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Mark Jervis · Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject: Spinone

My wife wanted a Spinone, so we rehomed a six month old puppy last year.
We've had her for about 9 months and use her for beating, rough shooting etc.
i hope to be able to use her for stalking. She points deer well.
She is very "laid back", isn't keen on water yet - that can wait for warmer weather, not keen on the flush - likes another dog to get into the brambles, and is the fussiest dog in our kennels.
But it is a lot of fun watching her work.
She doesn't like dummies, but will pick a bird or rabbit.
She will sit at a peg or join the beating line.
Unlike a lot of spaniels, she won't flush every bird in the covert - just points the first one she comes across, and will stay until it's flushed.
A very interesting breed to watch.

Helen · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the board Mark.

Helen

Mike · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:11 am Post subject:

HI Mark, welcome ot the board. I have a soft spot for Spinone, in fact my favourite gundog pic is the Nick Ridley one of the Spin leaping for a pheasant Cool

Have you any pics of your girl???
_________________
Fi 1 year old Weimaraner

Grace Weimaraner. Gone but not forgotten.
Harley Weimaraner. Much loved and sorely missed.

Marty_j · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark,
I was interested to read your comment about your Spinone not retrieving dummies. I have a similar problem with mine. She'll retrieve dummies or toys in the house or the backyard but if there's any scent about she's not interested in retrieving at all. I haven't tried her with the real thing yet but I hope that like yours she'll get the idea

Mark Jervis · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject:

Marty,
All I've done is let her go at her own pace, rather than try to force her.
I don't think that she would respond well to any intensive training.
She's very much like a shy child.
I'm lucky in that where I beat, she can't do too uch harm, although I wouldn't let her run game cover unless the 'keeper tells me to.
Every new experience was a terror for her the firt time.
The beaters wagon scared her the first time on, now she's fine and jumps up without any encouragement.
She didn't want to go into maize or kale the first time, but then she soon got the idea that iy held game.
I let her work to her own range, and don't keep calling her back.
I only use a whistle to recall her.
This is fine in covert, as she will work up a scent and come to point, but in game covers birds don't sit and will flush too quickly so I either take her out on flag with me or keep her on a lead until we're almost through.
I let her look for pricked birds if there is time, as our pickers up don't mind. She's also good for blanking in.
She'd probably be useful for dogging in, I may try if I get the opportunity this year.
Although it is nice to have a tightly trained dog, I really enjoy seeing her work on her own and use her natural abilty.
Not everyone's ideal, but I'm doing it for my pleasure and hers.
I have to say what I cannot stand is someone who has no confidence or trust in their dog and is forever shouting at it.
It's meant to be fun for all concerned, on the day.
With this in mind, I would not slip her without the nod of the 'keeper or shoot captain.

Marty_j · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject:

Mine's keen enough to work and is quartering nicely. I think by the start of next season she'll do me proud in the beating line but like you I'm just letting her progress at her own pace, she's only eight months after all Smile

OneSpin · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject:

Hello Mark welcome to the forum. Have we met before, maybe at the Spinone AA FT up at Derby early this year? There can't be that many Spins from Bedforshire.

Mark Jervis · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:01 am Post subject:

Hello, One Spin. You must be Alfies chap.
How are things?
When the water is warmer, then Melliha will be given some more wet encouragement, along the same lines that you told me about.
I have to say how impressed we all were with the standard of work that we saw on the day - far better than the shooting!!

OneSpin · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject:

Ah I was right then Mark it was you and your family at the Field Trial. I have a mind like a sieve when it comes to names.
When you start the water training you are more than welcome to borrow my chest wadders but I think you will need to talk your wife or son into wearing them as I am alot smaller than you and I don't think they will fit you.
Alfie has been very poorly for the last 5 weeks and has to be walk on a lead......which is very boring for him and me. He has an infection that has damaged his spin and we have to wait until the infection is cleared up before we can re x ray him to access the damage.......I hope it's not too bad as he loves picking up on the local shoot. But the shoot is a very tough terain to work even for a fit dog so if he is not 100% then we won't be able to work him anymore.

Mark Jervis · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry to hear about Alfie, it must be a real setback for you both.
How did he pick up the infection?
Fingers crossed all works out as it should for you.

regards

Mark