training for navhda test all parts of the training are down pat except for field work she wants to run wild and hunt on her owen need her to hunt closer and stay out in front of me and hunt any ideas . she is four years old.

Just reading through your previous posts. How hard do you work obedience? To Pixie Bees point - Turning on voice, and Whistle train can go a long way. Work it in training regularly (3 - 4 times a week), and the dog will begin to hunt WITH you (if it isn't already). Ranging, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. Dog needs to hunt at a range which is comfortable for you too. Ranging, with a failure to hold-point means lost birds. That's no fun for anyone.

I start with obedience (almost every day). When the dog can Whoa, and Come on command (either voice, or whistle), I start working Quartering Drills. I start in a field with almost no cover (so I can see the dog clearly), and work the field in a zig-zag into the wind. I can then progress to down-wind work, less zig-zag, etc. I live where birds are scarce, so when I am able, I get out to the club and plant birds (as Pixie also suggests). By this point, the dog already understands (Through daily work) how to work a field WITH me (quartering). "Running" into birds is just a natural progression of the training, and a reward for the dog.

If I haven't worked obedience in the field with Sadie for a while, she will get pretty rangy. I think some of it is pent-up energy. Having trained obedience with the whistle helps. I let her run, but if she gets out too far, I whistle her back. Usually within 15 - 20 minutes she has adjusted her range to where I like her.

Hope that helps, keep us posted!