Topic 1 - Training Methods

The Broadsheets were designed to present dog owners with a training method that does not involve any level of cruelty. Gundogs from good working lines, irrespective of whether they are labradors, springer spaniels or HPRs, should have the natural abilities and instincts to enable them to be trained to the very highest standards without resorting to "harsh" training methods that involve subjecting a puppy to pain or discomfort. Techniques such as the use of electric shock collars, smacking or pinching ears have absolutely no place in a humane training regime and are totally unnecessary if the dog has the required natural abilities and the trainer has the requisite degree of patience and respect for his dog.

This is why it is essential that a puppy intended for use as a gundog or bird dog must be chosen from Field Trial stock. In Britain such dogs should have a genetic predisposition to easy training by humane methods and possess natural hunting and retrieving instincts. Even if the dog is only intended for use in roughshooting (upland game hunting) or wildfowling (waterfowling), it really pays to start with a puppy from Field Trial parentage.

Topic 2 - Early Days

The Broadsheets suggest that a formal approach to basic obedience training should begin at the age of 3 or 4 months. As it is common to obtain a puppy at the age of about 7 weeks, some owners have asked how the first few weeks of their puppy ownership should be spent.

The short answer is that this very early stage in a puppy's life should be spent having fun, playing games, getting used to its new home and owner and generally becoming conditioned to a few basic rules.

There will be lots of occasions every day, especially if the puppy is being kept in your house, rather than in an outside kennel, when the puppy will do things that can either be encouraged or discouraged. In fact, this is an ideal time to establish tone of voice as tool that you will use frequently in future training. Tone of voice is one of the most powerful reinforcement and punishment agents you will have in a humane training regime.

To begin with, use a kind "Good Boy (or Girl)", along with a small edible treat and some physical petting to reward any action that you want to encourage. Conversely, use "Bad Dog!", "Down" or a simple "No!" in a harsh tone of voice, along with gentle physical correction, as a punishment or deterrent to stop an action that you want to discourage. For example if you call the puppy's name and he comes to you (purely from inquisitiveness at this stage as you have not yet trained him), praise him in a kind voice and reward with petting and/or a treat. If he makes as if to chew an electric lamp cable, tell him "No!" in a harsh voice and gently lift him away from the cable by the scruff of the neck. Similarly, if you are sitting in a chair and he rears up to place his front paws on your knees, command "Down!" in a harsh voice and gently lift him down to the floor. Remember that he will also be conditioned by the words you use - so use them consistently and avoid words that you may want to use as other commands later in training.

Think critically about everything you and your puppy do at this stage in his life - you will be surprised by just how many opportunities there are to establish early training. The important factor is to be clear and consistent in the messages you give.

The other important aspect of these early days is in the games you play with your puppy. Watch any litter of young puppies and you will notice that they play lots of boisterous games with each other, followed by frequent spells of sleep. When you bring home your puppy, you are taking it away from its litter mates and the puppy will want to play the same games with you. There are two golden rules that apply to this period of play:

(a) Do not allow games that involve behaviour that will be regarded as undesirable later on. The prime example is "tug o' war" where the puppy takes something into his mouth and invites you (or so it seems) to try to pull it away from him. Avoid this game at all costs.

(b) Clearly establish a difference between objects (such as toys and chews) that are OK for the puppy to play with, and objects (such as your shoe laces or purse) that are "yours" and not OK to play with. Again use tone of voice to indicate the difference. This is an important differentiation as, once you start retriever training, it is important that the puppy does not regard the training dummy as "his" toy.

Finally, as you get to know your puppy and become confident with him, there is no harm in bringing some of the simplest formal obedience exercises forward a week or two. In play or in everyday routines, there may be opportunities to introduce "Sit" and "Here" a little earlier than the Broadsheets suggest. But do not be over-eager; patience is a real virtue, especially in the early days of dog training.

Topic 3 - Use of Heavier Gundog Training Dummies

Most of the basic gundog training will be carried out using canvas dummies that weigh about 1 lb (0.45 Kg). This is an ideal weight for most purposes.

However, from about 10 months of age, it can be advantageous to introduce a heavier dummy for occasional use. Dummies weighing 2 lbs and 3 lbs are available and one of each is a useful addition to the trainer's armoury.

Apart from accustoming the dog to retrieving heavier objects in preparation for work with birds and rabbits, the heavier dummies also encourage the puppy to lift and hold an object in a well balanced way. Do be careful not to introduce heavier dummies too early as, if it is physically impossible for the puppy to lift them easily, he may resort to dragging them by the toggle.

Useful Links

Gundog Training Discussion Forum

Gundogs Galore

Gundog Training Magazine