BIRD DOG / FAMILY PET QUESTION

[BIGINNER]

HOW MUCH OF YOU GUYS/GALS WITH BIRD DOGS TAKE YOUR DOGS ON TRIPS TO THE PARK WITH YOU?  HOW STRICT ARE YOU WITH LETTING THE DOG PULL ON THE LEASH?  DO YOU LET THE DOG SNIFF AROUND?

BASICALY THE WAY I DO IT, IS I USUALLY TAKE MY DOG WITH US (WIFE AND KID) TO THE PARK, OR ON EVENING STROLLS WITH MY WIFE.  I AM VERY STRICT WITH NOT LETTING HIM PULL ON THE LEASH, AND HE DOES VERY GOOD WITH THAT,... BUT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT HOW I SHOULD BE ABOUT LETTING HIM ROAM/SNIFF TOO MUCH WHEN WE'RE AT THE PARK/STROLL.  I KEEP THINKING THAT IF I LET HIM HAVE TOO MUCH FREEDOME WHILE ON THE LEASH HE WILL TRY TO BE "DOMINANT" AND ON THE OTHER HAND I'M WORRIED THAT IF I'M TOO TRICK WITH HIM EXPLOREING/SNIFFING AROUNG THAT IT WILL AFFECT HIM IN THE FEILD, AND MAKE HIM BE SCARED TO GO OUT AND FIND BIRDS.

SO FOR NOW I JUST DON'T LET HIM PULL,  AND LET HIM SNIFF AROUND ON "MY TERMS" .


SO.. MY FINAL QUESTION, DO ANY OF YOU NOTICE ANY "SIDEAFECTS" OUT IN THE FEILD FROM  "PARK TRINING" YOUR DOG?

 

[Stilly bay]

most dogs are pretty good at figuring out when its time to go hunting when they are just going for a walk. taking him to the park where there are many distractions is a perfect time to work on and maintain his obedience. save the real gun dog training for an environment where you can actually train a gun dog - where you can shoot birds and not get arrested.

[Happy Gilmore]

dogs better walk on lead like perfect angels at my house. I don't accept pulling. It's something that really P*sses me off. It can be corrected with a good chain and a buggy whip in a couple easy sessions. Way better than being a nag and always tugging, bitching and scolding using a flat collar or even the big old pinch collars-

Dogs know the difference between a given setting. I don't think you'll have a hard time convincing your dog to walk on lead then, go shoot a pheasant over him and worry his drive might be negatively affected because you taught him some manners. If anything, it will vastly improve his focus.....

[vandeman17]

Agree with above statements. Dogs are pretty darn smart and I am a firm believer they know the difference between "walk" time and "hunting" time

[SpringerFan]

Well, I made the mistake of letting my Springer get away with not heeling. Big mistake. By letting me letting him learn that it is ok to do that taught him it was ok to not obey commands all the time.

I thought, well, he is a hunting dog. They need to be out front..............WRONG!

Learned my lesson. He is now heeling, looking me in the eyes and listening to all commands. I still take him for walks and toss in some commands. But I do let him have his time too. But not at the expense of not obeying. I learned the hard way. His behavior after only a few weeks of "my behavior" change is amazing.

Never let them get the upper hand on you. If you give an inch, they will take that mile.