has anyone trained a working cocker. Am getting one i'm training a springer and a lab at the moment, just wondered if cocker's are trained the same as springer's.

What do you mean by 'trained the same'?

No one method suits each dog, as training is not breed specific but specific to the temperament and drive of each individual dog.

Working dogs are typically high drive dogs so I would suggest a method that works well with the dog's natural instincts i.e. food or prey drive training.

erm in gundog training with in reason it is breed specific. thank's anyway

Think i know what you mean, a friend of mine trained a lab and a springer as gun dogs and he said the they did need slightly different types of training to get the same result, i would think a cocker would respond to the type you do with the springer rather than the lab.

I'm not sure of the differences, if any, in training between springers and cockers, not that I know much on the subject, they're far too quick for me to contemplate anything like that. I'll stick to labs! But I do know someone who has working cockers; their training, I believe, involves getting the basic recall and retrieve in quite early, as hunting comes quite naturally to them. Heelwork is left till last.

I can ask for training books/dvd recommendations for you if you like?

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Thank you i did think that but wasn't shaw

My springers best friend is a cocker Ruby shes beautiful but a no nonsense dog, there is no serious aggression but doesnt stand for any nonsense, when we was getting our pup in september her owner did say she wondered how ruby would react to the silly behaviour of a puppy springer Molly has jumped on her pinched her treat(we are working on manners)and chased her when it was clear ruby wasnt in the mood for chasing she has been wonderful its as if she knows shes a baby and has to make allowances, Bless her. Shes a darling is Ruby.

I disagree Doesn't it depend on what you want to achieve, and the individual dog you are working with? IMO it is a bit of a vague question... it would be the same as me asking, 'can all beagles be trained the same way'? I could be wanting to train one beagle in obedience and one in tracking... both sports will require a different approach, especially depending on the dog. No matter the breed, the answer will never be yes as there is no one training method that works for every dog.

There are individuals in breeds after all, again, a single training approach will not work for each dog. Each dog, even within a single breed, will have different drives, nerves, temperament etc - training is not and never should be breed specific.

Definitely - some breeds are more known for their drives and you can do all you can to pick a dog appropriate for the work or sport you want to do. But as any experienced trainer will tell you, breeding alone is not enough to determine the specific character of your dog... there will be different characters and temps within each litter etc. It really does depend on the dog.


ETA: I don't know any lab, springer or cocker breeder who will tell you that each breed requires the same approach training wise or that they are the same to train. They are all gundogs, but are still very different breeds!!

that's what i said thank's any way

that would be great thank's. got load's on springer's and lab's. we will be going to a trainer but just wondered.