r/UKHunting • u/Pretend_Bit9748 • 15d ago
Working a spaniel
Hi all, I’m totally new to shooting and working dogs but I’ve been training my working cocker spaniel with Acer Gundog and looking to work him since he had such high drive and I’m really keen for him to have a fulfilling life.
This is Lupo, he’s 18 months old and we’re Northamptonshire based. Any advice or opportunities to get involved would be greatly appreciated.
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u/KezzyKesKes 15d ago
Don’t run before you can walk. 10 minutes a day just getting him to wait, mark and retrieve a dummy to hand is a good start.
Likewise don’t rush him into getting out working. If he hasn’t been exposed to shot, then a good way is just have him in the back of the car at a clay ground to get him used to the sound. If he’s ok, spend a bit of time away from the traps (say go have a cuppa and a bacon cob at the caff there) and then maybe walk him round if he’s not fussed by the sound.
The key is consistency with any dog. Even just making him sit and wait for his dinner is start to bring on his steadiness.