Top 10 Gundog Crimes

There are times when we, as gundog owners and handlers, wish the ground would swallow us up. Fear not. Here are the cures for the worst sins

- Janet Menzies

Of course, none of our own dogs would ever commit any of these crimes, but just in case you have a friend whose dog is a bit of a sinner, here are the top 10 gundog faults — and how to cure them (so that you can give your friend a bit of help).

1 PULLING ON THE LEAD

In at number one yet again, pulling on the lead is the most common problem reported by all dog owners, and massively exploited by the manufacturers of various harness-type contraptions.

In fact, the issue is that the dog does not heel. Look at it logically. If the dog is heeling, he is not pulling. So, rather than spending a fortune on bondage gear, teach him to heel.

You can teach heel on or off the lead. With a pup, start off the lead. Get his favourite attachment object. Like Harry Potter house-elf Dobby, pups become attached to their owners’ socks. Having first removed the sock from your foot, dangle it by your side as you tap your thigh with it, saying the pup’s name and the word “heel”. He will follow. Make a sharp turn across his path so he cannot help but keep close to your thigh. Make a fish-hook turn back on yourself. Again, he has nowhere else to go but close to your heel. The pup will become involved in this game and will start following you as you zigzag around.

You can use a similar technique when he is on the lead. Use a simple, cheap, slip-lead. Put it on correctly with the ring on your side and the end coming out of the bottom of the ring, so it naturally falls loose.

Sit up your dog, usually on your left side. Walk forward to your left on a diagonal line or curve, which is going to take you across in front of the dog.

He may try to pull, but you are already beginning to walk across in front of him. Keep walking across and into him, so he has nowhere to go. Follow your heeling exercises and you will soon find a loop in the lead.