Training an 11-month-old springer spaniel bitch

About our feeds

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

| Next

Is it too late to train an 11 month old spaniel?

If your dog has been over-socialised, it may be as bold as brass and chase everything in sight.

By Paul Rawlings

Friday, 30 May 2008

Can a 11-month-old springer spaniel bitch, that has received no training, be trained to full hunting level?

I am thinking of buying an 11-month-old springer spaniel bitch from an elderly gentleman whose health has deteriorated so that he is unable to train the youngster. It is untouched and has never even had a lead on it. However, the dog comes from good stock and I wonder if I would be able to train her to full hunting level?

PAUL RAWLINGS says:
I am absolutely positive that the bitch can be fully trained, even at this age.

How you should go about the task depends on its previous management. I once took on a 14-month-old springer that had lived all its early life in a remote kennel with only the occasional run out with older dogs.

She was not at all socialised with people or used to any other environment, but once she gained confidence I was able to start the basics, just as one would with a six-month-old puppy.

However, if your dog has been over-socialised, it may be as bold as brass and chase everything in sight.

Treat it as though it is a puppy, but do not allow any more freedom in the open until it is fully obedient and answers the recall whistle perfectly in a confined area, field or rabbit pen.

Ferret off its food?

One of my ferrets seems to be losing weight and I ...

First gundog training

I am planning on getting my first gundog for the c...

Guns

So you can't afford an English side-by-side shotgun?

Here we go on a mission to find an English shotgun, in excellent condi... Read more

Sporting Answers

How do I protect dogs' ears from grass seeds?

My two cockers are inclined to get grass seed down their ears at this ... Read more

News

Day approaches for register of airgun traders

The Government has released the commencement dates for the Violent Cri... Read more

Comments

Post your comment

What's in this issue?

In this week's issue, Shooting Times joins the Deer Initiative in Suffolk to investigate how the charity is fighting back against fallow damage, while David Hudson reports on all the action at the Pointer and Setter Champion Stake.