Thread: Focus?!

I have joined the waikato gun dog club and sth auk club. Will chat to people when they have the next training day. I have been to a couple of days last year and its like I have a different dog! He still gets excited like a 2yr old spaniel but retrieves and comes back to whistles etc.

Originally Posted by el borracho

I have to disagree with you GQ, Ive trained my dogs using a collar whilst using the whistle also -my young one is a good example of sensible use of collar and training good compliance and a happy bitch .
In saying that if you are new to training you should always seek advice and help from someone a little more advanced in training .Most anti collar posts a purely emotional plenty of people in the dog community getting results from different methods Im sure

You don't need an e-collar to get the outcome Ayejay is seeking. Sure, some may choose that path to try and achieve it. But I believe it is totally misguided to advocate it's use when the outcome can be achieved without it's use.

It's a spaniel, it should be within 40 yards of the handler at all times it's working. There is no need to be able to reach out and touch it from a distance. You simply need to instill the command and be prepared to get your running shoes on!

Originally Posted by el borracho

Most anti collar posts a purely emotional

My hesitation in advising a dog handler with a young dog in the use of an e-collar is not emotional, El B...

his dog is 2 years old and has done the basics ....its emotional ... if his dog wont take command after going through the basics then a little more persuasion would help his situation .The problem with the anti collar crew any age is to young even if they have never owned one or used one -I have and used properly they can be very effective.

to what level has he done the basic's.......... he may have got a little control and compliance in the back yard but he hasn't transferred that to the outside world..... your advise is take him to an area with cover and game scent which will only bring out more problems later on, and then give him a belt with the collar.

it's a spaniel, easy to train, willing to please and full of himself, two parts of that make up will fix the third.

Originally Posted by el borracho

his dog is 2 years old and has done the basics ....its emotional ... if his dog wont take command after going through the basics then a little more persuasion would help his situation .The problem with the anti collar crew any age is to young even if they have never owned one or used one -I have and used properly they can be very effective.

Read Ayejay's description of the dogs behaviour in the back yard compared to the park environment again. In low distraction areas, the dog is fine, but in high distraction areas the wheels fall off. The park environment is more stimulating and fulfilling for the dog than interacting with its handler......that is what Ayejay is seeking advice on.

Its a matter of getting back to basics and becoming the most important thing in that dogs world, without exception.

How soon after you get to the park are you trying to work him?

Ayejay get your dog under complying without any dogs around, then slowly expose your dog in a hunting environment and get the same controls to be reliable in that situation.
Start off with areas where there is no game & no other dogs, once you've got the solid control there, go to areas where there is a bird or two (no other dogs again). When you are all happy there, then bring in a second dog as a distraction (find someone who has a well mannered dog to start off).
If you have some one with a pigeon launcher, you might want to use them to create some time of stimulus while still having a control of your training environment (get someone experienced to help you out with it).

No point training at the dog park when there is 10 other dogs interfering with what you are doing, it only leads further frustration on your part and chastising the dog in return, when it can all be avoided. After all I'm assuming you want to train your dog to be compliant in a hunting situation, not in the park?

Another thing, as you start exposing your dog to different environments you will notice he will be more compliant when he is in a hunting mode and works closer with you. As opposed in the park he is just chilling around and wants to sniff some bitches...

Get him working with you alone - build some type of hunting rhythm and rapport between you to, leave the rest of the world behind for a moment.
They are pretty smart, they know the difference between a hunting scenario and a stroll through the park.
It becomes quite simple. Give him one thing to focus on which is you, and not you + 20 other dogs... Learn from my mistakes, I'm still suffering

After reading the posts and doing some more research I have come to the conclusion I have been too lax on the 'accepting nothing but compliance' mindset. So im starting back at the start with him.
At the park I normally run him on a lead for a while then start working on sit, recall using the line if he doesn't come back to haul him to me. I am not confident enough to let him go not so much that he wont come back but more that he will piss someone off or worse knock some kid over.
If I was to suggest the ideal outcome for him and me I want a dog I can take to the park / beach knowing I will get 100% recall regardless of what is around and then be able to take him to hunt birds knowing he has the basics for hunting sorted.

best of luck with that training Ayejay!! 100% compliance is a big call , just be happy with consistent improvement --ive heard the best of them yell at their dogs for compliance so dont beat yourself up !!!and have fun

Originally Posted by Petros_mk

.. Learn from my mistakes, I'm still suffering

Weve all made those screw ups Pete that we end up paying for as time goes on .....your not alone lol