Search found 91 matches

by helpful_cub
Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:38 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 1st puppy ever...GSP...need advice!!!
Replies: 23
Views: 7797

Re: 1st puppy ever...GSP...need advice!!!

Take your time on the hunt training in my opinion. Your pup won't be ready before the end of this season, so you don't have to rush it and risk messing the puppy up (to much pressure). Socialize him and get him use to your family. Play with him and work basic obedience. Let him play hunting games ou...
by helpful_cub
Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:14 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues
Replies: 11
Views: 4987

Re: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues

kninebirddog wrote:Did the bird look like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Snipe
Yes, that's the bird! I finally know what it was. :D
by helpful_cub
Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:32 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues
Replies: 11
Views: 4987

Re: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues

NAVHDA chapter also meets at san jaciento...... kinda know some people in the club and would be happy to talk to them about their attitudes. Do you remember who it was that made those comments to you? I know a got that has a UT-1 dog that's more of field lines and he's wanting to check out trials.....
by helpful_cub
Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:55 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues
Replies: 11
Views: 4987

Re: Looking for training partners at Prado or Rahaagues

I am new to the board and of course new to training. I was just wondering if anybody meets at any of these locations with young pups on the weekends? I have a young Brittany that I would like to introduce to birds and thought it would be heplful if others would like to do the same. I am located in ...
by helpful_cub
Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:22 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Food/Diarrhea Help
Replies: 42
Views: 10540

Re: Food/Diarrhea Help

A few months back my GSP has some issues like you were discribing. I switched him to low fat low sodium chicken broth for a couple of days to help him clear his system out. After that, he went back to normal feed and he was back to his old self.
by helpful_cub
Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:10 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Sam's Dog Food
Replies: 44
Views: 11277

Re: Sam's Dog Food

Inspired by this thread I switched my GSP to Exceed 30% chicken/rice about a week ago. He was on Nutro high energy. Observations: -Fair amount cheaper. Exceed was ~$30 for 44 lbs while the Nutro was around $45 for 35 lbs. -My GSP was obsessed with getting at the Exceed food. He was way more interest...
by helpful_cub
Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:47 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Cold weather hunts
Replies: 18
Views: 6544

Re: Cold weather hunts

I discovered that due to my GSP's mostly black coat, he self dries and solar heats really well. Plus he runs even faster the colder it gets. I haven't really found a limit to "how cold" he can tolerate. I know its lower than what I want to tolerate which is around freezing... He is a blanket mole in...
by helpful_cub
Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:41 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Big jumping problem
Replies: 20
Views: 5081

Re: Big jumping problem

When they jump rotate your body away from them, tell them "no" or "down" and stop giving attention. Once they're on all 4s then you can praise and pet them. They'll get it figured out eventually.
by helpful_cub
Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP's at the dog park
Replies: 14
Views: 5641

Re: GSP's at the dog park

My boy loves Greyhounds, Sheep dogs, and other Pointers. Basically anything that actually runs, he's game to play with. The others he tends to ignore. Typically he lasts 3 hours at the dog park until he gets bored. Its not a matter of getting worn out. Plus, all of the dogs he plays with tend to wea...
by helpful_cub
Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:16 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: whats your priority, hunting dog or family dog??
Replies: 64
Views: 14414

Re: whats your priority, hunting dog or family dog??

I've been working a lot with SoCal GSP Rescue. As far as I know, I'm the only hunter in the group so I end up fielding the questions from the new guys looking to get their first gun dog. From the Rescue's perspective all dogs are family dogs first. They're not adopting out hunters, they're finding f...
by helpful_cub
Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:49 am
Forum: Guns and Ammo
Topic: Black Friday Sales
Replies: 1
Views: 2151

Black Friday Sales

I ran across this Black Friday ad and thought some of you may be interested. Walmart is selling their 100-packs of shot shell for $18 before tax on Friday.

http://bfads.net/Walmart-Black-Friday-W ... Load-100pk

Anyone else find some good deals?
by helpful_cub
Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: question stemming from wishlist thread
Replies: 20
Views: 6023

Re: question stemming from wishlist thread

Ok, that all makes sense. I'll hold off on shooting bumps. What about missed finds that flush? I'm trying to come up with a negative outcome of shooting those and I can't. The general thought I try to use is if the dog doesn't point it, he doesn't get to retrieve it. So shoot it if you want, but yo...
by helpful_cub
Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: question stemming from wishlist thread
Replies: 20
Views: 6023

Re: question stemming from wishlist thread

I always try to look at it from the dog's perspective.... "If I chase a bird up on the air, the big guy over there with the "thunderstick" knocks it down where I can get my mouth on it!!!" I agree with this thinking. My Pointer was running with flushers and started to break and dive into brush beca...
by helpful_cub
Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:58 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Doggy wish list
Replies: 39
Views: 7968

Re: Doggy wish list

Wish list:

1. Training on how to ride a horse
2. An Icelandic horse - for trials and hunting Wilderness Land
3. Dog box for the truck so I can take more than one dog
4. Maybe another GSP or an EP
by helpful_cub
Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:23 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Warmer Gloves
Replies: 13
Views: 4218

Re: Warmer Gloves

I got some nice gloves from Gander Mountain. They were camo with gore-tex insulation in them. Then the index finger was thinner material so you could feel the trigger. So something like that may be what your looking for.
by helpful_cub
Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:07 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Ca. Phez hunt
Replies: 18
Views: 6578

Re: Ca. Phez hunt

Awesome story. My pup is still trying to figure out pheasant. He points but doesn't know why they run away. Chukar and Quail both sit still for him! Congrads on a rescue, if your feeling evil go hunt test or field trial him. I get the oddest looks from Judges and breeders when I tell them I have a r...
by helpful_cub
Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:57 pm
Forum: Legislation & Hunting Rights
Topic: Obama pushing shooters off public lands
Replies: 18
Views: 16672

Re: Obama pushing shooters off public lands

Darn it. Deer usually aren't found on BLM land (they like forrest) but lots of upland birds are. So this is really focused on us. :evil:
by helpful_cub
Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:48 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Whistle preferences
Replies: 7
Views: 2569

Re: Whistle preferences

I've had good luck with a plastic non-pee survival whistle from Walmart. They're loud, cheap, and since there's no pee inside, it can't be frozen to the side of the whistle making it worthless in cold, wet conditions. I haven't used a silent whistle before, so I can't comment on them. http://www.wal...
by helpful_cub
Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:48 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Exercise intolerance?
Replies: 19
Views: 8493

Re: Exercise intolerance?

Does he recover quickly afterword or is basically a tired ball of fur for a couple of days?
by helpful_cub
Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:50 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Schedule
Replies: 5
Views: 2399

Re: Training Schedule

I hate to say it but, it takes how ever long it takes. Some people like to train in a certain order and work up to doing complex tasks like water retrieving or following hand signals while hunting a field. The more time you spend with the dog and the more fun you make it for them, the faster they wi...
by helpful_cub
Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:11 pm
Forum: Polls
Topic: Compete, test/hunting
Replies: 3
Views: 5848

Re: Compete, test/hunting

This is my boy's first hunting season, we trained all Spring for it. After January, when the hunt season ends, we'll probably do testing just to fill the time and keep him from getting bored. I already know he can hunt, so testing is just practice without real guns.
by helpful_cub
Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:54 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Breed Comparison
Replies: 4
Views: 1967

Re: Breed Comparison

I have both and have had both for many years. would say the shorthair would be the jack of all trades. We take her out for dove, quail, pheasant, and i know she could do waterfowl. Downside she could never keep up with my pointers when it comes to speed or endurance. My english pointers only go out...
by helpful_cub
Sun Nov 06, 2011 12:55 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Long day hunting ideas?
Replies: 18
Views: 7673

Re: Long day hunting ideas?

So far I've been having success with the water cooled vest suggested above. The main downside is that it drys really fast and needs constant replenishment to keep it cooling. I guess that's a small price to pay to keep the dog happy and hunting. My dog was in-between two size ranges so I took the we...
by helpful_cub
Sun Nov 06, 2011 12:44 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Combination safety vest/skid plate
Replies: 9
Views: 5861

Re: Combination safety vest/skid plate

Depends on what your dog is running in. I know if its 50 degrees or cooler than my dog doesn't really care what I put on him as long as he can move freely. When it gets hotter than that you'll need to look for alternatives. I've been trying out a water soaked dog vest, there have been other threads ...
by helpful_cub
Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Younger hunters?
Replies: 38
Views: 8626

Re: Younger hunters?

I usually get strange looks from people when they find out I'm a hunter. I'm guessing the ultra-liberals don't like that idea because I'm killing fuzzy woodland creatures or because I own a gun. I even had a girl I was dating, who was really interested in my GSP break up with me when she found out I...
by helpful_cub
Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:06 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Puppy Demand.
Replies: 16
Views: 5056

Re: Puppy Demand.

It's combination of things I think. Most people who want a dog don't hunt. So any dog will do, including a mutt from the pound. But for those that much have an English Pointer, GSP, etc there are Rescues available that let them get a dog for a much cheaper price. Since they don't hunt, they don't ca...
by helpful_cub
Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New Hobbie For My Dog! WTH!
Replies: 9
Views: 2753

Re: New Hobbie For My Dog! WTH!

I wonder if he'll retrieve those water bound golf balls too?
by helpful_cub
Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:25 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Any LA area hunters on this site?
Replies: 15
Views: 5079

Re: Any LA area hunters on this site?

I'm getting a pup in the next month or so. I'm leaning towards a GSP but have not ruled out an EP... GSP worked out for me. He helps me track big game, loves pointing bird and seems to love water retrieving. I may never duck hunt, but it's nice to know he likes it and has the huge mouth for it. Fro...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Manners: chewing, whining in kennel, and growling
Replies: 7
Views: 3861

Re: Manners: chewing, whining in kennel, and growling

For the chewing you really need stuff that he is allowed to chew on. My boy loves bones and pig ears. He was a chew-a-holic until he hit 18-months and finally mellowed out a lot. It mainly has to do with growing from puppy teeth/mouth to adult. So yes he does need to chew. Just make sure its on some...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:57 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Any LA area hunters on this site?
Replies: 15
Views: 5079

Re: Any LA area hunters on this site?

I know where you can buy 10 chukar for $80.00 plant them yourself and shoot them.. or 10 pigeons for 30. There is a lot of training land in the inland empire and someone just showed me another track with a guzzler.. and its less then 10 min from my house. My friend! Do share more details please. :m...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:52 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: No birds to be had here anymore.
Replies: 3
Views: 1988

Re: No birds to be had here anymore.

Get maps and start looking for new locations. I started applying the formula of water, food, cover to my map reading and I've been some what successful at finding new areas that others don't frequent very often. Even if you have a favorite spot, move off it and spend time checking out new locations ...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Any LA area hunters on this site?
Replies: 15
Views: 5079

Re: Any LA area hunters on this site?

I'm looking to do some upland bird hunting. I dont mind driving, as I do a lot of it already to ride motocross. I'm looking forward to checking out the GSP hunt tests in Rosamond at the end of the month. I'm in Woodland hills btw... I'm kind of envyous because your so close to Los Padres and the be...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:42 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: tick problem
Replies: 5
Views: 1684

Re: tick problem

Adams works well to kill before they dig also. It only lasts about 9-days but it also kills on contact so its handy for cleaning up and you can just spray it on. http://www.amazon.com/Adams-Flea-Tick-Mist-32/dp/B00063KN08 Oddly enough, I also use it on my goats before sending them into thick shrubs ...
by helpful_cub
Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Any LA area hunters on this site?
Replies: 15
Views: 5079

Re: Any LA area hunters on this site?

I'm new to this hobby. I'm planning on joining the Socal chapter of NAVHDA to learn and meet people, but i'm curious to know about local hunting spots in the Los Angeles area and the people who hunt them. Thanks guys.. First of all the NAVHDA won't have anything to do with you unless your dog is pa...
by helpful_cub
Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:16 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Long day hunting ideas?
Replies: 18
Views: 7673

Re: Long day hunting ideas?

He's definitely getting a workout. Today I took advantage our location and did morning hunting until about 10:30am in the desert. Then we packed up and headed for higher elevations. Around 7000 feet its nice and cool with the occasional Mountain Quail. Expensive on the gas though.
by helpful_cub
Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Wild Bird Help
Replies: 6
Views: 2170

Re: Wild Bird Help

I originally "broke" mine with an overload of wild birds. At Prado dog park in Chino, CA we stumbled on a few dozen woodcock minding their own business in a muddy field. I let him run and run until he was so tired he would start listening to me. It also taught him, if I'm not there, he won't be catc...
by helpful_cub
Sun Oct 16, 2011 11:51 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Long day hunting ideas?
Replies: 18
Views: 7673

Re: Long day hunting ideas?

What lines are you GSP from anyway? Honestly I'm not sure. His puppy registration number is: SR59190104. I should quit being lazy and actually mail his AKC paperwork in. He hunts, is occasionally loveable and mostly mindful, so he works for me. I wonder if using something like "Rehydrate" in his wa...
by helpful_cub
Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:21 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Long day hunting ideas?
Replies: 18
Views: 7673

Long day hunting ideas?

So I kick off opening quail season day in field with 4 other guys and my one GSP. So for whatever reason the birds were flushing 50+ yards out and not even giving my little guy a chance to sniff and point. Anyways, so we break at 9am and I drive to the Red Mountain, CA area. I full well know it will...
by helpful_cub
Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:25 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: How to get a pup full?
Replies: 17
Views: 5240

Re: How to get a pup full?

I started adding two tablespoons of pumpkin to his dog's food. The added fiber seems to help him feel full and definitely makes his business nicely formed. I think that's an inherent problem with high energy dog food, there's not enough fiber in it.
by helpful_cub
Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:55 am
Forum: Training
Topic: newly adopted 3yo GSP "give" issues
Replies: 12
Views: 3626

Re: newly adopted 3yo GSP "give" issues

He won't hold until i take it. AND he won't take it from my hand to play the give and take game to teach him to hold it until i take it.. Force fetch. My GSP was the same way until we walked through the fetch command, the hold command and the drop command. Now he knows if he drops it at my feet tha...
by helpful_cub
Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:24 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: Hi, came here to teach my puppy how to go get my dinner :o)
Replies: 1
Views: 788

Re: Hi, came here to teach my puppy how to go get my dinner :o)

See if a local trainer will have a look. If your pup has a nose, likes birds, likes running and is trainable; than you may have a potential bird dog on your hands.
by helpful_cub
Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: recommendations for hunting vests for dogs..
Replies: 12
Views: 4487

Re: recommendations for hunting vests for dogs..

+1 at least for water. I've always ran labs so I haven't seen the need for vests. I have a cousin who runs GSP's and I always felt sorry for his dogs, their family jewels look raw after a day in the CRP. I haven't seen anything other than neoprene for water, I wouldn't think any other material will...
by helpful_cub
Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Which Command in What Order?
Replies: 21
Views: 5248

Re: Which Command in What Order?

@ helpful_cub: Thanks for your "rundown" of the commands and your advice. I have already noticed that something the pup will do in the house doesnt always immediately carry over into the field. My pup will come on command in the house...and when you take him out he doesnt listen too much....but onc...
by helpful_cub
Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:37 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Which Command in What Order?
Replies: 21
Views: 5248

Re: Which Command in What Order?

Any dog that knows come and whoa can be hunted and is obedient. sit and down are just whoa's in other positions, they are just easier because the dog has to complete more steps to break the stay in the other positions so you can catch him easier. Whoa is stay, sit is stay, down is stay. I don't kno...
by helpful_cub
Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:19 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Pointing lab running out and ranging too far.
Replies: 18
Views: 5705

Re: Pointing lab running out and ranging too far.

Your puppy is coming along great and your doing really well by him by letting him find real birds. I part of the confusion comes from what people generally expect from a pointer versus a flusher. Flushers work fairly close so you can be within shotgun range when they flush the bird. Pointers on the ...
by helpful_cub
Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dogtra 2502
Replies: 16
Views: 5399

Re: Dogtra 2502

Even at 50 I've seen my GSP whelp and jump up a couple of feet. I've found that if the collar isn't tight enough and positioned just perfect then for some reason the continuous doesn't always keep hitting, making it more like a nick.
by helpful_cub
Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Does beeper collar spook game?
Replies: 12
Views: 4329

Re: Does beeper collar spook game?

Birddogz wrote:If you had an Astro, you would never lose your dog. I know that they are pricey, but they are the fantastic.
The question is, do you buy the best currently available or do you wait a couples of years for Dogsport to add competition and potentially new features to the market?
by helpful_cub
Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:06 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Which ECollar?
Replies: 15
Views: 4552

Re: Which ECollar?

I went with the Dogtra 2500T&B. Having a 1 mile range is really handy when we're working in the mountains. The beeper when he's on point is over-rated. It seems to spook every type of bird he's found so far.
by helpful_cub
Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: training a dog to track
Replies: 12
Views: 4229

Re: training a dog to track

I took my GSP out hiking to a highly used trail today and discovered something interesting. I don't need a guide, signage or map. Since the trail was so recently walked on, he just followed his nose and walked us around the trail loop. He even avoided foot prints that looked a few days old. I unders...
by helpful_cub
Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:26 am
Forum: Training
Topic: training a dog to track
Replies: 12
Views: 4229

Re: training a dog to track

im working on teaching my gsp to track for na test . could use some tips on teaching him thanks for any help There's a few ways to go about it. For birds, I've seen people use a string and a dead bird and they drag it along the ground and hide the bird. They also place some feathers along the way t...