Field Obedience?

[northwoodshunter]

What are some ways to improve my pups recall and whoa whenever i say it? I plan on running him in field trials next year(coverdog mostly) and he is almost 6mo english setter. I don't want to have to always be calling him in while we are out "hunting" but are actually trying to get him on birds for training. I want him that when he gets older he ranges pretty far. I want to be able to see him but he doesn't need to be close because he will be whistle broke when he is good at vocal recall but can't figure out what to do. i also wanna work on retrieving as that right now he doesn't seem to be a natural retriever but he could still be teething a bit.
Thanks
-Northwoodshunter

[mnaj_springer]

It sounds like you're new to the dog game. My advice is to find a club and/or mentor to help you out. I'm not trying to be offensive, just giving the best advice I can.

[Neil]

Sir, you posted the question earlier, and I think you got some good advice, you should read them. I particularly liked the one about working with the breeder, he has a vested interest in your success and has proven he knows how to win.

[northwoodshunter]

Im not talking about field trials anymore, i mean overall just field obedience, i have talked to the owner of his mom and i plan on meeting up with him if i go to the trial.

[northwoodshunter]

Neil- I brought up the field trial just to let everyone know what is goin on, i am also just gonna hunt with him, andi feel that recall is very important, Sorry for any confusion

[slistoe]

Do you really think that no one hunts with their field trial dogs?

If you liked the parents of the pup enough to buy one of their offspring - why not take the advice of the people who own and developed those dogs to help you make your dog into what they have.

[shags]

Work on recall and whoa in the yard, and don't nag the dog in the field. You will impair his independence if you do too much drilling in the field; you can't have him ranging far if you're nagging him to come in ( well, maybe, but then he's blowing you off and you don't want that either). He's only six months old and for most setters that's a very immature age. Training is a gradual process, and one thing is built upon another. Do not get in a hurry, it takes as long as it takes.

I think you need to set your priorities regarding the retrieve. IME setters are not famous for natural retrieve; I've only had one that liked to. I go to a lot of horseback trials, some of them for continental breeds where retrieving is required. It can be a tough task to have a 100% steady dog while they anticipate getting the birds in their mouths, so be aware of that. The pressure can take a toll, and if you want to trial, you don't want to take anything out of your dog. You might have a dog that loves to retrieve and /or can take lots of pressure, IDK, but my advice is to go slow and not get all hyped up about training everything at once. Your dog is just a baby. If you are lucky, you have 13 years with him in front of you, no need to pack everything into this year.

Please, line up a mentor who can guide you. If you're in coverdog areas, there are coverdog trainers who can give you some guidance. They can help you with getting your pup out to hunt without messing up his possiblities as a trial dog, if trialing is what you plan to do.

I think most folks who have the luxury of wild birds would tell you to let the birds teach the dog, let the pup learn by doing for now, and once *he tells you* when he's ready for more intense training, to build on his experience.

It sounds to me like you are over anxious and rushing. If not, Please don't take offense, none intended. I can tell you there are no champion dogs under a year old, so you can afford to slow down and enjoy your pup as a pup. He's not even finished growing yet.

[Runningdog]

Work on recall and whoa in the yard, and don't nag the dog in the field. You will impair his independence if you do too much drilling in the field; you can't have him ranging far if you're nagging him to come in ( well, maybe, but then he's blowing you off and you don't want that either). He's only six months old and for most setters that's a very immature age. Training is a gradual process, and one thing is built upon another. Do not get in a hurry, it takes as long as it takes.

I think you need to set your priorities regarding the retrieve. IME setters are not famous for natural retrieve; I've only had one that liked to. I go to a lot of horseback trials, some of them for continental breeds where retrieving is required. It can be a tough task to have a 100% steady dog while they anticipate getting the birds in their mouths, so be aware of that. The pressure can take a toll, and if you want to trial, you don't want to take anything out of your dog. You might have a dog that loves to retrieve and /or can take lots of pressure, IDK, but my advice is to go slow and not get all hyped up about training everything at once. Your dog is just a baby. If you are lucky, you have 13 years with him in front of you, no need to pack everything into this year.

Please, line up a mentor who can guide you. If you're in coverdog areas, there are coverdog trainers who can give you some guidance. They can help you with getting your pup out to hunt without messing up his possiblities as a trial dog, if trialing is what you plan to do.

I think most folks who have the luxury of wild birds would tell you to let the birds teach the dog, let the pup learn by doing for now, and once *he tells you* when he's ready for more intense training, to build on his experience.

It sounds to me like you are over anxious and rushing. If not, Please don't take offense, none intended. I can tell you there are no champion dogs under a year old, so you can afford to slow down and enjoy your pup as a pup. He's not even finished growing yet.

Enough said well done!

[Timewise65]

Usually, I start our on day one teaching basic obedience and by 12 weeks we go to a gun dog puppy obedience class. I start them on pinch collars in that class to teach heel, sit, and recalls in a classroom sitting. From that I transition, to yard work following a specific program that I have used in the past. When all the obedience and basic training is in place, which for me includes being Forced Fetched and Conditioned to an ECollar...then and only then do we go into the field for advanced training. Each dog will go at their own pace. I have a professional that I will go to for a few hours during this process, and he will help me with and objective opinion as to where my dog is and what to do next, plus other issues he may spot. Don't set goals or time lines...the dog will let you know!

The challenge and fun is in this process....running in tests or trials become your reward for all your hard work...

Good Luck

[Sharon]

Baby steps. Until the dog is coming regularly when called in the yard and then coming when called in a larger area , he won't come when called in a big field with birds. Start in the back yard and transition to the e collar for "come".

[Swampbilly]

What are some ways to improve my pups recall and whoa whenever i say it? I plan on running him in field trials next year(coverdog mostly) and he is almost 6mo english setter. I don't want to have to always be calling him in while we are out "hunting" but are actually trying to get him on birds for training. I want him that when he gets older he ranges pretty far. I want to be able to see him but he doesn't need to be close because he will be whistle broke when he is good at vocal recall but can't figure out what to do. i also wanna work on retrieving as that right now he doesn't seem to be a natural retriever but he could still be teething a bit.
Thanks
-Northwoodshunter

Don't know about "field obedience", but do know about Obedience that begins in the yard and translates ----> to the field.
Re-enforce HERE!
Forever.

[Coach]

I cannot give any advice other than the very best thing I did with my pup is join a club.

I joined the local NAVHDA club and have not only learned a ton, but gained a ton of mentors in the process. Well worth the money paid and miles driven!!

[Irishwhistler]

Ye got great / solid advice, Take it and work with it.

Good luck with ye pup.

Cheers,
Irishwhistler

[SubMariner]

Obedience is obedience.

Take a look locally for some obedience clubs. Start with the basics and move up from there. What you learn in the classes will give you a foundation to build upon when it comes to more specific field commands like "whoah".