Training Hunting Dogs

Many sportsmen have dreamed of owning and training a hunting dog. They are sometimes better companions than man. They will not desert you in trying times. They are useful companions on your forays out into the fields.

Training these dogs can be sometimes exasperating. Females usually respond better to training than male dogs. Some dogs only want to please you Some dogs only want to drive you to your wits end. I have owned several springer spaniels and several other birdy dogs.

One springer was a joy to have and to train. She tried extra hard to please me and learned commands very eagerly and quickly. Within a matter of months I had taught this dog everything that I could teach it out of every book at my disposal. We were fast friends and she never did anything to cause my blood pressure to go up. I took her to the field without the benefit of a shock collar. In fact I never had to use those collars on this dog. She was a pleasure to be around and a joy to have in my family. Her manners were impeccable around children and other family members. She died suddenly one day. I came home from work one day and she lay dead at my back door step. I wept over this dog's death and still grieve over her to this day. It was like losing a member of the family.

I obtained another springer spaniel to fill the void that Chelsea left in our lives. I chose a male springer from a breeder and took him home. This dog was obstinate from the very beginning. I had never used a shock collar on Chelsea and figured that this dog would be just as easy to train. Was I ever wrong. The first time that I took the dog to the field he showed no interest in hunting and refused to obey my simplest command. He even refused to walk at my side. He locked his legs and refused to move. I started the dog out with a 22 pistol because I did not own a starter pistol. I was in the midst of my training regimen and was on the verge of a stroke when I heard several gunshots near to me. I could not figure out who could be shooting this close to the dog and I. I looked around and did not see a soul in sight. I happened to look down at my feet and observed 6 small holes in the dirt not two inches from the end of my toes. I took that dog back home and never tried to train him again. He has made a wonderful family dog and is great with the kids.

Max got cancer. I treated him the best way that I could. Everyone told me to put him down. I did not have the heart to do this. I let him live and die in his own time. I next obtained a weimaraner male puppy. His dad weighed 95 pounds and I thought that this dog would be good protection for my wife and myself. The trying times began. He tore my whole back yard up. He ate the siding off of my house. He invaded the neighbor's yards and made foraging runs with the spoils left at my back door. I was urged to buy an electric fence in order to keep him from straying all over the neighborhood. After a few training sessions I bought a shock collar in order to properly train him. This dog is immune to everything. I even began to be convinced that he appreciated training sessions with the shock collar. I read in a book that one-third of weimaraner owners give the dogs up before they reach maturity.

Behavioral problems are the number one complaint against these dogs.

I was ready to give him back to the dog rescue squad when I happened to observe him through the back window on point at a squirrel. This dog still had a chance. All was forgiven. I forgot the past and continued with the training regimen. None of my neighbors will speak to me except in angry tones. The family next door has had to replace a set of towels

used after time spent swimming in their pool. I found a brand new mop at my doorstep yesterday. There is still hope. On excursions out into the woods the dog seems to have a keen nose when confronted with scent left from deer and coyotes. He has a biting problem.

My arms are bloody from trying to pet him on occasion. My wife says that he is still a puppy and that he will outgrow these annoyances. I know that somewhere in the recesses of that hard head lives the heart of a great hunting dog. I just wish he would stop hunting for play things in my neighbors back yards.

Steve Graham is an avid hunter and fisherman and shares his experiences and knowledge with others.

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