Silly question ... what to do?

ecaf

Hi Guys,
I had our pointer out at the weekend, (she wasn't brought out shooting this weekend). Had her in the fields around our house, and she kept pointing and trailing pheasants, they were all hen's unfortunately but I didn't know what to do because I don't shoot.
I have been on before because she was acting strange earlier on in the season, by going to tear up a bird that was shot.
So when she's doing her job well I would like to encourage her. I don't have her at the weekends that often, my OH takes her home to go shooting. But the odd time I have her, I'd like to know what to do encourage her.

Or maybe I shouldn't? Should I just ignore the fact that she's pointing? She was in and out of streams and across ditches. She seemed to be working very hard, but there wasn't much reward to it. I know I'm never going to shoot over her or anything but I was going up on the ditches and telling her good girl. I felt a bit silly cos I didn't know what else to do.

Also I have a 1 year old cocker pup, she's bought as a pet, but I'd like her to be brought along if she could be any good. She sometimes follows the pointer on a scent, and watches her crossing ditches, but most of the time she would prefer to play. Is she too young? (hardly) but I haven't a clue what to do with either of them. I like going along shooting when I'm down there, but I'm only a spectator, I'd love to see the cocker calm down a bit and be of some use instead of running around like a mad hatter. I know they are a bit mad anyway, but she just thinks you chase anything on wings (even blackbirds are fair game!).

deeksofdoom

You could actually train both dogs to work as a team. When the pointer sets on a bird you could train the cocker to flush and then retrieve the bird.

ecaf

Thanks, but How is the question?
I don't know what I'm doing? I suppose if I did shoot I'd know a bit more... but I don't so maybe it's just pointless. BTW I find the cocker very hard to control at times! She's just a loose cannon.

Limestone1

Why don't you head out shooting with the OH ? You'll learn how the dogs work and maybe even fire a few shots and soon want your own gun !

ecaf

I do go out the odd time with them, I don't be down in his home town every weekend though.
From what I can see it's just them saying 'getintoit' and the dogs taking their own instinct on a scent. But they are already trained.
As for shooting, don't think I will, because I close my eyes when I hold the gun, and get a very shaky and sweaty hand, which means I'll probably pull the trigger before I should . I couldn't even hit a tree from a couple of yards away, probably could if I had my eyes open! (God I'm crap!). I just get really nervous holding the gun in case I do something wrong, and I think about silly things like my ears ringing and getting a pain in my shoulder. I'd love to other than that.

So ehh.... When I'm out with the dogs (without people with guns), will I just keep doing what I'm doing? Acting like an eejit up on the ditches with them? And just let them hunt / follow scents?

spideog7

I'd say that cocker is still very young yet and they are by their nature a bit nuts, I shoot over a cocker (cross) and he keeps me fit just trying to keep up with him.
My younger dog (a springer) is two years old since June and she's only starting to behave this season, although I haven't had much time to do any training with her unfortunately. She's a bitch too and she's never had pups (fixed) so that might make the difference in terms of her overpowering enthusiasm

deeksofdoom

ecaf wrote: »

Thanks, but How is the question?
I don't know what I'm doing? I suppose if I did shoot I'd know a bit more... but I don't so maybe it's just pointless. BTW I find the cocker very hard to control at times! She's just a loose cannon.

Fair play to you for taking an interest in the dogs. If your serious about training that cocker I'ld get him round to a dog trainer for some obedience classes. The dog isn't going to really learn anything there its for you really. Hopefully you'll learn how to train the dog yourself. Go to someone who has had field trialling experience that know gundogs, be sure and have a good chat with them about what you want the dog to do.

There are also a number of DVD's available on training spaniels Joe Irving and Martin Deeley are too Spaniel trainers who have DVDs out, they're about €30 each you should be able to google them.

If its not shooting you want to do, what about beating on a driven Pheasant shoot. There you would get to work your dog and even let it get a few retrieves on shot game it would be a very enjoyable day out for the both of you, it would be perfect for your cocker.

mallards

I would start with a basic obedience book aimed at gundogs. Little acorns and all that.

Mallards

ecaf

Thanks guys, I think I start small with a gun dog obedience book / dvd - as you's have suggested. If I can't get the little nutcase to learn / listen I might consider going to a trainer (again).
I understand it's me who needs to be trained. I did go to general dog training with her earlier in the year. She knows sit but that's about it because I didn't have enough patience with her to keep it up.

I think the pointer is fine, and besides I don't have her much, so if I watch the dvd of the experts I might start getting the right idea.
Thanks again.

pullandbang

ecaf wrote: »

As for shooting, don't think I will, because I close my eyes when I hold the gun,

I heard of people shooting with one eye closed, but both:eek:
Don't be nervous, it's not that difficult and it doesn't hurt. If you hold the gun tightly to your shoulder and cheek you'll feel no recoil, so go on, have a bang!

As the ad says - Just Do It!

ecaf

pullandbang wrote: »

I heard of people shooting with one eye closed, but both:eek:
Don't be nervous, it's not that difficult and it doesn't hurt. If you hold the gun tightly to your shoulder and cheek you'll feel no recoil, so go on, have a bang!

As the ad says - Just Do It!

I just did it twice! That was about 2 / 3 years ago.
Went to do it when a few were clay pigeon shooting, but I chickened out. I hurt my shoulder with a horse over the summer and its still sore at times, so I think I had this at the back of my mind (in case of recoil).

I'll keep your words in mind over Christmas, I think I'm expecting to be great straight away and forget that the others have been doing this since they were 15.