Search found 923 matches

by Winchey
Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Preferred bell!?
Replies: 25
Views: 15997

Re: Preferred bell!?

Mike Flewelling usually has a bunch on hand at the trials for sale, none of them sound the same, you need to
find one you like.
by Winchey
Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:36 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Preferred bell!?
Replies: 25
Views: 15997

Re: Preferred bell!?

I like the Lion Country on windy or rainy days or during a trial when my bracemate uses something ridiculously loud on a short dog. Otherwise find a quiter sunkhaze bell or the Canadian handmade bell on Lion Country.
by Winchey
Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:05 am
Forum: Training
Topic: GSP pointing too close?
Replies: 7
Views: 3536

Re: GSP pointing too close?

Too close is another term for flushing the bird IMO. From the sounds of it the OP's dog was able to pin his birds until he flushed them. I don't think that is him flushing them however. To the OP, your dog learned how close he can get, if he is not flushing the birds what is the problem? He meant t...
by Winchey
Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:55 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: pointing
Replies: 10
Views: 5024

Re: pointing

It is always nice to have a few homers. It is relatively easy to build a 4x4x4 coop and blend into a small suburban yard. You can get a lot done with 3-6 reliable homers if you only have a pup or two. Most neighbours shouldn't notice half a dozen pigeons flying around once in a while. I would sugges...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 14, 2014 2:34 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: pup pointing to far off
Replies: 86
Views: 35946

Re: pup pointing to far off

Don I do train backing and steadiness on wild birds as well, I just like to do it on pigeons when I start correcting. If I am going to make mistakes, I want it to be on pigeons rather than wild birds.
by Winchey
Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:59 am
Forum: Training
Topic: pup pointing to far off
Replies: 86
Views: 35946

Re: pup pointing to far off

I pretty much only use pigeons for backing and steadiness. I can see how you could teach dogs to handle birds with launchers, but it seems like it would be very difficult to teach them how to find them, how and where to hunt etc... I think it is way easier to train on wild birds, you keep them condi...
by Winchey
Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:55 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field Trial handling ?
Replies: 19
Views: 8355

Re: Field Trial handling ?

In my opinion the less yacking you need to do the better. It takes time for them to get used to all the commotion of the gallery, horses, strange dogs, some guy yelling his head off, you will get to the point where when you are braced with someone like that you can just let him do the yacking for bo...
by Winchey
Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:09 am
Forum: Training
Topic: pup pointing to far off
Replies: 86
Views: 35946

Re: pup pointing to far off

+1 Charlie and GH. I would much rather have the birds within 10 or 20 yards. Some dogs have a knack for consistently pinning spooky birds right off the end of their nose and I find it much more impressive then several relocations, although a snappy relocation right off the dogs nose is nice. I don't...
by Winchey
Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:53 am
Forum: Training
Topic: positive only training.
Replies: 67
Views: 25033

Re: positive only training.

You can teach hold and delivery with shaping techniques and PR. If she has competed in agility at a high level succesfully she need only go over the steps of FF and replace the NR with the shaping techniques she employed in agility.
by Winchey
Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:07 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Grain Free? -- Maybe Not
Replies: 5
Views: 2599

Re: Grain Free? -- Maybe Not

It is common knowledge dogs are not strict carnivores. Raw diets advocate tripe, most grain free are usually just corn free, and have rice or pototatoes instead of corn. Corn also is one of the best ways to get lutein, an essential nutrient to dogs.
by Winchey
Sat Nov 09, 2013 5:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training High Strung Setter Pups
Replies: 15
Views: 5548

Re: Training High Strung Setter Pups

That is pretty young. I would take them hunting and shoot every bird I could for them this season, but that is me. If I wanted them closer I would try to keep them in a bit and was worried about their bird work at that age I would only shoot birds they let me flush. I would hunt them one at a time. ...
by Winchey
Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:12 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Dog Ranging far far more without bell, with beeper only
Replies: 3
Views: 1800

Re: Dog Ranging far far more without bell, with beeper only

I have seen that before to am extent. I would bet that the dog is just having an easier time keeping track of you without the bell clanging in his ears so he ventures a little further.
by Winchey
Tue Oct 29, 2013 6:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field Trials vs. Hunt Tests
Replies: 29
Views: 9117

Re: Field Trials vs. Hunt Tests

Same here, I have watched guys who's dog is being carried in a Championship scout an oppenents dog to the Championship.
by Winchey
Sat Oct 26, 2013 11:11 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Trial Dogs
Replies: 60
Views: 16229

Re: Trial Dogs

To me a great wild bird hunting dog and a great wild bird trial dog are one in the same. Although I would probably still consider a dog that was only lacking in style or animation, or was just a bit short a great hunting dog still. A great hunting dog does not really need to be broke to be great in ...
by Winchey
Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:06 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Simple Training Method
Replies: 41
Views: 14658

Re: Simple Training Method

This argument is ridiculous. Training a bird dog is pretty simple, if your dog is any good you just need to get it on lots of birds and gun break it. The books are good for certain methods to do things that are relatively simple to do anyways IMO. Breaking a dog is pretty simple as well if you plan ...
by Winchey
Tue Oct 22, 2013 4:37 am
Forum: Training
Topic: A misunderstanding maybe ?
Replies: 62
Views: 24370

Re: A misunderstanding maybe ?

Woodcock and grouse cover will vary from one part of the country to the next. We have a lot of different cover up here, from fairly open river bottoms and swamps, to cut overs and alder runs as thick as they come. Most of the cover is not consistent, but I agree some covers can be. The most consiste...
by Winchey
Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:27 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: A misunderstanding maybe ?
Replies: 62
Views: 24370

Re: A misunderstanding maybe ?

Yes, probably 4 or 5 days a week during the season and train on wild birds 2 to 4 days a week March and April and July and August.
by Winchey
Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:42 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: A misunderstanding maybe ?
Replies: 62
Views: 24370

Re: A misunderstanding maybe ?

So, you don't think that in a grouse woods the experienced instinctively quarters to find birds? I have never seen a great grouse and woodcock dog that didn't quarter for birds. On the prairie they may run to objectives but in a grouse woods, they quarter. If they don't they find precious few birds...
by Winchey
Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:11 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is Pointing Genetic?
Replies: 77
Views: 26834

Re: Is Pointing Genetic?

I was thinking about the counter example the other day regarding humans. We are selectively bred to an extent, it is just not often selected by someone else, the selection is generally done by 2 individuals. We also have a population that is growing by the billions, more money, better diets, better ...
by Winchey
Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:19 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to WSF Hunting question
Replies: 62
Views: 17735

Re: Steady to WSF Hunting question

I don't do throw down trials so I don't know if it is a no no in those or not. But the dog is allowed to relocate on their own and track in a field trial, they just can't bump a bird and can't relocate on their own once you have already committed to flush. Much more reasonable. I assume these are w...
by Winchey
Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:46 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to WSF Hunting question
Replies: 62
Views: 17735

Re: Steady to WSF Hunting question

I don't do throw down trials so I don't know if it is a no no in those or not. But the dog is allowed to relocate on their own and track in a field trial, they just can't bump a bird and can't relocate on their own once you have already committed to flush.
by Winchey
Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:10 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to WSF Hunting question
Replies: 62
Views: 17735

Re: Steady to WSF Hunting question

I know some pros cringe at the thought of certain owners hunting some of the dogs they worked hard on. It could keep you in business though lol.
by Winchey
Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:09 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to WSF Hunting question
Replies: 62
Views: 17735

Re: Steady to WSF Hunting question

Neil I have no idea what you are talking about, when did I say you don't need to develop them? And no Jim, they don't get really good at finding wild birds without hunting them on wild birds, they also don't get good at handling wild birds without finding a ton of wild birds. I don't really do many ...
by Winchey
Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:27 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to WSF Hunting question
Replies: 62
Views: 17735

Re: Steady to WSF Hunting question

Hunting is not always conducive to trialing and alot of times counter productive..... I really don't disagree with that. I have lost trials because I hunt my dogs and have them retrieve; they did move to mark more than some judges like and were not always 100% staunch when younger. And a delayed ch...
by Winchey
Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:49 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pointer doesn't drink enough. Any ideas???
Replies: 23
Views: 8954

Re: Pointer doesn't drink enough. Any ideas???

Mine don't drink enough when hunting. They refuse, I know they don't drink enough because when they get back home they drink a gollon each. I think they would perform better if they were hydrated when they hunt. Heck athletes hydrate before performances whether thirsty or not. I know if I am not fee...
by Winchey
Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:22 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pointer doesn't drink enough. Any ideas???
Replies: 23
Views: 8954

Re: Pointer doesn't drink enough. Any ideas???

Glycocharge
by Winchey
Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:09 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is Pointing Genetic?
Replies: 77
Views: 26834

Re: Is Pointing Genetic?

I haven't been around very long, but I have never seen a natural backer. I have seen dogs put two and two together very quickly that dog standing there on point = bird there and back with little fuss right off the bat, but are there actually dogs that just back other dogs that are on UP's or a sill...
by Winchey
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is Pointing Genetic?
Replies: 77
Views: 26834

Re: Is Pointing Genetic?

I haven't been around very long, but I have never seen a natural backer. I have seen dogs put two and two together very quickly that dog standing there on point = bird there and back with little fuss right off the bat, but are there actually dogs that just back other dogs that are on UP's or a sillo...
by Winchey
Thu Sep 26, 2013 1:46 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is Pointing Genetic?
Replies: 77
Views: 26834

Re: Is Pointing Genetic?

Neil I am not sure I am truly following, but if I am I agree with you. I am not sure if such a thing as a pointing gene exists or not, and if it does I would imagine all dogs have it. It is probably just a behaviour that has been selectively bred for and exagerrated through selective breeding.
by Winchey
Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:27 am
Forum: Training
Topic: A question on Boldness and Search
Replies: 12
Views: 4990

Re: A question on Boldness and Search

You tried to put too much handle on your dog too early and didn't allow it enough independence, the other one was allowed to develop on its own without a lot of handler interferance, it is no wonder one is more independant than the other. The roles could have been completely reversed if you had of t...
by Winchey
Fri Sep 13, 2013 5:24 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ANOTHER FIELD TRIAL QUESTION
Replies: 27
Views: 8521

Re: ANOTHER FIELD TRIAL QUESTION

I don't. They will eventually realize they screwed up on their own or they will never become a good judge anyways, nothing they can do about it after they made their decision.
by Winchey
Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:56 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field Trial Judging, Pointing Dog Stake
Replies: 68
Views: 20110

Re: Field Trial Judging, Pointing Dog Stake

I am not a judge, but I plan to be one in the future. I was running my young dog this last spring. She went out of sight over a knob and was out of sight for a minute or two...then showed to the front trotting back towards us with a bird in her mouth. The bird was dead but warm. My dog had broke on...
by Winchey
Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:09 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Field Trial Judging, Pointing Dog Stake
Replies: 68
Views: 20110

Re: Field Trial Judging, Pointing Dog Stake

I don't see this much as it is wild birds in my venue, but what difference does it make if the bird is alive or dead? If he was running up wind and ran right into a live bird why would he point it, and if it didn't fly he didn't get the opportunity to stop to flush? Anyways, who knows what happened....
by Winchey
Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:47 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Do we have any hope?
Replies: 29
Views: 10712

Re: Do we have any hope?

Same as what the rest said. Don't take him this year, have him gun conditioned properly and you should be fine for what you want.
by Winchey
Wed Sep 11, 2013 6:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Birddogs afield
Replies: 10
Views: 4017

Re: Birddogs afield

No, usually collar the backing dog and take him on when the other dog has a UP.
by Winchey
Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:14 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Why do we lionize wild birds?
Replies: 104
Views: 45983

Re: Why do we lionize wild birds?

I think there is merit to Ray's post. If I did not have easy access to free wild birds I would have never gotten bird dogs. I can't afford to travel a whole lot or use the services of a preserve to the extent it would take to make bird dogs. We don't have a release program either. Without easy acces...
by Winchey
Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:59 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Why do we lionize wild birds?
Replies: 104
Views: 45983

Re: Why do we lionize wild birds?

JWP58 Most trailers lionize wild birds as well, many trials are held on wild birds, including some of the most prestigious, the Broomhill and Dominion trial, The Continental. I think Chuckar has won a wild bird trial or two out west and seems to spend a ton of time training on and hunting wild birds...
by Winchey
Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: WINGSHOOTING USA
Replies: 68
Views: 21202

Re: WINGSHOOTING USA

Depends. Some of my duck hunts you're out at 4, boating in 30 degrees, then a shitty 30 minute walk through jungle in waders and 80lbs of gear, then getting the dekes out and building a blind. It can be pretty rough. That said I won't duck hunt without a dog, just not fun, If I don't get to see a do...
by Winchey
Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:17 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?
Replies: 36
Views: 11495

Re: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?

I am not really sure I understand what you are saying Neil.

I will knock down about anything I can for puppy his first year.

If an older dog I am breaking out decides to take a bird for a ride I am not talented enough to correct the dog and knock down the bird?
by Winchey
Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:45 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Soooooo..what is wrong w/ AKC Hunt Tests
Replies: 123
Views: 34261

Re: Soooooo..what is wrong w/ AKC Hunt Tests

Let me say at the outset, that I do not run my dogs in hunt tests. That decision has absolutely nothing to do with the format or the people, but rather has everything to do with the type of dog I prefer to hunt over and handle. I have, on several occasions, attended local hunt tests, mostly to help...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 7:46 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Just don't get it
Replies: 41
Views: 13148

Re: Just don't get it

A lot of people like to give advice whether they know anything about the topic or not, it is especially true when it comes to dogs. A lot of people also like to ask questions to things they already have decided how they are going to answer said question, and will argue with any answer they get that ...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 7:10 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?
Replies: 36
Views: 11495

Re: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?

I have just been going over some of these arguments about hunting and training in recent threads and to be clear, I am talking pointers. I also start very young, if I was starting with a 2 year old run off I would do some yard work before I turned him loose in the woods. If we are talking duck hunti...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 6:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?
Replies: 36
Views: 11495

Re: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?

I am not really sure what you are looking for, first you need to get them on some birds in the woods so they can figure out why they are out there so they start hunting, I don't teach a dog to quarter, I just want him to hunt, they learn from finding birds. Quartering isn't really useful for what I ...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:50 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?
Replies: 36
Views: 11495

Re: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?

Depends, real young pup, a couple months old, I just try to get them on birds, help them be succesful in finding some wild birds every trip out, try to knock some down when in season and they do it right, work on recall a little bit with treats and praise, work on keeping them in front of you and go...
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?
Replies: 36
Views: 11495

Re: What's best for a pups first year training or hunting?

I try to shape behaviour of hunting while hunting all the time.
by Winchey
Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:23 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Just don't get it
Replies: 41
Views: 13148

Re: Just don't get it

Who ever said bonding and hunting a pup is a bad thing? I don't understand why you have a chip on your shoulder.
by Winchey
Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Just don't get it
Replies: 41
Views: 13148

Re: Just don't get it

If you don't want advice don't put crappily trained dogs on public display in tests and trials or post stupid things on the internet. Wow!
by Winchey
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Just don't get it
Replies: 41
Views: 13148

Re: Just don't get it

Tooling you wrote a long story, but you didn't give the scenario that preceded the judge telling you to learn to read your dog.


And Gonehunting is an old retriever/control freak, they are a different breed.
by Winchey
Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Aversives
Replies: 8
Views: 4134

Re: Aversives

I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I am trying to think of positive reinforcement with an aversive stimulus to make a behaviour more likely. But, pinching or forcing, or what not is by Skinners definition, negative reinforcement. The removal of unpleasant stimulus to strengthe...
by Winchey
Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Aversives
Replies: 8
Views: 4134

Re: Aversives

This could be interesting. I need to think about it, and brush up on my retriever stuff, hopefully I will be able to get into this later tonight. Could be good.