Search Dog training session

[Susan Stone]

My setters have always enjoyed this search dog training and I find it an excellent way of keeping myself and dogs busy and active. We normally train in the forests but this time we were on more open ground so it was possible to take photographs.

send off

on the send out, see 'bringsel' attached to collar

Glen has picked up his 'bringsel' ...

...and is coming back with it to show me he has found someone

Glen leads me to his find

Glen working out a scent that he picked up above this rough ground

there he is!

relaxing together after training

the final picture:-)

[ursula wilby]

Great shots and great training area!

[Dee Rance]

Fantastic, I wish we had something like that over here in UK haven't heard of it.....Looks like you have had a great time, and well done Glen. Very clever boy....brains and beauty....a rare thing....

[Annie Cheron]

Formidable !!! Je suis vraiment étonnée de voir la qualité de travail des setters irlandais ! On attribue trop vite ce type de travail aux bergers allemands et l'on considère trop souvent les setters uniquement pour la chasse ou même la compagnie ... !
Bravo pour ce travail super intéressant
Annie

[Pat]

Hi Susan,
What stunning photos - lovely pictures and thanks for sharing them with us. How did you get into this 'Search' with your Setters? The dogs all look happy and are enjoying their 'working' lives.
There is more to our Setters than some people would have us believe.
More photos when you can post them.
Pat

[Carmel Murphy]

Wonderful photos and such clever dogs!!!!!

[Kristina Brannlund Westin]

Lovely photos and so very well done of you and your dogs!
I really must give you credit for working so good with your setter, Susan!

[Esther Siegrist]

Super Fotos Susan! und die grünen Wiesen ..... da werden wir fast etwas neidisch :-) Morgen beginnt auch im Engadn wieder das Sani-Training. Rucksack gepackt und Glenn + Jamie würden am liebsten gleich los .....

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

And "they" say Irish are stupid!!! Well done to all - what a marvellous cause.

[Marta Galuszka]

Great team and great activity!

[Susan Stone]

Oops, so many commments and question I hardly know where to start... Thank you for all the comments!!!
I've actually always done 'regular' dog training with my dogs and there was never a question of 'can it be done with setters?' as this is the only breed I've ever owned so had to make do with what I've got;o))
I dislike the habit of labeling a breed, be it positive or negative. To my mind they are individuals just the way we are, and one individual is more easily motivated than another. It all really comes down to 'how do I motivate my dog' and if I can find the answer to that question, the first major step is done.
Fortunately there is quite widespread selection of dog training possibilities in Switzerland and the classe are no longer dominated by the typical working breeds as was the case maybe 20-30 years ago. The search dog training is of course ideal for setters - providing you have a good level of basic control!
Esther trains her dogs the same as do a few other setter-friends. All you need is a friendly, human-loving, biddable and energetic dog, a group of like minded people, a willingness to spend every sunday morning in the woods... and off you go!