My new Brittany Spaniel

[Ajj828]

First week with this dog! He's starting to get adjusted to the family! I'm wanting to train this dog to hunt with me. I primarily hunt ducks and it's my favorite bird to hunt but I know this breed is very good for pheasants. Can dogs hunt both ducks and pheasent? This is my first hunting dog I've ever owned so I'm excited to train him. He's almost 5 months old and I don't know where to start yet. I've watched lots of dog training videos on YouTube for pheasent and duck hunting I'm just not sure when I should actually start training him and getting him introduced to loud noises and gun fire. Right now I'm just focusing on sit, stay, and come and he's getting pretty good with these commands. Suggestions on dog training are appreciated. This dog has been a great addition to the family so far! Everyone loves him! I also have 8 acres of field and lots of time to work with him.

[KFhunter]

You can hunt anything with that dog, but he won't stand the cold water like a lab or a chessie - not by a long shot.   So I would keep a neoprene vest on him even in mild temps.  Also they don't have the retrieve drive of a retriever so he'll need professionally force fetched. 

Also, you can drop the "Spaniel" off, no one calls them Brittany Spaniels.  Got more pointer in them than spaniels anyways    (inside joke)

[KFhunter]

Are you keeping him intact?  if so post up his lines, there's a potential someone might want stud services here.   Your dog looks like a lot of beans blaze and nolans.

[Skyvalhunter]

So he is the Bullet breed of the Brittanys correct as his feet a re small like the Bitt I picked up recently. My other brit is larger. My first one I thought I would train myself and ended up sending him to a trainer for a couple months. Turned out great. He is a great hunting dog, hiker, and family dog. Couldn't have asked for a better dog.

[gregr072]

Enjoy your Britt!  Let him be a pup, explore those fields, build some confidence and learn about his world and you'll have a great time with him over the years.

[JBG]

Nice looking pup.  The best advise would be to get him on a training program such as:
Smartworks by Evan Graham
Bill Hillman
10 Minute Reteriver
Mike Lardy Total Retriever Training

Water Dog by Richard Wolters is very dated and the programs above will get you much further.

[jagermiester]

Look into NAVHDA. If you train for NAVHDA your Britt will learn to retrieve by searching not by hand signals. I really like the Treasure Mountain Chapter. Great people.

[SureThing]

Brittney's are great all around dogs. If you hunt ducks he will hunt best in the early season. They don't have the thick skin like labs. This breed is a pointing breed and hunt best in thicker cover that big dogs have a harder time getting through. They are awesome quail dogs around Russian olive and rose hip. If you hunt ducks around irrigation ditches and small ponds you can hunt quail, pheasants and ducks all at the same time. I never had any problem getting my Brittney's to retrieve. They are small dogs that don't realize they are small. I love they enthusiasm and their heart. They will hunt all day every day. Have fun.

[hollymaster]

I have one Britt who prefers ducks over anything. Just get him a good neoprene vest for the cold stuff.