dog running in

mightymouse311

i have a 2 n half year old ess hes a great little dog hunts great retrive great but when im hunting towards a bird the second he gets on the scent he's gone like a rocket ive chased him and dragged him back till im blue in the face was thinking bout taking a shock collar to him just wondering wat you guys thing is the best way forward

macadam

Definitely, try the collar but at a very low shock to start,my dog started the same today first a hare then a running bird, so the collar will be back on next sat.

After a few shocks she should be back to stopping on the whistle or come back, would drive you crazy.

Maca

greenpeter

I would use the whistle before you shock him and he will know in future when he hear's the whistle to stop or else a shock. You have to be cruel to be kind other wise they will run a muck. Best of luck

sniper83

dont agree with using a shock collar on any dog, english springers are naturally a bit wild and are bred to flush birds, if your dog is that age you have let him develop into the dog he is..

You won't know the effect of giving an electric shock to your dog until it's too late because you simply cannot predict that reaction. Guess wrong and you have created more problems or possibly caused irreversible trauma in your dog..

there is no easy solution to the problem!!
I am no expert but all i can give is my advice from my experience and what i have learnt..

I suggest you work on his drop (Sit). He must go down immediately when you give the signal which will be by voice, whistle, or hand signal, in response to a shot is not necessary.
This command must be absolutely firmly established. That means an instant drop on command at a distance of up to 100 yards.

Then, only when the dog is ready!! take your dog to where he will see game or if you had a large rabbit pen even better. He should be on the check cord and when he picks up too much speed or gives chase give him the (sissst) command instead of sit, if he fails to slow give him a check, if he stops reasure him and continue... the aim of the task is to STEADY the dog to game, with persistance he will become a lot steadier on birds and will continue when you are ready by giving the 'get on' command and provide a more enjoyable days hunting..

wheather you are able to achieve this with your dog is up to you, he may have too many bad habits at his age or the time you have available for training him might be an issue..

A trainer once told me, some dogs will bring the handler hunting but a trained dog will be brought by the handler!!;)

hope this helps mightymouse

mightymouse311

great advice sniper had him runnin like a dream up to saturday drop to shot whistle even on game just so many birds blew his mind he ran the first time corrected him and it all went down hill from there but i never taught of the check lead ill have him out tommrow n give that a go was only thinking of the collar as a last resort so im glad i asked ill keep you all posted

mightymouse311

just a quick up date had him out beating 2day not a perfect performance but 100 times better than last week thanks all:):)