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David Lisett
Complete Springer Spaniel Training Series
(4 DVD)

 

David Lisett is a famous Scottish flushing dog (springer spaniels) trainer.

It's impressive to see the quality of obedience Lisett gets with his springers. Dogs are intense, very fast and cooperative. It's fascinating to see him hunt with four springers three of which are walking at heel while the fourth hunts, flushes game. Sits on flush and waits an order before retrieving the bird. It is an impressive display of self-control on the part of the three dogs that are at heel.

In this series of DVD Lisett explains his training method from puppyhood to adulthood. He is methodical and takes small steps to make sure the dogs succeed. He builds their confidence and makes sure to maintain their enthusiasm.

Lisett uses a lot of verbal reinforcement and he enjoys petting his dogs. He also uses his voice to make verbal corrections. He also uses his voice to produce small noises to keep the dog's attention. His verbal corrections consist of a slight change in tone, but the noise level remains low. He uses very little physical corrections (some very minor corrections using the leash; if necessary he brings back the dog by force to the place where the dog should not have left).

His training is largely based on retrieving. He makes it so that dogs are crazy to retrieve a tennis ball or a dummy. Afterwards he uses the retrieve as reinforcement. He develops and shapes the hunting pattern of his dogs by hiding tennis balls close ahead of him when he makes his dog hunt. He encourages his dog to hunt near himself, to find the tennis balls and, bring back the ball. Since the dog is already a retrieving maniac, he performs the retrieves and enjoys it. Using this method, the retrieve becomes a positive reinforcement of the behavioral chain that precedes it: hunting close. Excellent strategy! Of course this technique could be used for pointing dog training.

Finally, he is concerned with the emotional state of the dog and shapes it. He increases the confidence and enthusiasm of the dog while building a quiet mental state when the dog sits waiting to retrieve.

These videos are very interesting, it is refreshing to see scenes of the English countryside. Lisett’s Scottish accent was especially difficult for my French-Canadian ear.

It is possible to get these DVDs in North American format (NTSC) rather than European (PAL) (Note: you can not watch the DVD in PAL format on a TV, however, it is possible on a computer).

David Lisett’s web site: http://buccleuchgundogs.com
Where to buy the DVDs: http://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/field-sports/buccleuch-gundogs/training-dvd-series/ or http://www.sportingsaint.co.uk/product/856/category/130

 

Louis Cimon
15-12-10