Im looking to get a hunting dog and I am seriously thinking of a Chessy. My question is how difficult are they to train. Ive heard they can be a handful and are stubborn at times. I dont like the idea of a shock collar so any information would be appreciated.

I don't know if I'm lucky or just have dogs that are willing to please, but I have had no problems with my two Chessies. In fact, every streotype that is written about the Chessie, just hasn't been true with mine. However, mine are housedogs and socialization (bonding) was, has been and will always be my first step to training a bird dog. IMHO, what a person wants out of a dog -- regardless of breed, all depends on what that person is willing to invest (love, time, exposure to birds etc.)

By the way, although I do hunt waterfowl on occasion, my dogs are true upland hunters, having hunted 15 different species of game birds all across North America.

I am by no means a chessie expert, but my pup is now 4 months old. he was impossible to train the first 4-5 weeks I had him, but now he is learning fast.

He is a smart little #%^&, and I think that sometimes makes it more difficult because he can be quick to figure out how to play me.

A chessie is a great dog, if you put the time in to train it. One thing you have to remember, be consistent, patient, and be more hard headed than the dog. I have a female that is 18 months. The first 5-6 months were easy, the next 6 were hell. I couldn't accomplish anything it seemed like. FF is helpful, but you have work it every day, and work it in good. If you don't it will all fall apart. My chessie is now almost everything I wanted her to be. Shes got a great nose for tracking upland birds, and is willing to bring ducks in out of freezing water and deliever to hand.

A labrador thinks humans are gods, a chessie thinks humans are their equal.

Oh ya, you might want to get a shock collar. My chessie tested me in every way possible and I had no choice but to get one. It's mostly just a safety in case they "forget" what they are supposed to do.

Are you sure about that?

Puget,
SOMETIMES I WONDER!

I'd take it a step further and say Chessies think we are below them, even though my wife always says my dogs think I am God. As far as FF and shock-collars, I used neither and wouldn't recommend it [shock-collars] for the breed.

On the contrary to uplandchessies, I think a shock collar is an almost essential tool for this breed. If you have a less dominant dog that obeys 90% of the time at long distance it isn't necessary, but most times you don't get so lucky. Most chessies are dominant and extremely intelligent and try to figure out how they can get around your control. By putting that collar on, you can discipline that dog no matter where he is (providing CC has been done and the dog knows where the pain is coming from). He/she learns that you are in control, no matter when or where. Also, it can be an reassurance to have it on the dog just it case it may "forget" or decide to get in a "do it my way" mood. I have went through all the training, including FF. There has been numerous times the e-collar has been worth it's weight in gold. Example, steadiness at a distance, "come" with distractions, and chasing of game.