Training Spaniels by Joe Irving
I have a great deal of respect for the author Joe Irving, who I first came across in 1983. His classic book, Training Spaniels, still has pride of place on my bookshelf.
The Author, Joe Irving
Mr Irving had been training spaniels for close on eighteen years when Training Spaniels was published. Like many gundog owners and trainers that I have had the pleasure of speaking to, judging by the book, Mr Irving is very easy to talk to.
His style is straightforward, structured and anecdotal.
His advice seems to be considered and sensible; and he seems to be very careful in his approach to cover all the bases.
Although it has been some 15 years since I had a spaniel (I now have GSPs) I still refer to this book from time to time, and when I came across his new book I snapped it up without even opening it.
The Book, Training Spaniels
To give you a flavour of the book, it is filled with nuggets like this: -
"If after introducing him to the stop whistle, he shows signs of anxiety or uncertainty then, as in all training, you must be flexible. It is a simple matter in this instance to introduce him to the stop whistle at feeding times, together with the raised hand and the verbal command 'Hup'. In nine cases out of ten this will solve the problem. You may then incorporate the stop-whistle command into the actual training."
Now, if that isn't sensible advice well put I don't know what is!
One more for luck? Under the heading 'STEADINESS TO THE THROWN DUMMY', the following excerpt for training an 8 or 9 month spaniel to sit to fall: -
It is essential at this juncture to get him 100 per cent steady to the thrown dummy, ie the fall. It is really quite simple, and there are various methods. You may, when you first take him out of his kennel, proceed as usual to a spot where there are no distractions. Keeping him on the lead, make him 'hup', holding the lead with a bit of slack on it, and throw the dummy straight out in front of him. He will, as he has been doing, rush out to get it. Be ready, and as you throw it say 'Hup' in a clear voice again, as he is pulled up with a jerk at the end of the lead. Pull him back into the sitting position beside you, and repeat 'Hup'. Crouch down beside him, stroke him and repeat over and over 'Hup, good boy, hup' for about 5 - 10 seconds, quietly removing the lead, at the same time grasping him firmly by the scruff. When you have him sitting quietly, send him for the dummy with the command 'dead'.
Mr Irving is available for consultation
Whilst googling away this evening, I was delighted to come across a site for Mr Irving. Even more interesting was finding that if you have a gundog training or behavioural problem he is able to provide a personal evaluation of your problem with suggestions from his extensive experience. For details please check out this link: Joe Irving's website.