Most “madness” (bouncing, whining, pacing, creeping) is simply behaviour that’s been rewarded somewhere along the line: doors open, leads come off, dummies fly… while the dog is buzzing. So the dog learns: excited = access. The goal An off-switch you can teach, then proof: - still body - quiet mouth - can wait without leaking forward - can come down quickly after excitement Try this today (10 minutes total) 1) Bed/mat settle (2–5 mins) - Drop treats on the bed so your dog steps on. - Feed calmly between their paws. - Start with 1 second of staying put → mark (“yes”) → treat. - Build seconds slowly: 2 → 3 → 5 → 8 → 12… 2) Calm gets the thing (real life) - Lead on / door opens / dummy thrown only after one calm behaviour (sit/stand still/bed). - If they rev up: pause, reset, try again. No drama. 3) One calm rep between action - Spaniels: 30–60s calm → quick fun retrieve/hunt-on → back to calm. - Retrievers: calm sit while you handle dummies → one simple mark → back to calm. Common slip-ups - Asking for calm when the dog is already over threshold - Making duration jumps too big - Accidentally rewarding whining/bouncing by “giving in” If you want, post below: where is calm hardest for your dog — home, car, training ground, or on the line/peg? (That changes the setup.)

If your dog ignores recall when there’s sniffing/hunting/running on offer, try this force-free switch: Premack Principle: use what they really want (sniff/run/hunt) to reward what you want (recall). How to do it (today): 1. Put a long line on (set up success). 2. Let them sniff. 3. Call/whistle once. 4. When they reach you: “Yes!” + small reward. 5. Immediately release: “Free / Go sniff / Hunt on” back to the good stuff. Start with: 9/10 recalls = back to freedom (so “come” stops meaning “fun ends”). Common fix: If they come then instantly ping off: add a tiny connection first (hand touch or collar touch), then release.

Lots of owners see a dip in recall around 5–6 months, and it’s completely normal. At this age, young gundogs hit a confidence boost and suddenly the world becomes more exciting than you! Why Recall Drops - Teenage-phase behaviour - Not fully proofed in distracting areas - Too much freedom too soon - Repeating the cue too often How to Help 1. Use a long line — one cue, then gently guide them back. 2. Make returning rewarding — treats, praise, a favourite dummy. 3. Don’t let recall end the fun — reward and release again. 4. Start whistle recall — three pips, reward every time.5. Encourage check-ins — change direction often, reward attention. This phase is temporary — with consistency, recall becomes stronger as your pup matures. How’s your youngster doing with recall right now?

Gundog breeds, such as retrievers, spaniels, and pointers, have been selectively bred for generations to assist hunters by locating, flushing, and retrieving game. Because of this, they possess strong instincts, high energy levels, and a keen desire to work alongside humans. Specific breed training is essential for gundogs because it channels these natural drives into controlled, purposeful behaviors rather than allowing them to develop into unwanted habits like chasing wildlife or excessive barking. By providing the right kind of breed-focused training, you not only enhance their performance as capable and reliable working dogs but also shape them into calmer, more obedient, and well-adjusted pets at home — making them a joy to live with as well as a pleasure to work with.