Older dog retraining

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blackpearl

New member
Have a english setter 31/2 years old have shot a couple hundred pheasants over him ,he would be running into flush and shot at this stage ,i have started him in the trialing circle this last month or so his ranging is perfect but am having trouble getting him to stay to flush ,just wondering can this dog at his age and all the birds that have been shot over him be retrained to stay to flush .There is a old saying you cant teach a old dog new tricks is their anyone out their that has any info on this.
 
I just had a SH title put on a 8 year old dog that had no expectation for steadiness for last several years while someone else owned him. Could probably finish MH this spring if I had time. Dogs can be trained at any age, but it is easier when they don't have bad habits to start with.
 
I am in ireland, if i get him droping to flush i have a good chance with him, doing some work with pidgeons he will stay when the bird flushes from the trap but most of the time on wild birds he is running a few steps ,taking a step or 2 will put him out in a trial over with us ,was think of trying the e collar but was afraid of putting him off.
 
If you have someone who can train with you, you might try putting the dog on a long line and letting it drag as you work towards the planted bird. Once the pup locks up, step on the line and work slowly to the dog, quietly saying "whoa" over and over again, firmly, but softly. When the bird is released, hold the dog in place, or gently press it to "setting," then praise it after the release and shot, or just the release. ( I mean HIGH praise, much petting, even [in the beginning] a treat to reinforce how magnificent and rare is the dog's talent and skill.)

Old dogs learn just fine; just be clear what you desire and consistent in how you train. They WANT to please you. Take time to let them understand that you want the new behavior.

Best wishes.:thumbsup:
 
good, last evening 1 pheasant and 2 snipe set he dropped to all flushes even one snipe that did not hold to set he stoped as well was over the moon made a big fuss of him the next couple of times out will tell the tale,getting their thanks.
 
all good advice. I had one last year that liked to dive in. I found that walking circles around the dog on point then walking in at different angles to flush the bird, worked well. Cant do that with wild birds of course but planted ones will sit. I would walk 2 circles around it. Then go in. If the dog moved at all when I went to go in I would stop, back up, and walk another circle around it. Then go in to flush again. Eventually I think the dog got tired of me walking circles and just stayed put.
 
The problem in ireland is at a trial you must send your dog in to flush the bird ,if you flush the bird yourself you are put out of the trial .
 
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