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ADULT Gundog SOCIAL SKILLS

 

A pet gundog, (like any other companion dog), should exhibit a specific set of skills when out on a public walk. 

 

These skills are a combination of general obedience and a temperament that is calm, confident, and responsive to the owner. 

 

Given their innate instincts for hunting, chasing, and retrieving, pet gundogs often require specific training to manage these drives in a public setting.

 

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Your spaniels Adult Social Skills consist of:

 

Handler Engagement.

Loose-leash walking - Your dog should be able to separate the heel from the hunt (or play) & walk beside you without pulling or lunging.. ideally both on and off the leash.

This demonstrates that the dog is *engaged with you, and not on every distraction in the environment.. 

(*We don't ask for focus on you as a good gundog should be focussed on his environment.. but we do want engagement)

 

Reliable recall.

A gundog's recall (the "come" command) must be fool-proof. This is essential for safety, as their instinct to chase or hunt can be triggered in a split moment - by a squirrel, a bird, or another animal. 

They should return to the handler promptly, even with significant distractions.

Ideally they would be steady enough not to chase in the first place - but training all takes time.

 

"Sit," commands

The dog should be able to hold this command for a reasonable duration, even when other people or dogs are nearby. This shows a control of their impulses and an ability to remain steady in any environment.

 

Self-control (steadiness): 

Your gundog needs to manage his impulses. This includes not running in on a retrieve (in a training context) or, more relevant to a public walk, not lunging towards a passing dog, a jogger, or a cyclist...(Anything else including scent)

 

Social Behaviour

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Calmness around other dogs - A well-trained gundog should be able to walk past other dogs without becoming overly excited, reactive, or aggressive. 

They should be able to pass by another dog calmly, without the need for a frantic greeting or a fight.

 

Calmness around people - 

The dog should be comfortable with and not react to a variety of people, including children, people with sticks or crutches, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those in different uniforms. They should not be overly friendly, jumping up to greet strangers, but should also not show any fear or aggression.

 

Manners around new environments - Gundogs should be comfortable in a variety of settings, from rural parks to urban areas. They should not be stressed by new sights, sounds, or smells, and should be able to continue to focus on their handler. This is especially important for gundogs, who can be highly stimulated by different scents and environmental cues.

 

Disengagement from distractions - One of the most critical skills for a pet gundog is the ability to disengage from tempting distractions like wildlife, other dogs at play, or interesting scents. In a controlled public environment they should be able to focus on their owner even when their natural hunting instincts are piqued.

 

Training for a pet gundog focuses on channelling their innate drives in a constructive way.

 

As your dog leaves those puppy months behind - think about training for Adult Social Skills

 

Book your session today

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Our Adult Social Skills Course

1-2-1   Course of 4 sessions 

Includes: 

A session in Leash walking skills

A session in Recall skills

A session in Steadiness + Stop/Sit

A session in Distraction & Decoy

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£200   Weekdays

£240   Weekends

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Not a Behavioural Treatment

Does not address dog/dog and/or dog/human reactivity.

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If your dog is uncomfortable or distressed in the presence of others and you'd like to work on the course, we can meet you in the Runfree Dog Fields Carluke