Springer Spaniel Adoption - Is this a Good or Bad Idea?

[The_Jim]

We met him yesterday afternoon. He is a really well mannered dog. Obeys commands, never jumped on us or our kids, and has been hunted - just not much the last few years. His owner is just trying to find a home for his dogs that can give them more attention than he can anymore. I have 0 concerns after yesterday but If things aren’t working for any reason he wants the dog back so he can find a different home.

I appreciate everyone’s feedback. We’re going to adopt him. Should have him next week sometime after we get our kennel situation straightened out.

 

[The_Jim]

Got an update/questions for you dog guys out there.

That first month of adoption was a little rough. He instantly loved my wife(she is still his favorite by a long shot) and my 3 younger kids. My oldest and myself took a few weeks before he would let us pet him but all is good now. Were 4 months in and he is doing great.

Now for questions. I'm a complete rookie at this so any tips would be appreciated.

- We took him bird hunting the last 3 weeks of the season here. It was pretty unproductive as he would run like a maniac and then just lay on the ground until he could catch his breath. I did take him out a couple times after the season was over and after 30 minutes of being a psycho he decided to trot and hunt - so it did seem to get better. Any tips for teaching him to trot instead of sprint?

- I have a 5 acre green space across the street from my house. I've been taking him over there and trying to work with him. His recall is good and he returns to me without the e-collar. My son and I will try to work him back and forth between us by calling him. Is there a better way to accomplish this?

- In that green space there are about 50 robins at any given time doing bird stuff. He wants to point everyone of them. I'm currently walking past him to "flush" the bird. He will typically stay pointed until I say "lets go". Is this helping, hurting, neutral?

- Any way to get him to ignore cats & rabbits without screwing up his bird instinct?

 

[160andup]

Just my opinion and it’s worth exactly what you’re paying for it. Assuming he’s the setter as seen in the pics, and not a springer as the title says. I have both at the moment.

1. Might just need to get out more and get some guidance from you. Maybe needs some mental stimulation and it’ll make him realize he’s there to do a job, not just run. He might just figure it out over time.

2. Let him do his thing as long as he’s safe and not at risk of getting hit/hurt/etc. trying to micromanage him to quarter like a flusher is going to put unneeded stress on him and he will eventually learn what cover holds birds and what doesn’t. Let him work the quality cover and not have to waste energy quartering ground that doesn’t hold birds. He will figure it out.

3/4. I try to ignore the dickie birds, but I wouldn’t discourage too much pointing IMO. If he’s got it in him he will figure it out with time. Wild birds this coming fall will put it all together for him if you get on enough of them. Negative reinforcement if it’s a skunk/porcupine, sure, but some of these setters are pretty sensitive. Once you get him on real birds he will figure it out.