Brother Gordon Setter: Daily Care & Training Tips

Part 1: How to Train a Gordon Setter Not to Lunge at Strangers?

1. Begin by fitting your dog with a collar and leash. The next time it attempts to lunge at a guest, quickly pull on the leash. This should create discomfort for the dog, deterring its lunging behavior. Be mindful of the force you apply to avoid causing harm to your pet.

2. Once your dog stops lunging, gently stabilize its body and praise it warmly. Use your other hand to gently press its hindquarters, encouraging it to sit. Allow guests to extend their hands for the dog to sniff, and if possible, offer treats to help build a sense of trust. Always make sure to verbally praise your dog when it behaves well, reinforcing positive interactions.

Part 2: Cultivating a Protective Instinct in the Gordon Setter

1. Tie your Gordon Setter to a fixed object and stand about two meters away. Have an assistant trainer simulate an attack on you. During this time, encourage your dog to bark at the trainer, who should act scared and retreat. This helps boost your dog's confidence, and you should reward your dog promptly. If necessary, allow your dog to bite the trainer (who is wearing protective gear) to enhance the reward and prepare for reallife scenarios.

2. If your dog shows no reaction to the assistant trainer's simulated attack, stop the action and switch to a different scenario. When your dog responds with a strong bark and a desire to protect, the trainer should act scared and run away. You should then immediately reward your dog to prevent any potential harm to others.

3. Through consistent training, your Gordon Setter will learn to respond to these cues. Once your dog has mastered these skills, you can transition from tethered training to free training. However, it's advisable to keep your dog in a bite sleeve during training sessions to protect the trainer from accidental injuries.

Tip: For more articles on dog training, click on "Training the Beagle" to explore additional resources.