Costs Hunting Dog Training

Costs Hunting Dog Training.

Costs Hunting Dog Training

Mr. E. C. Ash, in his famous work, " Dogs and their History ", quotes a document, dated 1685, to the effect "that in consideration of 2s. Lawful English money paid to him one John Harris and of a further 303. To be paid, he would keep a Spaniell bitch 'Quaud ' " and train it" to sitt game as the best sitting dogs usually sitt the game ".

The modern Shooter cannot expect to have his dog trained on such advantageous terms; but when the trouble and expense entailed in making a gundog really efficient are realized, it must be admitted that the cost, in most cases, is very moderate. But it is essential that only a man of good repute should be selected as a trainer, as you are unable to supervise the puppy's educa- tion when it is entirely in the charge of another person.

In most places it is customary for a keeper, or other dog trainer, to charge for the actual " keep " of the dog at so much a week, and to ask for a further fee for the training. The cost of keep will, of course, vary according to the age and size of the dog—thus, a puppy should receive more meat and other nourishing food than is required by a fully developed dog, and a retriever will eat nearly double the quantity which a cocker spaniel may need. But the charge for keep should not exceed as. 6d. A week—unless special food is given to the dog.

The reward given for the actual training will depend, to a certain extent, on the length of time the dog is with the trainer—thus £5 is a customary fee for a retriever or spaniel which is kept by a keeper and trained during the whole of one shooting season; but if the clog is handled for two seasons, a larger sum will naturally be expected.

If you intend to run your retriever or spaniel in field trials, you may select one of the well- known field trial handlers to take charge of your young dog, and, in such case, you must expect to pay more for its education.

If practicable, when the trainer reports that the pupil is sufficiently good in its work to be re- turned, the owner should ask the trainer (if he lives within reasonable distance) to bring the dog back and to handle it during a day's shooting in which the owner is taking part. In this way not only will the owner have the opportunity to test the capabilities of the dog under the control of the trainer, but opportunity will be offered for the owner to observe the method of handling and the words of command practised by the trainer— to which the pupil has become accustomed.

As to the age at which a young spaniel or retriever should be sent to a professional trainer, as a general rule it is best not to send the puppy until it is six months' old—as the owner probably has a better opportunity to develop the physical well-being of his dog than has a trainer who may not be able to give so much individual attention, and during this early period of a dog's life it is essential that the physical development should be correctly catered for.

But if a puppy is born In July, and will therefore not attain the age of six months until the end of the shooting season, the owner will be wise to send his young dog (if It is healthy and well grown) when it is only five months' old, so that It may have a little experience on game before the season is concluded; otherwise the pupil would have to wait for another six months before an opportunity is offered for actual work in the field—of course, work on a dummy is a very useful substitute, but not quite the same thing.

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