Brittany spaniels are born with the natural instinct to point. This natural inclination stems from a process of selective breeding setters and other pointers. Although this instinct is there, you cannot rely on hoping that your new Brittany will know what to do in the field. That’s why you should look at the steps of training a Brittany to point.
Training a Brittany to point requires using their natural instinct of the puppy and, through positive reinforcement, taking it through a selection of steps. These steps include the ‘WHOA’ method, the ‘run and chase’ method, and the ‘whistle’ method. The Brittany breed responds to positive reinforcement.
The Brittany spaniel is known to show the natural hunting instinct you see in seasoned dogs from as early as eight weeks old. In contrast to the Springer Spaniel, which is excellent at flushing out small game and birds, the Brittany was bred to point rather than flush. They are exceptional at tracking and trailing game. Let’s look at tips you can use to train your Brittany to point;
How To Start Training Your Brittany
Recognizing your puppy’s natural instinct the first time it points is the perfect opportunity for the first training session. When that happens, a good idea would be to praise the puppy immediately and reward it with a treat.
Taking Puppy Steps – 3 Months Plus
- Have a good supply of treats
- Have a sturdy slip-lead or harness to help with discipline
- Have a puppy dummy and a dummy launcher
- Wear bright or neon colors
You don’t need to train with your puppy for hours on end. In the first 3 to 5 months, you can spend 15 to 45 minutes a day on intensive or focused training. Patience is the key to successful training because Brittany’s are exceptionally sensitive gundogs.
Your puppy will want to please you above all else, but they have a powerful instinct that can take over, and you need to be able to use that instinct to your advantage. Many a good hunting dog has been irreparably broken in the field by inexperience and impatience.
The Dos Of Training A Brittany To Point
- Be firm but consistent.
- Be patient and positive.
- Earn your puppy’s trust
- Train every day for no more than 45 minutes
- Give your puppy ample exercise outside of the focused training
The Don’ts Of Training A Brittany To Point
- Use harsh tones or shouting.
- Be inconsistent with training or commands.
- Use squeaky toys to train your Brittany.
- Let your Brittany get bored, or it will become destructive.
How To Use The ‘WHOA’ Command Method
The ‘WHOA’ command is probably the most crucial part of your Brittany’s training. This command teaches the dog to remain steady on the point, even when the bird has been flushed out and flies off. What you do not want in the field is a dog that chases after the game.
- #1 – After spending time in your backyard training the basics, you can take your Brittany to an open field where there are no distractions.
- #2 – Tie a long lead to the collar, wrapping it around the waist of the dog with a loop so you can prevent the dog from sitting down on the command. Let the dog lead in front of you.
- #3 – While walking, give the ‘WHOA’ command and at the same time give the lead a firm tug. Make sure the dog does not sit down.
- #4 – Your dog will look at you when you give the command. Wait until the dog is steady and walk around it once or twice, repeating the ‘WHOA’ command. If your dog moves, repeat the command and put the dog back on the spot.
- #5 – Once your Brittany can follow the ‘WHOA’ command without flinching, you can now move on to live birds.
- #6 – While still leashed, you must give the’ WHOA’ command when your Brittany points a live bird in the field. Do this until you are confident of your Brittany’s resolve in the field.
Using The Whistle Method To Train Your Brittany To Point
Using the whistle method to train your Brittany to pint can be very useful in the field.
- #1 – While at home, you can use the whistle while raining outside and when you blow it, immediately use the stop command.
- #2 – Create some distance between you and your Brittany, blow the whistle, and immediately give your stop command. Make your Brittany wait, then walk towards your dog.
- #3 – Now, you can move on to use the dummy with the dummy launcher. Shoot the dummy using the launcher and immediately give the stop or ‘WHOA’ command.
- #4 – Do this training with your Brittany daily until they stop and point instinctively. After the point, always reward your dog and praise it for doing good. Your Brittany loves nothing more than to please you.
Train Your Brittany To Point Using The Run and Chase Method
Although the run and chase method may seem counterproductive, it can help certain dogs that are late to point.
- #1 – Take your Brittany to a field where there will be a good population of game birds and let the dog run around.
- #2 – Brittany’s – like all hunting dogs – are driven by scent. Letting your Brittany run around and discovering these scents is vital for development.
- #3 – The main concern would be that your Brittany catches and kills a bird which is not what the exercise is about. The dog must respond to the stop command immediately, or you can leash them up with a long check-cord for control.
- #4 – Letting your Brittany loose in the field will allow the birds to teach the Brittany to recognize the scent, and the pointing will come naturally.
- #5 – When your dog comes into the point, give the WHOA or stop command. This will establish a routine for them.
- #6 – You should repeat this step as often as possible to allow your Brittany to gain confidence and trust. You can dry fire while training and gradually move to shoot the birds while enforcing the ‘WHOA’ command until retrieve.
Conclusion
The Brittany is a highly intelligent and sometimes stubborn breed that does best with a firm hand and positive reinforcement. Training your Brittany to point is easy and very satisfying because they have so much natural instinct already. The most important part of preparing your Brittany to point is to have fun while doing it.
