chrokeva--As one who is owned by a FBECS I've enjoyed following your pup's journey. I recall many years ago someone saying that you don't train cockers, you negotiate with them. It's not literally true of course but I found with my cocker, my first dog to train, he helped to train me. In the field it didn't take much effort, though without access to birds and fields, I couldn't train steady on live birds so I settled on a good recall whistle command. I have to laugh over the heel issue. After 8 years, I still get a 'sort of' heel. FWIW, it's not a dominance issue....it's just a cocker 'issue'. I've since trained a boykin and he is very responsive to obedience commands and heels beautifully, but in contrast he is far more challenging in the field than a cocker. I happen to agree with your observation that hunting close should be encouraged early but perhaps each dog is uniquely different. Most importantly, looks like you're having fun.
spaniels and heeling...wow!
- Thread starter chrokeva
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westksbowhunter
Well-known member
I just don't punish them for getting outside the zone at 7 months. My pup is 7 months right now as well and if she gets out to 50 or 60 yards I wouldn't nick with the collar that young. Now my dog wouldn't really quarter that far away but in case of a flyaway I just let them chase a little at this point. At 7 months they are what they are, a puppy.
I also kinda of lost track of the age of this thread. So your pup would not be 7 months anymore. So I can see why you would correct her now.
I also kinda of lost track of the age of this thread. So your pup would not be 7 months anymore. So I can see why you would correct her now.
west....I totally agree! My pup is now 14 months old and I still would not nick her for getting out of range. The only thing I do when she punches the field is call her back in with the whistle and re-cast (I believe the correct term is attrition training). As a matter a fact I really never use any type of collar corrections when out in the field...she is keen to work but really a very compliant little dog so collar corrections are really not necessary in my opinion.
cth....I know exactly what you are saying about negotiating. She is such a fun little dog but if at any point she thinks that what she is doing is not fun you may as well go home. After going to a few cocker trials I realized that maybe the heel was not so important
. They are great little dogs and I am enjoying every minute with my little monkey.
cth....I know exactly what you are saying about negotiating. She is such a fun little dog but if at any point she thinks that what she is doing is not fun you may as well go home. After going to a few cocker trials I realized that maybe the heel was not so important
. They are great little dogs and I am enjoying every minute with my little monkey.
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Nimrod
Member
If you'll consistently carry a clip winged pigeon when you train, you can roll it in when she's punching out & teach a "draw" whistle to pull her in to the bird. She will learn to listen to you & accept that you have a reason for wanting her to hunt with you. Keeping her flush bold is an added bonus & if your gunners miss the birds you've planted, you can use it to reward her for being steady by throwing it for her to retrieve.
After she's been hunting confidently for a few more months, you can pm me & I'll tell you how I've taught cockers to heel.
As for ecollars, I am pretty competent with them having been involved in retriever tests for a number of years. I bought my first collar in the early 90's from Jim Dobbs at a seminar. I've used them on Labs, Goldens & Springers with good results but Cockers really don't seem to understand them in the same sense other breeds do. Their value for Cockers is limited in my opinion.
I've found Cockers respond better to a physical "scruffing" when necessary. They do understand this & they don't hold a grudge when they know they've got it coming. They just shrug it off as if to say, " well if it's THAT important to you, fine". Then she'll sneak a quick lick to your face & try real hard to do it your way. For awhile. Cause that's just what Cockers do.
After she's been hunting confidently for a few more months, you can pm me & I'll tell you how I've taught cockers to heel.
As for ecollars, I am pretty competent with them having been involved in retriever tests for a number of years. I bought my first collar in the early 90's from Jim Dobbs at a seminar. I've used them on Labs, Goldens & Springers with good results but Cockers really don't seem to understand them in the same sense other breeds do. Their value for Cockers is limited in my opinion.
I've found Cockers respond better to a physical "scruffing" when necessary. They do understand this & they don't hold a grudge when they know they've got it coming. They just shrug it off as if to say, " well if it's THAT important to you, fine". Then she'll sneak a quick lick to your face & try real hard to do it your way. For awhile. Cause that's just what Cockers do.
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
The older collars could be a little harsh. And TT has lost their edge. I just bought the new Dogtra Arc and I really like it. It has levels from 1-127. So you can really dial it in to the dog. Much better than just having 5 levels. And it is so small. I love it and so do the dogs.
Thank you Nimrod for the helpful response. I had not thought of bringing her back to me by rolling clips in...what a great tip!
This is my first cocker and she was the first dog I collar conditioned so my experience with using a collar is limited but I agree that she seems to react better to either a stern verbal correction or a bit of scruff over the collar and I prefer using either of these methods over nicking her with the collar.
I do not know if this is typical of cockers (I imagine it is) but she really never holds a grudge and I am yet to see her pout after a correction. It seems every day she wakes up and says "this is going to be the best day of my life!". They really are amazing little dogs with a sense of humor that just does not stop.
This is my first cocker and she was the first dog I collar conditioned so my experience with using a collar is limited but I agree that she seems to react better to either a stern verbal correction or a bit of scruff over the collar and I prefer using either of these methods over nicking her with the collar.
I do not know if this is typical of cockers (I imagine it is) but she really never holds a grudge and I am yet to see her pout after a correction. It seems every day she wakes up and says "this is going to be the best day of my life!". They really are amazing little dogs with a sense of humor that just does not stop.
desullivan
New member
You might try Oahe Kennels website oahekennels.com in North Dakota. Tom Ness has a great video on basic obedience for hunting spaniels and there is a section that looks like it will work for the heel issue you are having. It is not complicated and the results are relatively fast and lasting. Cost is $19.95 for the video and about $5 shipping. Short and concise video that anyone can do.