First time on chain gang

[MNUplander90]

Hey all I have a 16 month old Llewellin Setter that I have just put on the chain gang for the first time today. This is my first birddog so I have been taking things slower than most I'm guessing. But before a year old and up until now she has had many many off leash runs in various cover types. She was introduced to birds young and many pigeons since. She also has been introduced to the gun and is bird crazy for sure!! From when I first took her home at 8 weeks I have been using clicker training teaching her to recall, heel and whoa as well as some tricks all while keeping it positive. She is a pretty confident girl and there is not a thing out in the field that frightens her at this point, hard charging the entire time. However, I am now moving on and using the huntsmith method for further training, I need to teach her that she must obey all commands and clicker training wont be the answer I believe. She has also been on a training table since she was young, huntsmith puppy dev, and behaves very well on that. Today I put her on the chain for around 30 minutes. She initially fought with some pulling for literally less then a minute and then just stood there tail hanging. She soon laid down and relaxed with a few whines here and there. She really surprised me out there, I was expecting some serious gusto out of her. But for the full thirty minutes she calmed down pretty good. However, When I went to go retrieve her off the chain, I got her to stand but the main line itself seemed to frightened her a bit? she stayed standing while I was there but tail was between the legs and she was staying far from the mainline. I got her to be somewhat comfortable by backing up and re approaching and stroking her tail a bit. She seemed to be better but still apprehensive. Once I snapped a lead to her collar I took her off the chain and she was apprehensive to cross the main line just by walking but once she got over it she was excited and ready to play. I was just wondering if that behavior just means she needs more time on the chain and eventually will be comfortable or if there is something else I should be doing or something I should not be doing? Any responses are much appreciated.
Thanks all!!

 

[AtTheMurph]

IMHO many of the dog training methods are heavy handed and do more harm than good.

You have to have the right dog to handle the methods as much as the methods to train the dog.

If that were my dog that would be the last time I used that training method. She told you she doesn't like it and it scares her. That's not good for a dog that likes positive training. I'd back off that and let the dog learn by doing and making some mistakes.

You can correct while in the field and maybe with other dogs that have more experience. You may not end up with a field trial dog but my bet is you end up with a great hunting companion, and you will both be happier.

 

[KATroutman13]

Dogs usually flip out on a chain gang their first time because it is is odd. This is not a "harsh" method of training at all, hell it's no more harsh than staking out a dog, clipping it to a fence or putting a leash on the dang thing, it just takes them a little while to get used to it.

My dogs were both on chain gangs early. I didn't have one of them until after a year old, but I know he was on a chain gang as a puppy because that's how the breeder trained them. He'd put them on the chain for a short period before he worked them on birds -- i.e. the chain gang is fun because shortly hereafter, I get to go smell birds. Does she like food? I'd put her on the chain gang every day and then feed her. That will teach her that it is a good place to be, not a bad place to be. The dogs certainly feel restricted, but they get used to it rather quickly.

 

[2XCOCKERS]

I'm new so forgive me, what is the chain gang? I don't know what it is but it sounds like its unecessary for achieving the intended outcome...bird/family dog. My dogs get leash and check cord trained before getting ecollar conditioned...Also am a big fan of the higgins method...quiet and actually get results. My dogs, even the 6 month old, work in front of me always...even when I change directions. My 6 month old ECS is very happy and birdy but is very sensitive, in that he doesn't respond positively with yelling...but food is his driver...so I train using treats once in awhile...and lots of positive reinforcement. He really is going to be a great hunter, but completely different personality than my 3 year old.

All that to say: I'm still learning training techniques but wondering why the chain gang is important or where it fits within the skills obtained?

 

[KATroutman13]

Look at the picture I posted. This is two 4-dog chain gangs that I made. But the concept is simple -- it is a chain strung between two stakes (mine has three just because I don't always have that many dogs with me), with droppers (short 2-3 foot long clips) that clip to the dog's collar and to the chain.

 

[2XCOCKERS]

Okay, now I get the setup...but what is the purpose? Is it something you use while out hunting with the other dog(s)? Is it in place of having dog boxes? I guess I don't see why leaving them out would be better than kenneled if that's the case...It would seem they would rest better being in the kennel unless hot out. But here in ND I guess there's a limited timeframe where heat is an issue so my dogs may not have the same "needs" as others.