House training my Brittany

seabass · 10-19-2003, 07:46 PM

I have a 14 month old brittany that thinks the living room carpet is the same as the back yard. She also continues to chew on everything that she can get her mouth on. She is a very sweet family dog and loves to point anything that moves. This is a great dog except for the chewing and messing. I am looking for any help.

Thanks in advance.

p.s. My golden retriever would never do this

Chromaflage · 10-19-2003, 08:00 PM

Seabass:

House training: With my labs, I keep them in a pet porter at night and some times for awhile during the day depending on what's going on - especially when I'm trying to house break them. When I let them out, i put them directly outside so they can do their business. Eventually, they get used to going outdoors - make sure you use the same route everytime so they know what direction to head when it's time.

As far as chewing: Consistent correction. A stern, loud "NO" , a finger tapped on the snout. Then put something in its mouth that it CAN chew on. Another option I've used is a muzzle. While the dog is out of the kennel, put a muzzle on it. When it's in the kennel, take the muzzle off and make sure you give it something to chew on. I use open ended nylon muzzles so if the dog is sick, well, you know....and the dog can drink too, but can't chew or bark.

For what it's worth.

ORS

id. painter · 10-20-2003, 07:20 AM

I have raised Britts since I was 12 and Im now 44. You will have lots of chewed up items till they get about three . The only way to keep the pup from chewing up valuables is to not let the pup get hold of them.
at this age the pup is nothing but a set of wheels with a nose. The chewing will be exactly reversely proportional to how much you take the dog running.How much time you spend working with the dog is the best way to get the pup to settle down.
The last two I have raised have litterly chewed up shoes as well as wicker chairs and baskets , chair legs , a doll house , or anything wood that was left lying around when the pup s were alone . I have a family a job and too many other responsibilities,, is usually the main cause for a very chew crazy pup.
Be patient ,, spend all your free time with the pup running. It will take about 2 years for pup to stop. P.S. be proactive run the dog and leave things around that it can chew on.
The carpet thing should be over by now . My guess is that you havent been firm enough about what happens when you go on the carpet, a good firm swat and thrown outside. One thing that is very important to remember that if you have the dog fixed early, (before one year ) you can increase the likely hood that the dog will have bladder problems . Many dogs that are fixed early will develope a small bladder syndrome and not be able to hold it like normal. Vets wont always tell you this as a side effect of getting them fixed young.
Teach your pup to speak or scratch or sit by the door or somethin so they can tell you when they need to go. I hope this helps . I have been breeding and raising Britts since I was 12 , 7 generations of the same line. I love the breed.
Good luck. Remember, almost constant running. id. painter

id. painter · 10-20-2003, 07:35 AM

Oh yah,,, This is the single most common complaint from persons who have a Britt for the first time. When I say run the dog ,, I mean run the dog,, not just a walk on a leash to the park.
These dogs are bread to run a mile to a mile and a half ahead of a horse.!!!! They are a set a wheels like you cant imagine. Eight hours of good running will calm a good Britt,, for a couple days, only.
and they must get the chance to run!!!!! For the first two years you should make a real big effort to get the pup out as much as possible.You owe it to the pup. They will give you so many years of loyal service.
I seen way too many real great dogs ruined because of this.. It drives me nuts .. id. painter

seabass · 10-20-2003, 08:31 AM

Thanks for all of the information. She is a sweet and very smart dog. She is very vocal when she wants out. I think that I have not been firm enough when she makes a mess. We did have her fixed at an early age.
This is my first Brittany and she is showing the makings of a great dog. Another question: Do Brittanys do very well waterfowl hunting?

id. painter · 10-20-2003, 08:51 AM

Generally they are too smart to get excited over a greasy old duck , or goose . I have however had one that was an absolutly outstanding waterfoul retriever. My little Belle. Sad story about how I lost her.
Generally speaking, all of my Britts have been water retrievers unless it was a duck. Something about the smell. I could get my Ty to fetch up ducks, but you could tell she thought they stunk, and would go get them just because i told her too.
Actually , I have had 4 dogs that will go get a goose and bring it back.The pup " Morgan" will out swim a goose , (fast swimmer) and bring them back. BUT,,, This breed is not equipt for the cold water like a Chesse, or a Lab, BE VERY CAREFUL AROUND ICE and WATER in sub zero temps.
They are a smart breed and I can tell you from experience that they are easy to train if you are there to spend the time with the dog. A dog who sits in the back yard will not train so easily. They love to please you and if you give them the chance they will work themselves to death for you.Litterly. Good luck. id. painter

seabass · 10-20-2003, 10:32 AM

Thanks ID. Painter

I will be using the Brittany primarily for upland hunts and an occasional duck hunt. My Golden is getting old and this will probably be her last year duck hunting. The Brittany is getting spoiled rotten by the entire family. Even my wife lets her sit in her lap.

thanks again for the info

seabass · 10-20-2003, 12:20 PM

id. painter:

This is my first pointer. I have only trained retrievers. She currently is trained to sit, stay, come, heal and she loves to retrieve. She also sits and comes to a whistle. As for the pointing, we have been working with a pheasant wing tied to a fishing pole (as seen on a pointer training video) we lift the wing up if she tries to grab it and tell her whoa when she points it. Do you have any recommendations for a good book or video for training tips. Or do you have any suggestions. The dog loves pointing. She points everything from cats to a Neutria that she found in the back yard. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

SlamminKokes · 10-20-2003, 01:39 PM

Seabass, ive had Brits throughout my life growing up and finally have one i can call my own! I got really lucky with mine i think, I brought her home at 6 weeks, and she made a mess her first day in the house. I told her no as i pointed at it and took her outside. Since that first time, she did it once more and thats all. She also sleeps in the house on a nightly basis and will hold it forever it seems until i can get my lazy butt out of bed! My guess is you need to be a little more stern with your pup! Once you get past this, youll love it!!

id. painter · 10-20-2003, 01:39 PM

You are doing great. If the pup points , go hunt . If she understands the comand "stay" you should be ready. I try to never give too many comands while the dog is doing its job. "Come', "stay" are about it. It sounds like she just needs some exposure. You and her working all day together. Her instinct is strong and she will point when she runs into a fresh sent and you are close by. DONT LET HER flush.You should do it and say nothing.
There has been a pup or two that I had to really work with to get over being gun shy for people ,but they all pointed .Most have been rock soild pointers that will hold for 10 -15 minutes no problem.
Sounds like she is ready for some birds. Good fun. id. p.

seabass · 10-20-2003, 06:18 PM

Thank you id and slamminkokes,

My wife and I agree that we have not been stern enough with her. As we were talking the pup was laying on the couch looking at us with those brown eyes and my wife said "How can you be stern with HER?" Guess its time to train the dog and not let this dog train us.

seabass

id. painter · 10-20-2003, 11:24 PM

Spoiled is O.K.. Just dont let her (him) think there is an option to a comand. You say come ,,make her come. The age of your pup is important (14 months) she is ready for some serious work. This is the time to work with her and make her your hunting partner. Good luck. I love Britt's. id. painter

notaclue · 10-20-2003, 11:52 PM

I don't have a Brit, but we taught our dog to rig a bell hanging from the back door knob. When she was a puppy every time we took her out we would set her down put her paw on the bell to ring it and the take her out. So every time it rang out she went even if we knew whe was only back there to play with it. With in three weeks she got the hang of things and have never had a problem since. I just thank god that she isn't a chewer.

Keeper · 10-21-2003, 05:04 AM

I can't believe this :shocked:

You can control a classroom of teenagers [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] but you can't control your dog?!

I couldn't resist

seabass · 10-21-2003, 07:35 AM

I can send the kids home to their owners at the end of the day