How to teach a spaniel to quarter

Why it matters

Quartering is the engine of spaniel work, covering ground in a controlled pattern within easy gun range. Teaching it well early avoids a dog that either potters aimlessly or ranges too far to be useful.

Set up

• Choose a field with a clear wind direction so the dog can be encouraged to work into it.
• Use a long line at first if recall and turning are not yet fully reliable.

Run the drill

1. 1Walk forward steadily and encourage the dog out to one side with a hand signal and a light word of encouragement.
2. 2As it reaches the natural limit of the pattern, turn and encourage it back across to the other side.
3. 3Use the stop whistle occasionally to check the pattern and reward a dog that turns in response.

Make it harder

• Widen the pattern gradually as the dog's understanding improves.
• Practise quartering into different wind directions.
• Introduce very light cover so the dog learns to work scent as well as sight.

Common mistakes

• Letting the dog range too far without a turn: use the whistle and your own movement to bring it back into a sensible pattern.
• Walking in a straight line and expecting the dog to do all the work: your own footwork helps set the width of the pattern.
• Quartering downwind: work into the wind wherever possible so scent works in the dog's favour.