Search found 433 matches

by ckirsch
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: CoveyRise
Replies: 3
Views: 210

CoveyRise

Many of you will remember CoveyRise, who posted here frequently and shared his considerable expertise with those seeking help. Years ago, he was one of several here who took my young daughter and I under their wings to help us prepare a dog for the NAVHDA Invitational. We'd not have been successful ...
by ckirsch
Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel build suggestions needed
Replies: 4
Views: 547

Re: Kennel build suggestions needed

Looks like you're going to have a beautiful setup! I have something somewhat similar for my two dogs. Inside the garage, over the dog doors, I have a ten foot workbench sitting along the wall on top of a mesh kennel that I had custom welded. Each dog has a 2x4 wood box alongside a 3x4 space in which...
by ckirsch
Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Memorable moments
Replies: 10
Views: 2028

Re: Memorable moments

One of my favorite moments was when my then-ten-year-old daughter ran her pointer pup in a NAVHDA NA test. When she released him for the field portion of the test, her pup took off on a cast considerably wider than I suspect most NAVHDA judges care to see. She made no attempt to reel him in, but the...
by ckirsch
Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:49 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: Mossberg SA 20
Replies: 6
Views: 3367

Re: Mossberg SA 20

You might have missed the nudity policy as well.....
by ckirsch
Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: Ruger Red Label .28 - Questions
Replies: 3
Views: 1602

Re: Ruger Red Label .28 - Questions

For whatever it's worth, my Red Label 12 has never missed a beat in the twenty-five years I've been shooting it. There are definitely lighter guns, and prettier ones, but mine has gone bang every time I've pulled it's trigger during the hundreds of hunts I've taken it on. I'm guessing you'd be equal...
by ckirsch
Thu Sep 21, 2023 10:52 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pedigree help
Replies: 2
Views: 2616

Re: Pedigree help

Thanks Ray!
by ckirsch
Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:08 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pedigree help
Replies: 2
Views: 2616

Pedigree help

Researching a pointer pedigree and am hopeful someone out there might be able to help. Haven't had much luck online, but before I send a hefty check to UKC, I thought I'd try my luck here. Would like pedigree info for the following dogs; Padre's Ma Bell Tallgrass Sugar Ch Arian Accra Ch Total Packag...
by ckirsch
Wed Apr 05, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Chasing Ducks and Other Birds
Replies: 11
Views: 4130

Re: Chasing Ducks and Other Birds

Lots of folks run their dogs in NAVHDA tests, and they're able to maintain their pointing just fine after being not just allowed, but encouraged to chase and retrieve waterfowl. Your dog will figure it out.
by ckirsch
Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:39 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: A bad day
Replies: 13
Views: 5602

Re: A bad day

So sorry Don. She sure was a pretty pup and it sounded like she was going to be a good one in the field. Never easy to lose one, especially that young.
by ckirsch
Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: My confession
Replies: 16
Views: 5308

Re: My confession

Please don't go anywhere, Sharon. This place would not be the same without you. Congrats on the new dog. He's obviously fortunate that you found him.
by ckirsch
Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:38 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

I appreciate that information. My lawn get fertilized once or twice a year, but the dogs really don't spend much time on it. No use of fertilizer to thaw ice that I'm aware of. Are there other potential sources of magnesium and phosphate? The one common denominator between my two affected dogs is th...
by ckirsch
Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:10 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

In the event that any of you find yourselves with a dog bothered by struvite crystals, I'll update the situation with mine..... I switched him from 30/20 food to 24/20. (I'd like to find a 20/20 food but so far, no luck) Have been using water from my fridge, which has a filter. Putting about three c...
by ckirsch
Sun Jan 29, 2023 12:11 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Update - my wife is a nurse and brought home some testing strips. Switched him back to a 24/20 food. I've been watering the food down, and adding a little apple cider vinegar and a cranberry supplement. Also letting him out to pee more often. He currently shows no sign of infection but urine shows s...
by ckirsch
Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:54 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training to back and silhouette
Replies: 12
Views: 3983

Re: Training to back and silhouette

Sharon isn't "wrong" very often.....

I'm far from an expert but this worked for me. I think CoveyRise was kind enough to give me the idea all those years ago. First dog went fast, subsequent dogs not as quickly but we eventually got there.
by ckirsch
Thu Nov 17, 2022 3:13 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training to back and silhouette
Replies: 12
Views: 3983

Re: Training to back and silhouette

I trained a dog for the Invitational years back using a silhouette. Drew out a GSP on a sheet of 1/8 plywood, put handles on both sides so that it could be propped facing either direction. Cut it out and painted one side roan and the other white with liver spots. Employed the services of my nine-yea...
by ckirsch
Thu Nov 10, 2022 10:32 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Thanks for the thought, Sharon, but we are on city water which is pretty good here. I also have an in-home system that is supposed to dissolve minerals in it. Not sure how effective that is. Apparently not enough to prevent the problem. Hard to tell what to believe, but some information I've accesse...
by ckirsch
Wed Nov 09, 2022 5:42 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Just reread one of my previous posts and thought I should clarify that my foot troubles are not life threatening. When I said I was running out of time I was referring to being able to get around well enough to still enjoy hunting. I didn’t word that post very well….
by ckirsch
Tue Nov 08, 2022 9:55 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Thanks for all the perspectives. Much appreciated. Part of my concern is financial. I’ll admit it. Eight or nine years of feeding food that runs close to five bucks per pound is not much fun to think about. Also, I don’t think a dog can hunt anywhere near potential on 15% protein. My other struvite ...
by ckirsch
Tue Nov 08, 2022 2:27 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Thanks Garrison. Shags - I was up late last night doing exactly what you warned me not to do, and researched online. One of those sites stated that grains caused the urine to be more alkaline. I noticed (after reading your post) that the Purina food had a high grain content. I’ll visit the sites you...
by ckirsch
Tue Nov 08, 2022 1:01 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll look into the Purina. We have a Kangen water system in our home that will produce water with increased acidity. Wondering if that might help. Also read online that a little apple cider vinegar can help. This dog is probably the best canine friend I’ve had, even if ...
by ckirsch
Mon Nov 07, 2022 4:35 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Struvite Crystals In Urine

My three year old pointer (Blackhawk/Elhew/Guard Rail) has had dark, thick urine for a month or so. I took him to the vet a few weeks ago, and found he had a UTI. Antibiotics for ten days. Took him back today for another urine test and learned he has struvite crystals, which apparently is a permanen...
by ckirsch
Tue Oct 18, 2022 4:45 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Outdoor Kennel
Replies: 8
Views: 3307

Re: Outdoor Kennel

I've had a kennel somewhat similar to what you're describing for thirteen years. I used powder-coated Behlen kennel panels. They still look ok from ten feet away, but on closer inspection, the spots that my male dogs repeatedly irrigated over the years are showing quite a bit of rust. I don't know i...
by ckirsch
Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:23 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Racing pigeons
Replies: 3
Views: 3040

Re: Racing pigeons

Had homers as a kid, but never had the opportunity to race them. My family owned a KOA campground in the South Dakota badlands, and when campers who stayed with us checked out my lofts, I'd ask if they could take a box of birds with them the following day to release. I'd put one of the little messag...
by ckirsch
Tue Oct 11, 2022 4:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Pointer Cold Tolerance
Replies: 13
Views: 4417

Re: English Pointer Cold Tolerance

I'm probably more concerned about my dogs staying warm on the long drives to and from December hunts than during the actual hunts. As Garrison stated, short-haired dogs seem fine as long as they're moving, but I take a few extra steps to make sure mine are comfortable while being transported. I use ...
by ckirsch
Sun Oct 09, 2022 6:03 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Pointer Cold Tolerance
Replies: 13
Views: 4417

Re: English Pointer Cold Tolerance

I've had four. One struggled a little with cold, particularly if he got a little wet. Not surprisingly, he was also had the best heat tolerance of the four. The other three seemed pretty oblivious to cold. That said, our western SD winters aren't quite as brutal as yours, and I'll usually stay home ...
by ckirsch
Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:03 am
Forum: Tributes to the Departed
Topic: To all the good ones
Replies: 18
Views: 26884

Re: To all the good ones

Sorry, Sharon. I can only imagine what it will be like to say goodbye to my final dog. Probably won't be too far off for me so I'm reminding myself to enjoy every second I get with mine.

I sure hope you'll remain involved in the forum. It would seem emptier without you.
by ckirsch
Fri Sep 09, 2022 12:32 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: S. E. Snake Prevention Training Q & A
Replies: 12
Views: 7566

Re: S. E. Snake Prevention Training Q & A

I ran a two year old pointer thru snake breaking before last season and wasn't convinced he really had it figured out, so I signed him up again a few weeks ago. We turned toward the snake and were about fifteen yards out (dog on a leash) and he just about pulled me over trying to go in the opposite ...
by ckirsch
Tue Aug 23, 2022 4:40 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Skeet/Trap + Training a bird dog :)
Replies: 8
Views: 3949

Re: Skeet/Trap + Training a bird dog :)

I guess I'd also be concerned about potential long-term impacts on the dog's hearing. It's one thing being exposed to a half-dozen shots during a hunt. Sitting through hundreds of shots at a trap cub seems like an unnecessary risk. As my own hearing has deteriorated over the years, I've become more ...
by ckirsch
Mon May 09, 2022 11:57 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog running out the door
Replies: 14
Views: 4782

Re: Dog running out the door

You're getting some good advice. I also train my dogs not to jump into the pickup box until instructed to do so. It's not cool when someone has a new Weatherby laying on the tailgate and a dog lands on top of it jumping in. Additionally, I work on training mine to remain in their boxes until called ...
by ckirsch
Sat Apr 23, 2022 6:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New member/EP advice
Replies: 6
Views: 2686

Re: New member/EP advice

I had an HTA grandson with Rebel on the bottom side who was by far the most biddable dog I've owned. I've never had another dog who was so concerned about making me smile. Ice set the bar almost unreachably high for the dogs that came after him. I lost him to cancer at seven, and have often heard si...
by ckirsch
Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Some things I could manage without.
Replies: 28
Views: 7015

Re: Some things I could manage without.

I vaccinate my dogs, and snake break them as well, but a dog can be snake broke and vaccinated and still die from a snake bite. A "broke" dog can get bitten while flying across a field, never having any idea it was bitten by a snake that it stepped on while running full speed Most vets will admit th...
by ckirsch
Fri Mar 25, 2022 2:26 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Too much tracking for young pup?
Replies: 11
Views: 4439

Re: Too much tracking for young pup?

Get with the NAVHDA group. I doubt you'll run into anyone who objects to you and your setter. I've been running pointers in NAVHDA for the past fifteen years with no problems. My guess is that most will be intrigued by your dog - I got lots of "I didn't know they'd swim / retrieve" comments. You'll ...
by ckirsch
Wed Jan 05, 2022 1:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH
Replies: 66
Views: 27576

Re: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH

Hate to see this disintegrating into a "my game is better than yours" debate. Tests and trial winners are indeed decided through judges' opinions. Sometimes it's better to have an outside opinion, as we are all a little biased as to the abilities of our own dogs. Great dogs can obviously come withou...
by ckirsch
Wed Dec 22, 2021 12:32 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: joint care
Replies: 27
Views: 8788

Re: joint care

Sharon - someone on here recommended Mendota glucosamine tablets. My older pointer gobbles them up like candy, and I have to say that he seems to be a little less achy after having been on them for a few weeks. Might be worth a shot.....
by ckirsch
Fri Dec 10, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dang only a couple of members hunt??????
Replies: 52
Views: 28148

Re: Dang only a couple of members hunt??????

The earlier posts about big coveys of grouse reminded me of an encounter years ago. I was pheasant hunting with three others here in western South Dakota, on a very windy late December day. I typically give up on prairie grouse by the middle of November, given that, as described in earlier posts, in...
by ckirsch
Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:28 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Where Is Everyone?
Replies: 18
Views: 4740

Re: Where Is Everyone?

I'm just glad this forum is available. I rarely post, but check in daily, and have learned a great deal from those like RayG, CoveyRise, and others who've been there and done that. I'm an admitted dinosaur, and do not use Facebook. Obviously a great concept but it's use to politically manipulate use...
by ckirsch
Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:59 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Thought I'd provide an update on this in case anyone else's dogs are having issues with pressure sores. I used Coveyrise's suggestion and it has worked like magic. Cut the panels down to fit over the plywood floors of the dogs' inside kennel boxes, and within a couple weeks they are pretty well heal...
by ckirsch
Tue Aug 17, 2021 9:48 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Pointer Tail
Replies: 8
Views: 3232

Re: English Pointer Tail

This is probably not what you want to hear, but in my mind it's unlikely that your dog's tail will improve. I'm on my fourth pointer, and none of their tails changed significantly from what they carried as a pup. I have one that is exactly what Shags described - his tail varies day to day, sometimes...
by ckirsch
Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Potential.....
Replies: 5
Views: 2492

Potential.....

This pup had me frustrated a bit last fall when he temporarily decided he was a Springer rather than a pointer. He's since regained his composure and has been very staunch on his birds for the past few months. He just turned two and I'm looking forward to getting him out on the prairie after sharpta...
by ckirsch
Sun Jul 25, 2021 10:48 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: Another new guy here.
Replies: 7
Views: 1861

Re: Another new guy here.

Welcome, and thanks so much for your many years in law enforcement! Keep us posted on your setter's progress.
by ckirsch
Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

I'm not interested in bedding for warmth - I mentioned that my dogs have access to insulated quarters. My concern is that they are getting sores on their elbows and hocks from laying on the hard plywood. My vet has plastic trays of some sort in the bottoms of the kennels in his practice, which are f...
by ckirsch
Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:42 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Another good idea. I could use the barrels as per weimdogman's suggestion, cutting one in half and laying it in the wooden boxes. Could put some hay in there, I guess I could sweep up whatever they managed to kick out onto the floor.

Appreciate the ideas....
by ckirsch
Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:55 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Where does one purchase marsh hay? How long does it last before breaking down?
by ckirsch
Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

The doors on the boxes are about six inches up; so there is a substantial lip, but the way the one dog digs at his floor, I'd still guess he'd distribute most of the shavings out onto the floor. Frustrating to want to make them more comfortable and then have them stymie the effort. Setters would pro...
by ckirsch
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Some good ideas already. One of the dogs scratches through the box's flooring - I've had to replace the plywood twice in four years. Wondering if he'd scratch thru the horse mat as well. Also unsure that those matts offer enough cushion although they's be better than plywood. Worth a try for the $60...
by ckirsch
Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:18 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Kennel Bedding

My two pointers have outside runs off the back of my attached garage, with dog doors providing access to the interior sections of their kennels, which contain wooden boxes in which to sleep, along with small adjacent areas where they can be fed and watered. The boxes' interiors measure 22 x 32, prov...
by ckirsch
Tue Jun 08, 2021 11:27 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Chuckar hunters funny.
Replies: 4
Views: 3758

Re: Chuckar hunters funny.

Who brought up bra size? Relevance?

I guess that, for decades, I've been guilty of insulting and offending my wife and five daughters by telling them how beautiful they are. How odd that it has always seemed to make them smile.

Shame on me.
by ckirsch
Mon May 03, 2021 7:23 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Stormy and Sis pup at one year
Replies: 11
Views: 4083

Re: Stormy and Sis pup at one year

Beautiful pup, Don!

I'm a pointer guy but seeing a dark red setter with that level of style and intensity gets me to thinking.....
by ckirsch
Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: No wheels on my wagon.
Replies: 28
Views: 10503

Re: No wheels on my wagon.

So sorry, Trekmoor. Will be praying for you.
by ckirsch
Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Carded quail.....same quick flutter but don't lose the bird
Replies: 15
Views: 4203

Re: Carded quail.....same quick flutter but don't lose the bird

I use the surveyor's tape with chukar. A ten foot strip tied to one foot. When launched, they'll often fly up to a couple hundred yards before going back down, so there is usually not much chance of a young dog running them down and catching them. When I'm done training for the day, I'll put the pup...