Advice for training two year old spaniel

[Thosesummernights]

It’s been a long time since we had pup, or did any training. Our two boys are now 15 years and pretty deaf. We recently lost our 14 year old Collie X spaniel through illness and so it’s been a while!

An opportunity has arisen to rehome a Springer from a lady known to my in-laws. Spaniel is two and before we fully commit (our old boys come first, if they aren’t happy then it won’t go ahead) I need some ‘eyes wide open’ advice.

As far as I know, she has basic training but that’s it. We would plan to do more, maybe gun dog training or similar. Our dogs have always had fantastic recall, and great behaviour about people and children. How difficult is it to train a two year old dog? What do we need to consider before we embark on this? We will of course get help from a trainer and behaviouralist so we’d have support.

I wouldn't think it would be a problem. Two years old in gundogs is still puppyish. If the basics are there, build on those. Gundog training is brilliant.

I've got 2 spaniels ... eldest is a cocker, and he's been in training since we had him at 17 weeks. Still ongoing, he's 10 now. He's got selective hearing and his prey drive will always over ride his love for me.... Our youngest is a sprocker and we haven't trained her at all. She stays right by our side on a walk, comes back the moment you open your mouth to say her name. So you may get a dog that just listens to you ... or you may get a bird obsessed monster who looks at you, then carries on regardless!

Pippa Mattinson has got a fantastic book on recall...Total Recall, which is whistle based. http://pippamattinson.com/total-recall/ and several friends have gone to proper gundog training which I now regret not doing. A 2 year old will have gone through the horrible teenage phase at least... and they really are the best dogs. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing your experiences - it sounds as though, on paper, she would be a good age to start advanced training. We have quite a few gun trainers around us but are there any other routes we could try? Not sure about agility?

I’m trying not to get my hopes up. She’s got to fit in with us, and we have to be sure we’re the right environment for her. We had planned to bring in a new puppy when one of the boys leaves but have to say, the idea of skipping the chewing stage is appealing!

Gundog training definitely. Join the ladies working dog group and use their "hot mess handler" course which takes you from basics with lots of practice and add classes.

Maybe scent work classes or mantrailing too?

I do gundog classes with my now 2yo spaniel and it's been the best money I've spent with him. It's a positive only methods trainer and he's a different dog with them. It's also great fun (the introductory class is called fun gundog) and fantastic for building a bond, which is probably the first challenge you've got.

Another vote here for the the Ladies Working Dog Group. Their 'Hot Mess Handler' helped me nail sit-stay with a very tricky-to-train young dog.

If you get this dog, spend a fair few weeks just developing a bond with her through play and games and rewards. When she loves you and you have lots of goodwill in the bank, so to speak, you can start training.