Steve D wrote:

I have just the one but almost all our dogs are related. Our friend has bred hers a couple of times just to keep the line going and they kept Dee Dee from the last litter. Our friends lost the Grandad of them all this year under similar circumstances as yours. I think Dee Dee would have been his great, great, great granddaughter. We walk regularly as a group several times a week and can have ten or more related dogs on the walk.

now that could get confusing finding yours in that lot

I have an 8 month old black/white working English Springer but by god is he strong willed and defiant. Off the lead he disappears for 5-10 minutes hunting and wont come back until he is ready. He isn't treat focused, or fuss/praise focused so trying to find ways to encourage him to stay close is a nightmare... any suggestions ?

Get yourself to a good local pro gundog trainer for a course of lessons. You don't have to be a shooting person but all gundog work is based on control of the dog.

Hi Rogb
Without being rude but the problem is of your own making by letting the pup do what it wants, as been suggested gun dog training even though you don't shoot or work the dog. It's not too late but will take longer. I suppose the trick is for the dog to find a reward close to you easy to do with a tennis ball dropped in grass near you let the dog see it a couple of time's then drop it when the dog isn't looking. All training is based on fun and repetition. A whistle is a very good tool and better than shouting also easy to train the dog to.

yes it is of my own making, as ive seen a video of one of his sisters being trained to work and she is brilliant. It is down to personal methods of training. However I don't let him do what he wants, but cant seem to find the trick to get him to fully recall every time.
He has a strain called Rytex in him, which was bred into the bloodline by a guy who breeds and fully works his dogs. That strain is apparently renowned for being defiant and strong willed. I just need to find the key to unlock that defiance.

Sad to say as well, but now the older one has gone I can devote my time to him but if that doesn't work then its off to a trainer I go

Rytex appears in a lot of springers and Ian Openshaw is very successful at trailing. I would start afresh you need to make yourself the best thing the dog wants. Don't let the dog have any free running /hunting at all he already knows he can have fun without you. You will require a lot of patience small steps and repartition the two most important things are stop and recall each and every time. My previous spanner had Rytex and was very biddable. The one I have now is amazing he was in a rabbit pen flushing and stopping to flush at 8 months of age.
Good look with it

sounds like you know your stuff and your not that far from me possibly. might have to arrange a meet for advice if I hit a brick wall with him if that's ok.

Not far away only in Tibshelf, I will help if I can.

nice stroll up the Teversal trail from me then

cheers Archie, ill let you know how things progress

Hi Rogb
Invest in a 210 1/2 dog whistle less than a fiver better than shouti g.

cheers just ordered one and a clicker to try as well.

Got a lovely present from our daughter for Christmas. A drawing of our Spaniel! She has a friend who is quite artistic and can draw pictures from photographs. She used this photograph:



And drew this although she got the date wrong!!!!



I know some people can’t tell one dog from another but I think it’s a very good likeness.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

That's very good

Wow that girl is talented fantastic picture

" .... And drew this although she got the date wrong!!!! .... "


That is what rubbers are for

.

Steve that's a wee cracker that

Hope that talent isn't wasted. If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.