ESS puppy - ideas needed for stimulating games/training Training

Hey

Further to my "vets" post in the general chat thread I thought it would be a good idea to ask for advice, from people who know the Springer breed on games and training ideas that an 8 week old pup would really benefit from.

He knows sit, leave, out and kisses (that's just a stupid thing I taught him) but we're obviously limited with what we can do until he can go out.

He has a kong, several stuffed toys (including his best friend Monty the Mallard - http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp188/Pidge1/Woody/PA290017.jpg ), a rubber ball, a tennis ball, a tuggy raggy and a home made sock ball.

I'm going to draw up an itinerary tomorrow so all ideas much appreciated!

I think the most important thing you can do at this age (obviously aside from socialising) is getting him hooked on a ball or other favourite toy. If you can get him to the stage that he will do anything for that toy, then you are onto a winner training wise.

Other than that, getting him to focus on you (watch you), imprinting the sit, down, doing some puppy recalls, getting him to love walking next to you (to be turned into heelwork later).

A good game for dogs that like to use their nose is playing a 'find' game with them i.e. encouraging him to 'find' toys hidden round the house with a game when he finds it.

Have fun with your new pup. Enjoy the training, but let him be a pup first and foremost for the first wee while

I agree with Skilarki - you can't beat a good game of 'find it'.

Just to expand a bit though, I would keep a few 'special' toys which your pup is only allowed when you are playing with him. This makes these toys 'higher value' and far more interesting than their usual toys. It will be a bit of trial and error to find what toy the pup likes best (e.g. soft toy, tuggy rope, squeeky toy, tennis ball, rubber ball, dumbell.....). All my 3 collies have had different preferences as to their favourite.

But once you find the ones he likes best, keep these for training....when you've finished, the toy goes back in the cupboard.

Start easy (e.g. simply put the toy in the middle of another room) and then get really excited when he finds it, have a play with him with the toy, then take it off him and start again. Gradually make the hiding places more difficult, but don't overdo the sessions - always leave him wanting more and at the start, always make sure he finds it (with help) long before he looks like he is loosing interest. It must be fun for him.

Good post Hali - always leaving the dog hungry for his special toy is important. You don't want him to get bored with it through over-play, or being made to search for it when he has had enough/is tired.

I agree whole heartedly with everything that has been said about toys. Getting your puppy hooked on a ball will focus his hunt drive on something you can control. So many people have recall issues with Springers because they go off hunting and pay no attention to anything else least of all their frustrated owner, whatever treats are on offer. If a ball is the centre of your pup's world, you will not have that problem and the ball will become the most powerful tool you have.

How do I get him to "focus" on one toy then?

He loves to wrestle and tug with Monty the Mallard and Raggy and can spend hours making frustrated whimpers over a stuffed kong, but there isn't one particular toy he loves.

Any suggestions?

How about if you have a squeaky toy/ball that only comes out when he's playing with you. You can throw it or hide it, or squeak it madly! Always put if away when he is still enjoying the game, even if he does look really disappointed. He will associate that toy with quality time with you and get really excited when it comes out again next time. Once it becomes a high value toy and he's hooked then you can use it as a bribe.

Absolutely

if he likes tuggy games, you could also keep a special tuggy too.

Generally my dogs have some toys which they always have access to (and which they do get bored of) and some which only come out occasionally (which, even though we've had them as long as the 'everyday toys, they are still really interested in).

Thanks guys. I'll try that!

Hiya

I have cockers rather than springers (wife got her way afraid!). My experiences would be all that has been said above. Are you going to work or trial your pup?

One of the most invaluable toys / training aids I have come across when all else fails to keep their attention is a rabbit skined dummy. They will scent the dummy to stimulate them and simulate hunting, and retrieve evry single time

Best £6.00 I ever spent on my pups

Paul

Real rabbit skin?

We'll do agility with him when he's old enough and maybe some field work (we've been told he'd be excellent in the field) but I'm still trying to get my head round promoting the "dead animal" thing with him. I'm a veggie (but not a weirdo OTT one) so there are "some" things I'm not sure I fancy getting for him - liver, rabbit, lamb etc.

Pidge

He's not too young to start to learn "find it". If you sit on the floor with a large cushion on your lap and a squeaky toy. Get him interested in the toy by squeaking it wildly, then you can hide it under the cushion and squeak it to get him used to the idea he has to find it. Once he has got that you hide it under the cushion without squeaking it. Then under your legs and so on... Always stop when he is enjoying it. Before long you will be able to shut him out of a room and hide the toy anywhere he can reach. Then hide it anywhere in the house.

My 8 month old GSP is currently housebound and on dry pavement walks only, so is bored stiff! As I type this he is searching the house for his beloved camper van which I have cunningly concealed under a towel in the bathroom. He won't stop looking until he finds it

That was far too easy! This time under a huge pile of shoes in my wardrobe! Get the idea Woody ;-)

SO MUCH FUN!

My husband is currently sat on the floor underneath a large cushion, sporadically hiding Monty the Mallard! Woody is having soooo much fun! (As is husband I fear ;o)

Go Woody!!!!

Some great suggestions.

If you do decide to work him you might want to try and avoid 'tuggy' games as you'll want him to hand over the spoils in one piece LOL

LMAO! True! Judging by the state of Phoebe the Pheasant it would be a naff catch!

But I doubt we'll ever work him that seriously. I wonder if he might enjoy agility more, he's awesome at following your lead.

I agree, tuggy games are great for dogs to play with each other and both mine do, but I don't play tuggy with them. They know that the rules are different when they play with people. Ollie (8 month GSP pup) has a really soft gentle mouth, automatically releases anything in his mouth into my hand, never snatches anything and never puts his teeth on you. Freddie (2 yr old ESS x rescue) has a really hard mouth and wants to snatch, grab and pull. He is gradually learning to swap my socks for treats, but we have to unlearn some very bad habits first.