Was it a mistake to put in an underground fence?

I'm asking this because I took my 7 month old Eng Springer Spaniel out to a field to do some work for the first time in a while (first time since I put it in) and now he just runs back to the truck. Even when I carry him out to the middle.

He's fine in our yard and my girlfriends yard but not the field?...

any advice?

Put a 50' checkcord on him and keep it fun for him. Take a retrieving dummy that he likes or pick up a pigeon or two and work him a little. Take him on the checkcord out of site of the truck and then turn him loose. Don't lose patience with him. I personally don't think its the electric fence that has him shook up.

Dogs are location oriented. I don't think the fence has anything to do with it. More likely, its due to a lack of exposure to the field. This is when "happy timing" comes into play. Take him out to the field as often as possible, but do NO training in the field for at least a month or two!! You need to get it in your dog's head that the field is THE happiest place on earth, & this age is crucial to that experience. Make every outing fun, put treats out there for him to find, play, play, & play! Bribe him out there any way you can but DO NOT force it!

got ya! thanks guys.

As much as I agree with VV....I did see a buddy of mine's Weimy that never ranged too far from him after he got used to the "fence". I think you have to get back to the fun aspects of all of it for your pooch and he will come around again. As mentioned.....fun is the main goal.

I have owned Springers, two of them. I never had this problem, but it seems as if he hasn't had much exposure like the other guys said. One thing for sure I can tell you. DON'T start with a 50' check cord. Start with a 10' rope until he learns to stay with you and hunt and quarter the way you want him to. I suggest using quail, not pigeons. A quail will flush and fly a short distance. This will teach your dog to find birds in your range. A pigeon will fly away ,this will teach your dog to chase. You don't want that. To teach him to retrieve and stay legal you can use a dead pigeon or quail. Once your dog starts to range out,you won't stop him. Train him to stay within your 10' range until it is drilled into him that he knows that is his range. Then increase it to 15' then 20' up to 50'. You will notice then he will increase range on his on. I have a book by Talbot Radcliff from England. You can get it at a book store. Great Book! If ther is anything I can do to help you , let me know.

I too have a Springer. He's a large (58 pounds) -6 yrs old intact male.
Just a few comments....I have a wireless setup at the house to keep him from going down the driveway.
It works well because he hates getting zapped. He is also a dominant,alpha male but very sensitive.
He was zapped once while going to the dump recently (I forgot to take off his collar) now he won't even get into my truck when he knows there's trash in the truck and it's dump time.
For him not to get into my truck is saying a lot. Plus he absolutely understands if it's safe (no dump) or not.

I'm saying this because I honestly feel it does have something to do with the fence. Hemay beassociating the field with the fence and knows he's safe at the truck. Certainly speculation on my part but Springers are veryintelligent and it dosen't take long for them to realizewhat's in their best interest.

Two very important questions:
Has he spent time in the field before the fence was put up?
If so, was he OK then?

IMO you can't get much accomplished with a dog on a 10' cord. He will never be able to get to full speed and will always be at the end of it. This guys dog is afraid of the field. He needs to be taken out and exercised on a long cord first before you do anything formal with him. He needs to know that being in the field with dad is a good thing and that its not going to hurt him. You have to take small steps with a dog that is scared. You rush him and you will ruin him.

I assume that you have never trained a springer.

Enlighten me. Its probably one of the few dogs I have never hunted behind.