field bred dog from mostly english import stock. Her dad was NFC/NAFC/CNFC Pel tan Roly her mom was AFC english Abbey. I love both dogs and dont hunt them any more do to other hunting interests. I learned alot about training these dogs and highly recommend reading more about training before you embark on this pup.
 

 

[uplandhunter]

Hey rlwright,

I agree with Dakota that getting the dog to sit no matter the distance from you is one of the two most important commands you can teach her. The other command being 'whoa'. Also, just let the dog have fun right now. She is too young for any serious training other than normal obedience. Like buckraker, my springer is a 'show' bred, that just loves to run a field after birds. Got lucky I guess. And get a whistle if you don't have one already. It will save your vocal chords. Be patient. Young springers take an easy hand to train. But you won't find a more eager, energetic dog to hunt with than a well-trained springer. Have fun.

 

[rlwright]

The progress is coming along pretty good so far. As long as theres no birds or major distractions she will sit at a distance, as well as return to me via the whistle, about 90% of the time. She's 7 months now and very bold, chasing everything that flies from bumble bees to airplanes. I planted a pigeon in the front yard today. As soon as I let her out she ran full speed to the front yard and started looking for it, ignoring me the whole time. After a couple of laps through both neibors yard I got her back for a couple of seconds with the whistle. She finally ran by the bird, it flew, she chased, I whistled, and she eventually came back. Do you think it's time for a check cord yet?

 

[Dakota]

Glad she is doing well.  Always work your dog with a check cord. (or eventually a training collar)  You have already established that she can get away with quick tour on her own.  I would use the cord EVERY time until the behavior is rock solid.  It pays off in the long run.  Always use some way to have ultimate control of the situation.  I train puppies in the hall way. That way they can only return to you.  Outside training requires a check cord.  I start with a 12 foot cord and then work up from there.  Keep distraction to a minimum for a young dog.  

Keep us posted on the progress

 

[fishboat1]

I have been hunting with a 71/2 year old Springer ever since she was a pup. They are a high energy, expert hunter. They will go into the thickness brush around that Labs andGSP will avoid to find and flush birds. IMHO they have the best nose among the sporting breeds. My dog is independent at times, although that  just might be my dog and and not other dogs of this breed.
I could not get her to be steady upon flushing but I can control her so she only chases the bird about 10 yards during the flush. I neen a E collar some times during hunting. Excellent house dog. When she gets too old to hunt I will get another Springer.

 

[rlwright]

Good point with the independance issue I think it's in the breed, they seem to sometimes forget they can't catch the bird.  

 

[long shot]

Try GunDog's Online, an internet site. This site has a monthly column on training. It is well worth a look. Also try a look at ESSFTA.com, this internet site is devoted to the fieldbred English Springer Spaniel. Steadying to wing and shot is a step by step process. If you can find the book  HUP! TRAINING SPANIELS THE AMERICAN WAY by JAMES B. SPENCER he will give you the steps. Not an easy book to find. Good Luck