pup too young???

hathcock

Went out this evening with Drake my springer pup,he's just 9 months old,(vids of pup in action already on this forum)shot two woodcock over him,he hunted like a demon and retrieved both birds.Some might say he's too young to be out hunting,what do you think?

allan450

no not at all just dont sicking him with cover if nothing in it.you will crown him for next year.keep it short and sweet as he is still growing.keep a few days between hunts for recovery and should be sound.others will say different you will know best how advanced along he is.but seeing the videos he is enjoying him self.

kermitpwee

If it's working for you then age is not a thing to worry about. Any of the good dogs my uncles or I have had have been started young. At 9 months you won't have had enough time to have trained Drake to an advanced spaniel stage but you will have the benefit of nurturing his hunting ability. They also say a spaniels training never stops! At least till they get to about 4 anyway. If you want to stop your spaniel on a running cock pheasant that he has seen 10 yards away then hunting them before they get to 18months is generally not recommended as their hasn't been enough time to condition the dog mentally for the pressure situation.

I prefer a dog started younger, they have more experience and are bolder and wilder and that's how I like my dogs. I personally hate a soft natured spaniel as due to my own lack of patience I don't have the time to Molly coddle them!

In general it's a hard call, they are pros and cons for young or late. Young dogs I have earlier spoken of the benefits that accrue to them. Older dogs can be better to train and cause less stress unless you have a mutt that has no drive and you only find out after 2 years of training!! Each to their own. Enjoy the season lads.

useurowname

I think you can over face a dog, he's still very young and I would have waited until next season. I suppose once you have him fairly well nailed down now it's okay just don't be hard on him if he's giddy, he's still a pup.

kermitpwee

useurowname wrote: »

I think you can over face a dog, he's still very young and I would have waited until next season. I suppose once you have him fairly well nailed down now it's okay just don't be hard on him if he's giddy, he's still a pup.

Great advice, you have started him young, you can't train them while out hunting so be careful. If they make mistakes at this young age don't correct them in the field as they can go off it as their brain is so young they are not able for the confusion of been scolded while hunting.

noeleire

hathcock wrote: »

Went out this evening with Drake my springer pup,he's just 9 months old,(vids of pup in action already on this forum)shot two woodcock over him,he hunted like a demon and retrieved both birds.Some might say he's too young to be out hunting,what do you think?

Have you had the pup out hunting by itself or is it hunting with other dogs i am just asking as i have a 7 month springer and finding it hard to get her in to cover ..

hathcock

noeleire wrote: »

Have you had the pup out hunting by itself or is it hunting with other dogs i am just asking as i have a 7 month springer and finding it hard to get her in to cover ..

My pup will enter cover either on his own or with other dogs,this happened naturally without any prompting or encouragement from me.Some dogs are naturals,some dogs can be encouraged to go to cover,and some will never do it.CHECK THESE VIDS.......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7NNitQ8Mpo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7NNitQ8Mpo

useurowname

noeleire wrote: »

Have you had the pup out hunting by itself or is it hunting with other dogs i am just asking as i have a 7 month springer and finding it hard to get her in to cover ..

She's only seven months, give her time and encouragement, play with her(constructively) build her confidence. Anyway a lot of guys will tell you they only start training at six months..patience is the most important attribute to a dog trainer.

Beretta man

I have a bitch pup which I intend to trial and I won't be even starting to train her till she is at least 7months old never mind trying to hunt cover..
All the books and videos from the top trainers say the same thing..
As said above patience is the key

Tommyaya4

if its in the dog to do it then let him do ive seen all ur vids and that dog just loves to hunt as u said it come very naturl to him

ESB Spaniel

my first season with oddie she was only 6 months old and shot a fair bit of game with her. Flying now, will be doing the same with the young bitch i have now....only the season will be closed so rabbits rabbits rabbits....:D:D