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This series takes a look at the ‘lot’ of the working Springer Spaniel in our modern society
No doubt your springer is the ‘Bees Knees’.
He comes when he is called, hunts within gunshot, and is steady to shot, flush and fall. Yes?
Well, you are probably a committed field trailer. Or perhaps you have at least five years gundog training experience under your belt.
If not, you are a member of one of the smallest minorities in the country.
Springers are (in) trouble
The fact is that for a lot of inexperienced dog owners, Springers are ‘trouble’. And all to often they are ‘in trouble’ too.
For many working bred springer pups end up in rescue centres.
This series of articles about Springers takes a hard look at the working Springer Spaniel’s place in society.
It asks why we let so many working Springers down. It also asks “what can be done about it?”.
A lot of people are struggling with Springers
When the Gundog Club was launched in 2006 those involved, including myself, were shocked at the number of people who were struggling with their dogs to the point of despair.
Before the Gundog Club arrived, there was no central source of information and advice for gundog owners, and the need for such a service became immediately clear. It was in fact overwhelming for our small team of staff.
Over the intervening years the Gundog Club has received a sobering amount of requests for help. There are a lot of very concerned dog owners out there that have bought themselves a whole bundle of trouble.
These people are not for the most part, the owners of lively young Labradors, the nation’s favourite pet gundog, so often exuberant and destructive when young.
They are not the owners of the cheeky and mischievous working Cocker rapidly growing in popularity and sometimes labelled as ‘difficult’. On the contrary, the people in trouble, over 90% of them, are the owners of English Springer Spaniels.
Out of control!
When the phone rings, the conversation usually begins like this:
“ I have a Springer Spaniel, and he is 8 months old”.
Sometimes it is 10 months or 12 months but you get the picture.
In most cases, what is happening is that the dog is being taken for a walk in the countryside and he is ‘running away’. And I am not talking about a few minutes, or a couple of hundred yards here.
We are talking hours and miles.
In almost every case the running away is triggered by chasing something. It can be something as small as a bee, or as big as a deer. It is all the same to the dog.
And of course, once the chase has begun, inevitably more wildlife is disturbed and one chase leads to another and another.
The problem pet
Most working bred Springer pups are actually purchased as pets. But by the time that their pet is approaching a year old, many Springer owners are experiencing difficulties.
There are those that are aware that the problem lies partly in their dog’s genes, and they wonder if his talents might be appreciated elsewhere.
As a result, some people that have bought working bred Springers as pets, will phone the Gundog Club towards the end of their pup’s first year.
They are ringing to inform the GC, they say, that they are about to do the working gundog community a big favour by offering their wild and talented little hunter up as a working dog.
They have prepared themselves to give up the dog that they love.
They may well be in tears at this point.
He is far too good for a pet they will tell us, and needs to work.
On further gentle questioning, it is revealed that this dog needs to work so much, that he usually does it in the next county, and returns home at his pleasure.
Letting them down gently
The person on the other end of the phone will try to let the troubled owner down gently.
They explain that in fact, a working dog needs a far higher standard of obedience than a pet dog, and that a solid recall is the foundation of basic gundog obedience.
They ask them to consider keeping the dog and attempting to retrain the recall themselves, with the help of a professional trainer if at all possible.
They remind them that another inexperienced trainer would have the same trouble with the dog as they are, and might not cope.
They tell them the truth – that Springers like these, once passed on by those that raised them from a puppy and really love them, often get passed on again.
And again.
And again.
Unwanted and undesirable
The owners of these young tearaways can usually see that the dog needs an experienced hand and are unable initially to understand why experienced trainers will not be beating a path to their door and fighting each other for the privilege of adopting their ‘failed pet’.
The reason that their pet is now ‘undesirable’ needs some explaining.
The problem is that the many hours of training required to reverse the damage they have done by allowing their dog to experience the joys of self-employment, works out fairly expensive.
Most trainers do not have the time to indulge in re-habilitating an out of control spaniel, when it is easier and quicker to train a young, unspoilt puppy.
The bitter truth is – not only will no-one will be parting with good money in exchange for a delinquent absconder, the hapless owner is going to have serious difficulty even giving him away.
What can the owner do?
The poor owner may find some comfort in learning that this is a very common problem. There are many people out there going through the same thing.
It isn’t their fault and they are not alone.
It usually rapidly becomes clear that they love the dog really, and don’t want to part with it at all.
But they are at the end of their tether, and…. what can they do?
Well there is hope. And we will look at the solutions and opportunities for those that are struggling with their pet Springer later in this series. But for now, let’s look at another group of dog owners that are struggling with Springers
The working home
It is not just people that buy Springers as pets that get into trouble. The relatively small proportion of people that buy springers in order to work them can also find themselves in deep water.
And in the next instalment I will be looking at Springers that get into difficulties in working homes.
In the meantime there is something you might be interested in. The work of the Gundog Trust
About the Gundog Trust and the Gundog Club
The Gundog Trust is a relatively newgundog training and welfare charity. One of its aims is to reduce the abandonment of working bred springers and other gundog breeds, through public education and the provision of a structured gundog training scheme.
The graded training scheme is run by the Gundog Club which is owned and managed by the Gundog Trust. It is designed to be used by both pet and working gundog owners. The only difference between the two groups is how far along the scheme they choose to progress.
Pet gundog owners can use the scheme without getting involved in hunting or shooting. The first four grades are all run on dummies.
Training is a particularly vital welfare issue for our hunting breeds. Correct training started at an early age avoids so many of the problems that lead to abandonment of working gundogs.
The Gundog Trust has just received its charity registration number and is now preparing for its public launch Please help to spread the word by telling a friend about our new charity. Thank you so much!
Follow this link for The Trouble With Springers Part Two
The trouble with springers and was originally published on the Gundog Club website in February 2010. You can also support the Gundog Trust and its work by purchasing the Gundog Club’s Training Books.
And you can make a Paypal Donation using
the donate button below
All proceeds from products and services purchased from the Gundog Club go to the Gundog Trust (Registered charity no.1147407).
If you enjoy my articles, you might like my new book: The Happy Puppy Handbook
Hi, i just love your articles about Springers!
I live in switzerland so please excuse my english.
We have a Welshi. She ist now 1.5 jears old. And now generally well behaved. In the Beginning it was realy hard. In the obidience Clases we were the awful pair. With a springer you just look horribly stupid next to a german shepherd or a Labrador. We have a Problem here that is you can not go to gundog Clases if you do not have a hunting licence yourself. And this takes 2 jears a lot of time and money to get here. As you say in your articles i stoppt Walking the dog Quite early. We have childrens and when they were with me and the dog it was just horrible. The dog ( its a female and called miss marple) instantly saw i was not a 100% focused on her, so She was nice and occupied Herself. Unfortunatley this was ofthen not in a way i was ok with. Now we go exploring the Woods just the dog and me. This Works just Fine. She Never Goes more than 30meters away. And is focused on where i am. When fishing She Stays in the water at the Heel. I read your Book total Recall and this works normaly just Fine. But only when its just me and the dog. As a family to go out is still not god. We have to do it nevertheless, as we ofthen go in the Mountains or fishing and this As a Family. Its just when the chlidren are there She Takes a lot more Freedom for Herself. And this Last step to take the Training into the Family fails. What can i do? I keep Training when we are alone. I keep Training in the House and the yard. And there its realy good. But in the Wood with the chlidren it Falis.
I realy thank you. You articles have helped me a lot. There are not a lot of Springers around here. So dogtrainers are not so familiar with the specific Problems. In the of Need you gave me helpful advice and did lift my spirits As i did not longer think i was the only one with the Problems.
I have had 3 Springer’s in my life. The first one My ex husband totally insisted on, (Note my ex) He then refused to train it walk it or have any part in its life. I had always had Labradors and jack Russell’s and new nothing of a spaniels needs. The poor boy ended up entirely insane, he started shadow chasing and wanted to smash his head against every thing. I went to trainers and they shrugged, I went to the vet and they neutered and put him on epilepsy drugs, 🙁 I spoke to people and they suggested another play mate for him. SO we got another springer! My Second dog went straight of for serious gun dog training. He was amazing, but he couldn’t help the other springer. My ex rehomed him to a farm where I got letters from the new owner saying that they were making head way with him and that he was doing well.
My lesson was that Springer’s need mind exercise (as I call it).
5 years after his leaving I decided to get another springer, all children now at school. Unfortunately I got him at 15 weeks of age, I say unfortunately now as I knew nothing of the importance of the age at which you buy them. 🙁 till now!
He wasn’t vaccinated, so took him to my vet registered vaccinated etc.. booked him into puppy class, only to be told he was a week too old and would be to boisterous to the other puppies. So I booked him into another puppy class only to be told he couldn’t go as he wasn’t fully vaccinated yet. 🙁 So I booked him into the following class. They then changed the start date and forgot to tell me. 🙁 so I went somewhere else. he has now had a full session of puppy classes. Which I had probably managed to teach him everything myself from books and dvd’s.
My boy goes everywhere with me, and generally is at my feet.
My problem is this, despite everything he has developed a fear of people! his fear has become so bad that I’m getting to the point where I cant walk him. Everyone I speak too is telling me that it is because I didn’t get him young enough and although he loves all my family and friends, he just cant let a stranger near him and he wants to bite them! I’m now awaiting to see a behaviourist, but is their anything you could suggest to help with his fear of people?
Hi pippa
I have a 3 yr old spaniel we go on lots of long walks through fields and woodland the problem I have is that when he gets the scent of a pheasant no amount of calling him back via whistle or shouting him makes no difference!!!! He will come back but when he is ready which isn’t good. I’m thinking of buying your book the reviews are excellent but have I left it to late!! # can’t teach an old dog new tricks?? Your advice would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks
Sara.
Thanks for the wonderful article and this website. We have a beautiful young field springer 8 months of age. I had only trained labs prior to this and she was an obvious handful in comparison. However we met a wonderful trainer who helped us with obedience classes and was willing to teach us how to train the dog. 45 minutes a day 5 days a week and three months later she is outshining any other dog I ever owned and is hunting birds with me at not even a year old. I don’t think most peoe who get this dog as a puppy realize the time and energy expenditure they need, especially the working lines. My wife can run her for 3 miles and she’s not even panting. I try to take her on a daily hike through a nearby park letting her run around on the paths and the recall is the single most important training tool. A solid recall will keep the dog safe and the owner stress free. Thanks again for the article and website, I look forward to reading more articles!
Thanks Dan, glad you are finding the articles helpful
Firstly, I apologise if I’ve written twice. I left a post earlier but it seemed to disappear! Firstly, I want to say that this website is great and very useful. I am in the process of getting my first puppy. It will be a pet for my family (me, husband and 2 kids 7 & 9). I’m at home and want a dog I can train to be well mannered and that I’m in control of, that’s active, friendly, part of the family, not too big, lots of personality. I would like to do some gundog training as I love to see them doing the work they were bred for but don’t think I’ll take part in shoots. I grew up with working springers. Loved them. Great energy, loving, good size. My sister in law has two and they are fab also. Then I came across this site and now I’m totally confused and worried. I had decided against a lab because I am worried that they will be too much for the kids. My Dad has a young lab (coming up 1) and I can’t let him be around the kids. He’s too much, boisterous and hyper. He is absolutely brilliantly trained though it’s not that he’s out of control (working gun dog). Anyway, I really don’t know what to do now. Go for a lab or springer. It’s my first dog but I also know springers well. I am prepared to put the training in and will do gundog training – in fact your course and approach looks fantastic and I would probably follow this (have already ordered Puppy book and Total Recall). Should I steer clear of the springer? Please help, I want to get this right. Thank you.
Hi Kerrie, I am sorry for your lost post, we have just moved servers and may have lost a few comments in the process. Have you read all the parts in the Trouble with Springers series? I do address the question of whether or not a working bred springer may be the right dog for you, and it isn’t something anyone can predict with certainty. We can only look at probabilities. So much depends on the dog, and on your individual situation. Many working springers need a lot of supervision in order to keep them under control outdoors. My main advice would be that if you don’t like the idea of interacting a great deal with your dog during walks, and if you intend to walk in areas where there is a good deal of wildlife, then you may get into difficulties with a keen hunting springer. If you are prepared to manage your dog to some extent, and to teach him to retrieve and quarter, then you should have fun together. Good luck whatever you decide. 🙂
I have a 3yo Springer bitch who picked up last season but still needs some recall training in the presence of live game – it all goes pear shaped sometimes and I know it is entirely my fault for not reining in the hunting instinct when we first walked her out in the countryside! She had a litter this Spring and we kept a bitch puppy and I want to make sure we do it right this time. I am therefore working through your “Total Recall” book with both of them and results are promising ( the “about turn” section is going well with my working bitch). The 4 month old pup has not been out much yet as we have one and a half acres of garden / flower meadow (my husband keeps bees), so it has not been necessary. However she does spend an awful lot of time chasing moths/butterflies and dandelion seeds in the grass. Is this good, (indicating she has inherited a hunting propensity)? Or should it be discouraged or channelled in some way?
Hi Pippa, just working through Total Recall with my 11 month old Brittany Spaniel. Are they as tricky as Springers?
Hi Lindsay, I have not trained a Brittany but they are keen hunting dogs and therefore the risks and precautions will be relevant. Good luck with your training. 🙂
He is certainly loving the high quality treats indoors, and the jackpots when we are out and he crisply applies ‘wait’ /sit whilst on the training line.He can do some things really well and is happy to learn. Easy to forget without practice, unlearning will happen too.
Light weight gardening gloves do prevent burns- fab controlled heal yesterday.. took my eye off the target, and he spotted a bird.. ouch.Forgot the gloves, remembered the sausages.
We live in rural France where Epagneul Breton are common chasse dogs, bred to hunt, so I am working overtime, overcoming some sadly missed opportunities prior to now, and to be more aware of the consequences of his breeding. I have found your advice invaluable,very encouraging, to keep at it and stay focused with the plan, and realise we can succeed (renaming him Pavlov.)
In respect to previous comments …Here all LOF, (French equivalent Kennel Club pedigree) Brittany spaniels are docked at birth, as part of the breed spec. We agree it is sad to have to look so hard to see if he is wagging his tail, he was docked quite short,however, brambles and thick undergrowth is probably more common here than in the UK.
I need to find a local gun dog training group here.
I have a springer spaniel I am not an expert on him but I also have to cocker spaniels my springer is very good when we are out he comes back when called if he runs ahead and yr out of sight he comes back to look for you never been trained either just did from start I love all my dogs and they are part of my family my springer is going to 9 years old in December petrified of thunder although I don’t know why
Glad you have a trouble free springer Allie. He sounds great. 🙂
great article looking forward to reading the next………..out of interest….
We trained our first Springer from a puppy. She turned into a wonderful gun dog. We had a second from the age of 8 months and unfortunately only had one season out with my husband before he died. Our older dog had a lovely long tail and in all the years only snagged it twice to need attention paid to it. Why do people want to cut such a glorious tail off?
Hi Ann, hopefully this article will explain.
Pippa
I think a lot of the issue is also people in their 30s and 40s suddenly deciding to get a dog having never owned one before.
My first dog when i was 8, was a springer. My mum had always had dogs and insisted i take the dog to classes. I know own a rottie and a boerboel. Prior to them I had bull mastifss. Both my dogs are rescues. The boerboel was kept in a flat for 6 months with no attempt at socialisation. I have brought him on to the point he will pass a calm dog on the same side of the road without lunging. given that the breed are naturally dog reactive was no mean feat. The rottie, was in rescue because her owners found a rottie puppie an inconvenience – why i will never know. shes easy peasy and being doing agility with her from one month of having her. The Bb goes to agility in a solo class due to his issues. Never really considered that cutting my teeth on a spaniel gave me the skills to work with guarding breeds,but guess it probably did. all dogs need a bombproof recall and their energy requirements met by exercise and working their minds. then the problems melt away.
regards
Miriam