Gun Dog Forum

Thanks for the replies. I did not fire over him until he was ready. Before exposing to birds and real gun fire, I used tennis balls/dead birds and a training pistol. After a few months with the training pistol, I moved too a shotgun about 20 yards away while playing fetch with his favorite tennis ba...

Hey all, I've owned my ESS for about 5 months now,he is one year old. I just exposed him to his 1st planted birds through a local hunt club, and it did not go as well as I hoped. It only highlighted some of the bad habits I have allowed my pup to acquire as a result of not really knowing what I am d...

Hey all, I am a new Springer owner, as well as a novice hunter. I would like to train my springer to hunt, or at least get him exposed to some birds. Unfortunately, the only experience I have with training bird dogs is... well... none. I've read books and asked around on the internet, but that certa...

Hey all, A week or so ago I posted about my new 8 month old Springer that, well, was pretty darn timid when we brought him home from the breeder. I wanted to update all of you on the situation. I can gladly say that the dog has adjusted wonderfully. He is no longer timid and fearful - or at least co...

I opted against the dog park, and instead put him on the leash and sat in the back yard with him for a few hours. He is getting a lot better. He is running around the yard, exploring around the house, and starting to get even a little rambuctious around the house. HE is playing fetch with a stick, g...

Bobman, Thanks for the advice, but I feel I need to do something to draw out some behavior in this dog. I'm not a dog expert by any means, but I think the dog might just be a little depressed. When I picked him up from the breeders he was running around all over the place, as soon as we put the coll...

Thanks for the responses folks, I really appreciate it. Well, two days have gone by and I can say it is getting better. It will through the door, albeit very sheepishly. He is exploring around the house, playing fetch (provided the ball isn't thrown too far - seems to be scared of too exploration.) ...

Hey all, I purchased a field springer spaniel yesterday and brought it home from the breeder. It's nine months old, one of three remaining from the breeders last litter. I am a total novice to hunting (only four trips to South Dakota the last four years), but am really excited about gettimg more int...