Shy/Timid 6 month old springer

barry75

Hi All

I recently bought a black and white springer about 6 weeks ago.the pup is 6 months old now and is very shy and timid around me and other people.I have another 6 year old springer and she get on with him great playing and jumping around. It has taken a few weeks for her to eat a treat out of my hand but now she will come when called and take the treat but will shy away a few yards from me to eat it.But will only do this when the male springer is around.I have tried giving treats to her with the other springer in the kennel but she seems to freeze and go into a corner and wont come at all.Anyone have any advise on how I can build up her confidence.Or will the pup be always like this?

sniper83

sounds like she wasnt handled much when she was younger or did she get a bad start early on by the previous owner/breeder?? if so she may be afraid of you.. couple of things that would help would have her out of the pin during the day as much as possible.
If you are doing something outside odd jobs or whatever have the dog out with you..
Also what is very find helpful is try and get her out in the garden in the company of kids and encourage them to play, pick her up handle her etc etc as much as she will allow them.. She will warm to kids quicker than to you as they are smaller and arent see as a threat to her! It will take time but you will see an improvement in her confidence.

dicky82

a mate of mine had a dog like this a year ago. he used to spend as much time as possible just being with the pup. sitting with her, rubbing her ears and letting her know he was her buddy and not to be feared. i wouldn't rely on the treats as dogs are clever and if they don't smell the treat they will know you don't have it. just plenty of praise is as good as any treat. my own springer bitch was quite timid and today is only interested in me and avoids others. my springer dog on the other hand is a slut and will go to anyone who calls him. i would stick with it because i would bet you end up with a very loyal companion.

barry75

Thanks for the replys lads.at the moment she is in the house with us without the other dog,she is in the corner of the room and wont come out from behind the armchair.I plan on keeping her apart from the other springer as she has bonded with him and not me.Going to stick with it,guess it going to a lot of time but hopefully she will turn out to be a good gundog.

garyc007

i recently enough had a similar problem with an english pointer. the key is to spend plenty of time with the dog.walk it every day, even if it doesnt want to go she will get to like going eventually. try and play with her and work her with the other dog, but also on its own. the long rope works a treat for pointers but id say could be used for the springer too when begining training.when you gain her trust you will then get somewhere. i was looking forward to working the pointer this season but unfortunately due to a bit of a freak accident she died but i have 2 to train now for next season!

One shot on kill

Separating her from the other dog. I'm unsure if its a good thing because it could affect the other dog and he could be rougher with her what is she like with your woman is she the same with every one.

Remember treat her like a dog that's when she will be happier. Plenty of rubs plenty of praise and try not be to full on with her. Try not be at her to come to you all the time.

Say when you come into garden from work if she comes over to sniff let her off ignore her. Don't say or do anything leave her be let her do her own tbing. r. Let her come to you on her terms. If you keep pushing her she is nervous and could get wourse.

Try doing stuff to make her interested in you but let her invite herself into the situation.

kermitpwee

Dogs like this are a disaster. What most hunting guys do is get rid of them. I have a timid springer, I bought him when he was 8 months old. I felt sorry for him as he was locked in a pen all his life with no outside interaction with people or nature. The dog is now 21 months old, this will be his first season. Through sheer hard work I have turned him around, he only trusts me and my dad, will shy away from everyone else. He was afraid of everthing apart from strimmers and chainsaws for some reason!!
My tips are based on what I did,
Bring him everywhere, to the shops, in the front of the car when your going for a spin. Spend as much time as you can with him. If your painting the house bring him out, cutting your toe nails, have him with you.

This all should be done without the presence of the other dog. Imo the bitch is shying away from you when the other dog is round as she doesn't want to get into your zone as the other dog(even though they are great buddies) is indicating to her that he is the only one that gets to go into your personal zone. This happens with all dogs, there is a pecking order in all packs.

The reason I persevered with my lad is that he has an incredible nose and I am a softie. Everybody told me to get rid of him, he is now hunting well but from the age of 8 months to 18 months was useless and I mean walking at heel. The other issue with this dog is that you will not be able to take on any training bar recall and retrieving until the dog has learned that there is nothing to fear. Just my 2cents based on my experience.
Good luck, if you have the time its worth it otherwise it will frustrate you and drive you nuts.

Browning2010

I had this problem with my springer, and the way I changed him was to do no training with him, just bring her out in the field and play with her, try and lie down and mess about with her standing up will make you look a lot more intimidating to her.

My lad is now full of confidence and is a great dog for hunting.

dicky82

kermitpwee wrote: »

Dogs like this are a disaster. What most hunting guys do is get rid of them. I have a timid springer, I bought him when he was 8 months old. I felt sorry for him as he was locked in a pen all his life with no outside interaction with people or nature. The dog is now 21 months old, this will be his first season. Through sheer hard work I have turned him around, he only trusts me and my dad, will shy away from everyone else. He was afraid of everthing apart from strimmers and chainsaws for some reason!!
My tips are based on what I did,
Bring him everywhere, to the shops, in the front of the car when your going for a spin. Spend as much time as you can with him. If your painting the house bring him out, cutting your toe nails, have him with you.

This all should be done without the presence of the other dog. Imo the bitch is shying away from you when the other dog is round as she doesn't want to get into your zone as the other dog(even though they are great buddies) is indicating to her that he is the only one that gets to go into your personal zone. This happens with all dogs, there is a pecking order in all packs.

The reason I persevered with my lad is that he has an incredible nose and I am a softie. Everybody told me to get rid of him, he is now hunting well but from the age of 8 months to 18 months was useless and I mean walking at heel. The other issue with this dog is that you will not be able to take on any training bar recall and retrieving until the dog has learned that there is nothing to fear. Just my 2cents based on my experience.
Good luck, if you have the time its worth it otherwise it will frustrate you and drive you nuts.

you say in your post that the only people the dog will trust is you and your dad. this to me is the perfect dog. you have a dog that won't **** off with any stranger who pulls up and whistles them over. i know for certain if my dogs got out that my springer dog would never be seen again because he will go with anyone. my bitch and dare i say it my setter too will only come to me. . . the rest of my dogs i think will be wary of strangers but couldn't be certain.

terminator2

get that springer out hunting rabbits , it will knock the shyness outta her

barry75

I took the pup out to a bog /rough ground yesterday after work.I drove there and had her in the boot of the car which she didnt like at all.She jumped out when opening the boot and followed me around the bog for 20 minutes.but keeping her distance all the time,never comimg too close to me.Then it was time to get her back into car,this didnt happen as she would not come close to me to put her in.So we had to walk home(5 mins) and I had to collect the car later.The reason I drove was if she was put on a lead she would just stick to the ground and go nowhere.The other springer was left at home.

barry75

Springer Molly.jpg

Springer Molly a.jpg

kermitpwee

Tbh Barry she sounds shocking bad, if she is following behind, it is going to take a lot to have her hunt in front. If there is any hope for her you will have to bring her in the front of the car down in the footwell, no matter how good of car you have. You have scared her by bringing her in the boot, so now she associates you and the car with bad things. This is not going to be easy, you are going to have to think about every move you make. By the way she is a beautiful thing, gorgeous. Im just not sure whether you have the time. Spend time with her and expect nothing for the next 6 months. You wont have her out this season. Good luck.

dicky82

barry75 wrote: »

Springer Molly.jpg

Springer Molly a.jpg

smashing looking pup you have. . . i would say that instead of putting her in the boot pop her on the lead and walk her to the bog when you get there kneel beside her petting her and reassuring her. then let her off the lead. slowly stand up and walk forward. as she follows kneel again repeat the process. she'll get the hang of it. i'd leave the car at home until you have her trust.

terminator2

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