As many have said wish I had found you sooner. Exactly what has happened with my 20month old cocker. Worked hard. Thought we were ready. 4 great drives beating on a shoot. Flushes 3 birds in 60 seconds on the last drive. Sat to the first then lost the plot & chased!! First drive the following week she flushes 2 straight out & chased!! Back in the car & back to basics. Can’t wait for out 1-2-1 lesson & online training. You break it down so I can understand. Thank you. 😊
Thanks for another great video Chris! Always like it when you start preaching! We really appreciated having your involvement through remote training with our Sprocker in the early months. It was refreshing for our local gundog trainer to meet a dog that he wasn’t having to undo bad habits with!
Really glad to have found your page in anticipation of getting my next puppy. My current Springer (who's 7 now) jumped a stone wall and barbed wire fence at 4 1/2 months old to chase 2 rams around a field bold as brass! It was quite a shock to see what I was dealing with at such a young age. It's taken years to undo the damage of that day 🤦
living with a cocker and a lhasa , i learnt quick the energy of a spaniel and their drive to work , so we used to play find it around the house to keep his nose and mind working , and on walks he had a rucksack and he would carry my stuff ( light things ) and his and sometimes i would just put in a bottle of water each side if it was a smallish walk , and he loved it , you can see them change in an instant when given a job to do :) ,but i found you have to control it or they end up in tunnel vision (edit - when i say tunnel vision , i mean he would some times not listen and keep on plodding on because he tunnel visioned )
Hi Chris- great video and explanation and I can put myself into most of my early days of making the mistakes that you have highlighted - as I’ve said in earlier communication with you I’ve just bought a working cocker spaniel and are following you religiously- Regards Dave 🤠👍
Mine is now 16 months and is still very intense. I’m upping the retrieve work, which I put to the test in my friends unfenced garden and to my delight kept him focused! He’s best off lead in woods but on the open beach he get overexcited by the sea birds, comes back on the whistle but I’ll start to use the ball retrieve to hold his focus in future on the beaches. On lead he’s fine unless he spots a bird or a person in the distance, then he pulls and goes deaf!! I think I’ll try just standing still instead of trying to walk until he calms down. I had a springer before who was seriously much easier to train.
Hi Just found you online and I have a 4month old wcs. Listens in the house and now just started taking him out and off lead, he was great to start but now realise better out there than me. Just looking for your videos to get on top of this before I lose him.
This was very helpful and informative, my 8 month old cocker spaniel has recently been testing her limits and following scents making it harder for her to listen to her recall whistle, helped me understand thanks
In the US, many of us use Labradors in a similar flushing/retrieving role that I see spaniels used for in the UK. While we do have a Springer following and Cockers are becoming more popular… but labradors are easily the most popular gundog. Can you offer some advice to a Labrador owner considering a cocker as his next dog? I primarily hunt pheasant but doing more grouse. A little waterfowl sprinkled in.
Yes there is a big difference in how they act interact. You have to be able to work at three times the speed with a spaniel. I would make sure you look for some help from the start modelling through it on your own might be a bit of a shock, so always look for professional help if it's your first one ☺️
Lost my top lad springer this time last year after 14 fantastic years just retired my bitch 13 got a cocker whose 11 great gun dog little 🤪, beginning of may our new pups coming so I’m out of touch, found your channel subscribed so I can learn learn and learn again been watching the videos and will continue to do so thank you for all the advice it’s great looking forward to the years to come
Heya Chris, recently found your videos. We have a 14 month working cocker, first time owners. We missed the boat on keeping him blinkered as a pup. Observations on ours as you were asking: 1. Strong prey drive, can stop him chasing but not 100% (wouldn't trust him off lead). 2. Resource guarding, suspect this stems from above. He will drop most things, but if he gets something super high value (i.e. food) that's not being released to hand 3. Plops himself on the floor or stays in his crate if he smells a walk with a lead. Can't quite figure this one out, if he is out already he will happily sit, let you put the lead on and walk with us. 4. He really struggles in environments with lots of scent around (tried some agility classes with pheasants in long grass and geese and he often went after those instead) Curious how unfixable some things can be? e.g. improvements vs completely fixed in ways
My main issue with my boy is excitement peeing and rushing guests to my house, I'm working getting him into his cage or bed when the door goes, any tips? Great channel 👏
Hi - Could you tell me your views on Sprockers? I'm days away from getting my new pup and will be going down the gun dog training route. I was just wondering if you have worked with them and if you notice any habits? Thanks
I've got a 7 month old sprocker and ever since he caught a bird in the garden he has been obsessed with them, hasn't been off the lead for over a month now as i know if he sees a bird and he's off the lead he will be off and no amount of whistling will get his attention, are you saying i've spoilt and dog and will be very difficult to get him under control now ?
I have a 6 month old WCS. I’ve taught him to stop and watch birds (off lead) instead of chasing them. Basically telling him he’s a good boy if he ignores birds. My friends springer chases like mad and doesn’t stop. BUT I’m now interested in maybe training him to do some sort of gun dog work. I have no idea what avenue we would eventually go down just because I have no clue haha! But he is living his best life in long grass and STARING at me, dead still as if he’s asking me what do I want him to do. Although he’s a pet, I think all dogs should be exercised in the way they were born to be exercised for their benefit and mental wellness. Is there such a thing that, you can teach and exercise your dog, gun dog ways without the shooting? Would love to book in with you.
if. you tell him to go get them with an arm motion attached, he'll probably go for them (mine does this, I didnt teach it I just said go get it one day and he went for it from his laying position while watching the birds)
I have 4 spaniels that I work and recently just got a new working cocker for my pack and today when just on a short hunting training session she put a hen pheasant up and unfortunately chased it for a little bit so had to get after her hoping it’s not spoilt things with her as not really had this with my others.
Yes you did the right thing do not hesitate get out and correct you have a few opportunities to make an impact into this early on without accelerate in the dogs drive to chase
Can anyone help me . A friend of mine had breathing problems. So he gave me his 11 month old sprinter spaniel well I hope it it . I'll tell u why. I have never seen a full coloured ginger with a little bit of white. Please help he does look exactly like a springer . Thanks
I have a 6 month old cocker and she has killed birds in our garden. She is constantly finding socks and other things she should have (choking hazards) and when we try to get it off her she runs away because she thinks it is a game. Do you have any tips for her to drop things in her mouth and stop running away?
As many have said wish I had found you sooner. Exactly what has happened with my 20month old cocker. Worked hard. Thought we were ready. 4 great drives beating on a shoot. Flushes 3 birds in 60 seconds on the last drive. Sat to the first then lost the plot & chased!! First drive the following week she flushes 2 straight out & chased!! Back in the car & back to basics. Can’t wait for out 1-2-1 lesson & online training. You break it down so I can understand. Thank you. 😊
Thanks for another great video Chris! Always like it when you start preaching!
We really appreciated having your involvement through remote training with our Sprocker in the early months. It was refreshing for our local gundog trainer to meet a dog that he wasn’t having to undo bad habits with!
I've had 2 springers and now a sprocker. this one is the most head strong indeed, thanks for the advice. I've been enjoying your knowledge. cheers.
Really glad to have found your page in anticipation of getting my next puppy. My current Springer (who's 7 now) jumped a stone wall and barbed wire fence at 4 1/2 months old to chase 2 rams around a field bold as brass! It was quite a shock to see what I was dealing with at such a young age. It's taken years to undo the damage of that day 🤦
Sadly, these dogs can take things very personally at times. Hope all is well.
living with a cocker and a lhasa , i learnt quick the energy of a spaniel and their drive to work , so we used to play find it around the house to keep his nose and mind working , and on walks he had a rucksack and he would carry my stuff ( light things ) and his and sometimes i would just put in a bottle of water each side if it was a smallish walk , and he loved it , you can see them change in an instant when given a job to do :) ,but i found you have to control it or they end up in tunnel vision (edit - when i say tunnel vision , i mean he would some times not listen and keep on plodding on because he tunnel visioned )
Lots of good info on this video!
I have trained 3 cockers and now starting my first springer. They are very different.
Hi Chris- great video and explanation and I can put myself into most of my early days of making the mistakes that you have highlighted - as I’ve said in earlier communication with you I’ve just bought a working cocker spaniel and are following you religiously- Regards Dave 🤠👍
That's good to hear let's hope my videos help you ☺️
Mine is now 16 months and is still very intense. I’m upping the retrieve work, which I put to the test in my friends unfenced garden and to my delight kept him focused! He’s best off lead in woods but on the open beach he get overexcited by the sea birds, comes back on the whistle but I’ll start to use the ball retrieve to hold his focus in future on the beaches. On lead he’s fine unless he spots a bird or a person in the distance, then he pulls and goes deaf!! I think I’ll try just standing still instead of trying to walk until he calms down. I had a springer before who was seriously much easier to train.
Our 11month old working cocker spaniel started doing exactly this at around 7-8months!
Hi
Just found you online and I have a 4month old wcs. Listens in the house and now just started taking him out and off lead, he was great to start but now realise better out there than me. Just looking for your videos to get on top of this before I lose him.
Hi there Margaret if you’re looking for some help go through to my Facebook page and private message me regards Chris
Always look forward to your vids sounds like you was talking about my cocker yes he will chase if given the chance and try to eat
Thanks Chris another interesting video you can learn so much about your dog's and their ability thankyou great work
Great video Chris. Sums it up perfectly.
This was very helpful and informative, my 8 month old cocker spaniel has recently been testing her limits and following scents making it harder for her to listen to her recall whistle, helped me understand thanks
In the US, many of us use Labradors in a similar flushing/retrieving role that I see spaniels used for in the UK. While we do have a Springer following and Cockers are becoming more popular… but labradors are easily the most popular gundog.
Can you offer some advice to a Labrador owner considering a cocker as his next dog?
I primarily hunt pheasant but doing more grouse. A little waterfowl sprinkled in.
Yes there is a big difference in how they act interact. You have to be able to work at three times the speed with a spaniel. I would make sure you look for some help from the start modelling through it on your own might be a bit of a shock, so always look for professional help if it's your first one ☺️
fantastic .....hit so many chords
Lost my top lad springer this time last year after 14 fantastic years just retired my bitch 13 got a cocker whose 11 great gun dog little 🤪, beginning of may our new pups coming so I’m out of touch, found your channel subscribed so I can learn learn and learn again been watching the videos and will continue to do so thank you for all the advice it’s great looking forward to the years to come
Heya Chris, recently found your videos. We have a 14 month working cocker, first time owners. We missed the boat on keeping him blinkered as a pup. Observations on ours as you were asking:
1. Strong prey drive, can stop him chasing but not 100% (wouldn't trust him off lead).
2. Resource guarding, suspect this stems from above. He will drop most things, but if he gets something super high value (i.e. food) that's not being released to hand
3. Plops himself on the floor or stays in his crate if he smells a walk with a lead. Can't quite figure this one out, if he is out already he will happily sit, let you put the lead on and walk with us.
4. He really struggles in environments with lots of scent around (tried some agility classes with pheasants in long grass and geese and he often went after those instead)
Curious how unfixable some things can be? e.g. improvements vs completely fixed in ways
Great vid
My main issue with my boy is excitement peeing and rushing guests to my house, I'm working getting him into his cage or bed when the door goes, any tips?
Great channel 👏
Hi there , Brett is not as simple as just doing one thing it normally comes down to the routine that I work with with my clients in the early months
Hi - Could you tell me your views on Sprockers? I'm days away from getting my new pup and will be going down the gun dog training route. I was just wondering if you have worked with them and if you notice any habits? Thanks
Is your dog never ever (exept when he is working) further away than 16feet off leash when you let him out?
Not unless on a retrieve
I've got a 7 month old sprocker and ever since he caught a bird in the garden he has been obsessed with them, hasn't been off the lead for over a month now as i know if he sees a bird and he's off the lead he will be off and no amount of whistling will get his attention, are you saying i've spoilt and dog and will be very difficult to get him under control now ?
Yes prob sadly 🐶☹️
I have a 6 month old WCS. I’ve taught him to stop and watch birds (off lead) instead of chasing them. Basically telling him he’s a good boy if he ignores birds. My friends springer chases like mad and doesn’t stop. BUT I’m now interested in maybe training him to do some sort of gun dog work. I have no idea what avenue we would eventually go down just because I have no clue haha! But he is living his best life in long grass and STARING at me, dead still as if he’s asking me what do I want him to do. Although he’s a pet, I think all dogs should be exercised in the way they were born to be exercised for their benefit and mental wellness. Is there such a thing that, you can teach and exercise your dog, gun dog ways without the shooting? Would love to book in with you.
(Sorry was meant to say he ignores birds off lead and chooses to follow me instead)
if. you tell him to go get them with an arm motion attached, he'll probably go for them (mine does this, I didnt teach it I just said go get it one day and he went for it from his laying position while watching the birds)
I have 4 spaniels that I work and recently just got a new working cocker for my pack and today when just on a short hunting training session she put a hen pheasant up and unfortunately chased it for a little bit so had to get after her hoping it’s not spoilt things with her as not really had this with my others.
Yes you did the right thing do not hesitate get out and correct you have a few opportunities to make an impact into this early on without accelerate in the dogs drive to chase
Can anyone help me . A friend of mine had breathing problems. So he gave me his 11 month old sprinter spaniel well I hope it it . I'll tell u why. I have never seen a full coloured ginger with a little bit of white. Please help he does look exactly like a springer . Thanks
I think it is ether a cocker or sprocker
I have a 6 month old cocker and she has killed birds in our garden. She is constantly finding socks and other things she should have (choking hazards) and when we try to get it off her she runs away because she thinks it is a game. Do you have any tips for her to drop things in her mouth and stop running away?
Hi there I’m sorry this is not as simple as One Correction if you’re looking for some helps go to my Facebook page a message to their regards Chris
The sound keeps fading in and out
My working cocker is 2 year old now, is he basically a cabbage?
You need to look at the breeding as that is 90% of the dog
👍