I have 2 show cockers, (there are no working cockers here in Australia), I really wanted to try field trials here, never trained a gun dog before have no real idea of what I'm doing. Joined the Gundog club, found out they don't hold spaniel trials here, and would have to compete against the labs and larger breeds in retrieving trials. You can imagine the looks I got when I first arrived and got my two out of the car. With a little help
after asking many questions was guided into trying gun dog working tests first before attempting field work. I'm happy to do this we still need lots of work as this requires a soft dummy, my thoughts are that she is two now, and has never had a bird in her mouth (was shown a dead pigeon at last training day which she sniffed at and walked off, he backed away thought is smelled bad and wouldn't go near it)
As the weekend was so hot 41c let the dogs in the pool for a swim, she is a natural, thinks she is a duck puts her whole face in and gets the ball. Worked out how to sit on the step and wait for me to throw the ball then dive or throw herself in and swim the length, then come back wanting me to throw again.
He wasn't as motivated as her and I think his back legs get tired or something but every now and then his back end sinks and needs to be reminded to keep his back end moving or you sink
He is only 14months and a very quiet boy.
Will I have trouble getting her to pick up a bird later on? Was I just fobbed off by the gundog club because I don't have a lab or GSP, or Vizla.