Training a new pup

[erickson3t]

I just got a brittany pup. He is about 8 months old and when I got him.. he didn't know simple commands like sit and come.. he is finally getting the sit part but still does understand come.. especially when I am outside with him - it's like I'm not even there..  does anyone have any experience with this, that could offer up some advice.

[Smokepole]

As the trainer, you need to be the only person feeding him.  Make the pup sit and stay before he gets to eat.  Hold the palm of your hand out to stay "stop".  Then put the food bowl down in front of him.  Say "o.k." for the pup to eat.  Make the pup wait different lengths of time.  After you teach him this, you will begin to start controlling the dog.  Use only one word commands and keep it simple.  Sit, stay, come, okay, and lots of good dogs and praise.

Potty train the dog by keeping him in a kennel at night.  Eventually he'll be able to sleep on a pet bed.

Get a copy of Richard Wolters book, Family Dog or water dog.  Excellent training advice that works.  Your pup is a little old, but with patience, he will become a good dog.

Here's a great video:  https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x390kk9

[jagermiester]

How long have you had the dog?
What does your daily routine with the dog look like?

[bornhunter]

I have trained a lot of dogs. Do exactly what smokepole said and your dog will come around just fine. I would add, lots and lots of praise for everything he does right. Crazy praise. A trainer once said "If the neighbors think you are crazy when they see how you praise your dog, then you are doing it right!" Good luck.

[bornhunter]

And always be at his level when teaching him to come to you. Get on your knees. When he gets to you, its crazy praise time

[bigdave]

I had the same problem with my dog. He would obey on short and long leash and as soon as he got off leash in the field he would become so distracted it was like his ears refused to work. I did resort to a shock collar for about three training sessions. I would give the command...pause..... if he ignored me or looked at me, gave me the "yeah, whatever" and ignored.....he got a light shock, followed by the command and lots of praise when he obeyed. Only took a few times and he would give me his immediate attention even if his nose was working. It was a total distraction thing, and I haven't used it since.

Now I just wish I could use it on my teenage son. lol

[Fishmaker57]

Well, your behind the eight ball on this, so I would recommend 3 things right away:

Buy Richard Wolter's book Gun Dog, and follow it as best you can
Get a shock collar, so the pup understands that he needs to listen when you give a command
Get him out in the field ASAP......nothing helps train a dog better than field time, particularly if he is with other experienced dogs

Just my two cents...…

Good Luck!

[tlbradford]

I think Wolters methods are too heavy handed to use on a Brit.  Check out George Hickox or Delmar Smith for better books to use for pointers.  I used Gun Dog for years but my found my last two pointers using Smith methods was easier on the dog and gave me better results in the field.  Obedience wise, results are the same.