Spaniel Training Review - Advice on Choosing a Spaniel Puppy

These are the key questions to ask yourself when buying an English Springer, Cocker or Welsh Springer Spaniel for training to a high standard:

Look at the mother, is it a dog that you like the look of as puppies on the whole will have 60% to 70% traits of the mother. God willing, you are going to be taking this dog out for the next 10 – 15 years so it’s good to be proud of the dog that you have on the end of the lead.

If possible in a similar manner check out the father. This may not be possible but the breeder should at least be able to provide images of the dog and be keen to show you these and the pedigree. Looking at both the father and mother if you can, will the puppies be a good result in terms of conformation, intelligence and working ability.

The owner should be happy to demonstrate the mothers working and training ability. From a couple of retrieves and the degree of motivation and drive you see, you should get a feel of how well the puppies will turn out.

Faced with a choice of choosing from a bunch of Spaniel Puppies there is an old theory that if you take all the puppies out of their box and then watch the mother select the first puppy for taking back to the box, then this is her favourite choice and therefore one to be seriously considered.

There is another theory to select the puppy that just takes your fancy and which you form an initial bond with as this is indicative that a relationship has been formed and that both man and dog will do well together.

Look at the Kennel environment. What is it like. Is it a clean and happy environment. If it is not I would question how the puppies have been looked after. Not a good start if the Kennel is dirty.

When the puppies come out to meet you, do they look healthy and lively. Often if the puppies have recently been viewed by some other prospective owner, they will be tired. In this case,I would advise you wait to view until the puppies have fully rested and then you can get a good chance to review their health, energy and character.

When the puppies are out in their run, look for a puppy that shows no fear and presents signs of early hunting ability. Look for a puppy that comes to you easily in a friendly manner for these are the hallmark signs of a biddable Spaniel that will be very easy to train.

Follow the farmers selection of a good sheepdog for work. A broad and round skull are good indications that his head is ‘packed with brains’.

Where tail docking is legal, has this been done properly leaving two thirds of the tail on.

Check the formation of the eye. Is it round and dark brown in colour. If it is then this is good. If it is light and yellow then not good.

Look you see the dogs pedigree and in particular the first three generations which are the most important. If it is a hunting / shooting dog that you require then you are looking for Field Trial Champions FTCH in the pedigree. If you are looking for show champions then you should see SHCH show bench winner. The best spaniels to be trained will the from the working line as they have been developed generation after generation to develop their working instincts. If you are looking for good looks and not training ability then go for the show winning spaniels. Working spaniels are not bred for looks but for brains and for overcoming weaknesses in previous generations.

At the time of writing in the UK, the price of buying a puppy from a working pedigree is between £350 to £550. For this price the dog should be Kennel Club registered.

This is a most fundamental point, but Spaniels are natural hunters with endless amounts of energy. As such, If you live in a city or don’t have the time to exercise a Spaniel then please don’t consider one. Choose another breed as this is not fair on the dog. Most reputable breeders I am aware of are very careful as to where their carefully bred puppies will end up.

If you follow these key steps you will have chosen a great Spaniel puppy as a starting point for a great future. If you put the time and effort in, there is a good chance you will be able to develop the dog to a high standard and have a great companion at the same time.

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Spaniel Training Review - 1/2 lb Rabbit Skin Training Dummy

This training dummy is great for getting your puppy used to picking up a fur covered dummy and to generally get used to rabbit scent. This product is essentially a ½ lb dummy covered in cured rabbit skin. Regular use with this and the heavier versions will ensure that your dog should pick up and retrieve a dead rabbit in the field.

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Spaniel Training - Feather Wing Wrap for Training Dummies

This feather ring wraps round all sizes of your spaniel’s training dummy and accustoms the dog to the feel of feathers in it’s mouth on pick up / retrieval.

This provides great training for your spaniel in advance of picking up shot game in the field. If possible, it’s also good to add real pheasant, duck or other bird feathers into the wrap with the aid of some elastic bands if required. This will provide some good new scent training for your dog.

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Spaniel Training Review - 6lb Hare Training Dummy

The 6lb hand hare / goose dummy is generally the heaviest of spaniel training dummies and gets your spaniel used to retrieving the equivalent weight of game such as a hare or a goose – these can be challenging to pick up for a dog and learning to get the right balance is essential. These training dummies tend to be weighted at each end with a soft filled middle section. This teaches your spaniel to grip, lift and balance a large and heavy weight. Try lifting 6lbs in weight yourself and you will see this is not an easy task !!. Practice makes perfect so add one to your training tools and further develop your dogs skills and picking up strength.

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For spaniel competition, hunting and just fun training, the 3lb hand throwing dummy is essential equipment for Spaniel Training development getting your spaniel used to retrieving heavier weights.

The dummies tend to be made from tough, durable waterproof cotton canvass for longer lasting use and are filled to give the correct feel to the dog’s mouth. A plastic sealed interior helps prevent the dummies from sinking in water.

3lb Spaniel Training Dummy

On the 3lb dummy, there is a throwing toggle for throwing over longer distances. They are ideal for blind and directional retrieves, both on land and in water. The 3lb dummies come in the following range of colours for ease of marking; Green, Olive, Khaki, Orange and Red

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Half Pound Spaniel Training Dummy

This is a great dummy for puppy spaniel training. It is the same weight as the puppy dummy but has a throwing toggle for ease of throwing over a distance. It is essential starting equipment for puppy to adult spaniel training. They can also be used by adult spaniel training to simulate smaller game or for training smaller spaniels.

The dummies tend to be made from tough, durable waterproof cotton canvass for longer lasting use and are filled to give the correct feel to the dog’s mouth. A plastic sealed interior helps prevent the dummies from sinking in water.

The ½ lb dummies come in the following range of colours; Green, Olive, Khaki, Orange and Red for ease of marking

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For spaniel competition, hunting and just fun training, this popular 1lb hand throwing dummy is essential starting equipment for puppy to adult Spaniel Training.

Spaniel Training Review - 1lb training dummy

The dummies tend to be made from tough, durable waterproof cotton canvass for longer lasting use and are filled to give the correct feel to the dog’s mouth. A plastic sealed interior helps prevent the dummies from sinking in water.

On the 1lb dummy, there is a throwing toggle for throwing over longer distances. They are ideal for blind and directional retrieves, both on land and in water. The 1lb dummies come in the following range of colours; Green, Olive, Khaki, Orange and Red

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www.spaniel-training.com - puppy dummies

This is essential starting equipment for Spaniel Training. You can start training indoors with a stuffed old sock but as you progress to train outside, you will need waterproof equipment.

There are a range of different sizes and weights to develop your dog’s skill in hunting and retrieving. The dummies tend to be made from tough, durable waterproof cotton canvass for longer lasting use and are filled to give the correct feel to the dog’s mouth. A plastic sealed interior helps prevent the dummies from sinking in water. Most are fitted with a throwing toggle.

For the puppy dummy, these usually weigh half a pound (220 grams) in weight and are used to throw for short distances and as such, there is often no throwing toggle. They are ideal for the early stages of retrieving over fairly short distances. The puppy dummies come in the following range of colours; Green, Khaki, Orange and Red

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Spaniel Training - David Lisset Box Set

This is a great DVD boxed set for the Spaniel enthusiast filmed on the beautiful Buccleuch estate in Scotland. Today, the Buccleuch Kennel is home to many champion gundogs who have won many prestigious accolades, including the British and Irish Springer Spaniel Championships, under the expert handling of David Lisett.

The DVD set covers all the aspects of Spaniel Training from puppy to the polished shooting companion whether as a peg dog or trialing dog. Featuring and presented by David Lisett, winner of the 2004, 2005 and 2007 English Springer Spaniel Championship and 2003, 2005 and 2007 Irish Spaniel Championship.

www.spaniel-training.com - Buccleuch Estate

David Lisett gives you lots of useful tips whilst showing you some early training exercises going right for the handler. David also shows you some exercises going wrong and more importantly how you can correct their mistakes and stop training problems from developing.

Even if your Spaniel is not going to be used for work the DVD set will show how to stimulate your dog’s natural instincts and train him to a very high standard – the beautiful Scottish scenery is not that bad either !

The box contents are as follows:

FILM 1
Stimulate your puppy’s natural instincts and get a young dog to work with you

FILM 2
Challenging that raw talent and enthusiasm through positive training

FILM 3
Giving the dog an early experience and lessons in becoming a shooting dog

FILM 4
Bringing training to a conclusion by building confidence, using natural ability

Running Time 300 Minutes

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