How vital is steadiness?

I have a seven-month-old sprocker and would like to use him for beating. I have had varying opinions on how important steadiness is and when or if I should introduce it. He is relatively steady to a thrown dummy, but I have been warned I will ‘flatten’ his hunting drive. What do you think?

The level or type of steadiness required in gundogs varies depending on the job the dog is required to do. For example, in many rough shooting situations, the dog is not required to be steady to falling game and it is preferred that the dog will go for the retrieve with no command.

As you would like to use your dog for beating, it is less likely that he will be presented with falling game. However, it is possible that from certain drives he may be able to see the Gun line. Nothing enrages a keeper like a beater’s dog racing through the drive to go to retrieve a bird.

So, yes, steadiness is important for your dog, but there is merit in the advice you have been given about too much steadiness possibly flattening a dog’s hunting drive. Balance here is key.

Start your puppy by allowing him to chase his retrieves, using a gentle hand across his chest to hold him for a split second before letting him go. Slowly, over time, you can increase the time he has to wait.

Meanwhile, introduce him to hunting. Ensure that each time you command him to hunt, he finds something. As he is hunting, drop a retrieve by your feet. If he tries to go for it, intercept him and turn him back to encourage him to continue hunting. He will get his reward by finding his original retrieve hidden for him.

Repeat this exercise until he realises his rewards are not the falling retrieves, but the hidden ones for which he’s hunting.

Introduce him to game carefully and ensure he is rewarded by you for every flush. If the flush becomes the only reward, you may find he becomes a little more self-employed. ES

When training a dog to hunt, ensure that every command to hunt results in him finding something