Shooting Times & Country Magazine
EVERY DAY’S A SCHOOL DAY
Dogs mature differently but can they learn all the time
My recent article on the right age to introduce a young dog to the shooting field drew a mixed response. It ranged from one school of thought that believes that you can’t start too young, to the more cautious waituntil-they-are-really-ready approach. By the time you read this my sprocker puppy Emma, who will be one in March, will have been on two shoots. However, there is no possibility of her taking part: she will be simply observing from afar.
Like humans, some dogs mature much more quickly than others. Emma is not one of them and there is no doubt she needs a lot more work before making her debut in the shooting field. It is better to be patient now than to take the risk of ruining her. Christmas did produce some new experiences for her. She went to the Boxing Day meet of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, where she confidently touched noses with a number of hounds.
This was very pleasing, as all the spaniels I’ve had have been nervous of hounds. Foxhounds are friendly but it is easy to see why they are intimidating to dogs unused to them, as they are big and there is always a lot of them.
Our Christmas tree proved good at shedding decorations, several of which were collected by Emma. Encouragingly, none were damaged in any way, suggesting that she has a soft mouth. There is a big difference in retrieving a partridge and a Christmas bauble, but just like retrieving an egg, it is an interesting test.
Emma also received Christmas presents from friends. One, a large fluffy grey goose that honks when squeezed, has proved to be particularly popular, and I’m pleased to report that it hasn’t done much honking. Another intriguing present is an LED Fetch Stick, an innovative retrieving toy that we’ve yet to try. It is made of tough, translucent plastic, and has an internal LED light that glows brightly when switched on. It remains illuminated for 45 seconds before switching itself off but then lights up again when moved or picked up.
Complete with rechargeable battery with micro-usb connector and a three-year warranty, it is just the job for practising retrieving on dark winter nights. Quite what Emma will make of it remains to be seen, but it is an interesting idea that is likely to prove good fun.