Search found 121 matches

by FirearmFan
Thu Jun 19, 2014 8:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Already??
Replies: 3
Views: 1490

Re: Already??

CDN_Cocker wrote:Looking good! Get that champ onto some birds!

His 3 most favorite joys in life are birds, food, and empty paper towel rolls. He'll run around with a paper towel roll in his mouth for an hour and not so much as bend it. He sure has a soft mouth.
by FirearmFan
Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Already??
Replies: 3
Views: 1490

Re: Already??

Loki at 1 year
by FirearmFan
Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:02 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Already??
Replies: 3
Views: 1490

Already??

I can't believe how fast time flies. Today is my 1st gundog Loki's 1st birthday. It has been a fun journey so far. I can't believe what a great dog he has been and how close of a bond we have. It doesn't seem like it's been a full year since he was born. I'm excited for his first hunting season comi...
by FirearmFan
Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:25 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Whats your dogs name?
Replies: 214
Views: 92612

Re: Whats your dogs name?

English Springer Spaniel - Loki (named after the Norse God of Mischief)
by FirearmFan
Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:04 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How to keep the tradition alive?
Replies: 13
Views: 4525

How to keep the tradition alive?

This weekend I was out training the pup with the training group that I am a part of. Afterwards we were eating lunch and some of the guys (all avid field trialers) were talking about the current state of trials and also how they were back when they started trailing. They mentioned about 5 people who...
by FirearmFan
Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:11 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

The snow and cold has slowed us down but we're still working a bit. Here's Loki after a successful retrieving session.
by FirearmFan
Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Transitioning from truck cab to truck bed...
Replies: 8
Views: 5192

Re: Transitioning from truck cab to truck bed...

What size crate is your smaller one, and how big is your dog? I had some concern about my setters' comfort in their truck crates. They go about 48-55 pounds and were in large size 400 crates. But I couldn't cram 5 of those into my truck. Then I realized that the dogs just curl up into little balls ...
by FirearmFan
Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:04 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: When to switch from pup to adult food
Replies: 28
Views: 16434

Re: When to switch from pup to adult food

I feed Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 which is branded for "all life stages." I don't know enough about dog food to debate the topic but my 2 dogs seem to do well on it and my springer has been eating it since he switched to solids.
by FirearmFan
Mon Jan 27, 2014 12:20 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Transitioning from truck cab to truck bed...
Replies: 8
Views: 5192

Transitioning from truck cab to truck bed...

Up to this point I have been transporting my springer pup in a crate in the back seat of my truck. Unfortunately he is getting so big (very long and leggy) that he has pretty much outgrown all of my smaller crates. I have a nice plastic crate that I can ratchet strap into the bed of my truck. My pup...
by FirearmFan
Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Your First Gun Dog
Replies: 4
Views: 2140

Your First Gun Dog

There are quite a few members on this board that are very experienced and have been training dogs for quite some time. Being that I'm on my first gun dog and trying to learn as I go I got to wondering what some of the more experienced people's first time around the block was like. So what was your f...
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:15 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Finally open water
Replies: 15
Views: 6713

Re: Finally open water

Looks like a blast. I would love a 60 degree day. It is -20F today and it will be a while before I see any open water.
by FirearmFan
Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:46 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dilemma about lab, springer or DD choice
Replies: 58
Views: 18914

Re: Dilemma about lab, springer or DD choice

I have a springer pup and I train with a bunch of people who hunt and field trial springers. Based on my experiences with my pup, all the springers that I train with, as well as all research I've done I can say that springers are terrific family dogs and very versatile hunters. They can do all types...
by FirearmFan
Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:43 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Simple pigeon loft
Replies: 6
Views: 6158

Simple pigeon loft

I want to keep some pigeons on hand to get my pup more consistent exposure to birds as well as more frequent training. I've done some searching on getting started with pigeons and building a loft/coop. Everything I've found seems so involved and complex. I don't plan on breeding or homing them (at l...
by FirearmFan
Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: House training help
Replies: 9
Views: 4586

Re: House training help

Have you been using a crate? At that age they can't really control themselves that well. When I was house breaking my pup I tried to bring him outside every 15-20 minutes. If he didn't go it was back in the crate and we would try again later. Keep at it and it will get better.
by FirearmFan
Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:28 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How many dogs?
Replies: 41
Views: 15885

How many dogs?

The puppy addiction thread got me wondering how many people on here are single dog households or multiple dogs households. So how many dogs do you have? What's the most you have ever had at one time? Right now I have 2. A Springer Spaniel and a French Bulldog. These are my first two dogs (aside from...
by FirearmFan
Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Outdoor photos
Replies: 27
Views: 11145

Re: Outdoor photos

The view out my backyard. Not nearly the camera quality as the other pictures on here but this thread needed a snow picture.

Image
by FirearmFan
Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:02 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: game hunting and recepies
Replies: 11
Views: 5974

Re: game hunting and recepies

I eat a lot of venison. Also duck, goose, grouse, pheasant, turkey, rabbit, and any other wild game I can get ahold of. I marinade my duck breasts using whatever marinade I have at the time that looks tasty and grill them. I think that duck tastes awesome. I have also pan fried them using flour and ...
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: I'm back with big question
Replies: 39
Views: 23318

Re: I'm back with big question

I am on my first gundog and he is still just a pup (6 months old) so I was in the same boat not too long ago researching every breed and trying to decide what to get. I had a list of about 7 breeds I wanted to try and I decided on a field bred English Springer Spaniel because it seemed to be exactly...
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

CDN_Cocker wrote:He looks great!

Thanks. This was shorty after a long run in the woods through about 2 feet of snow. He was napping on my lap but I woke him up with the camera.
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:49 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

An updated pic
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:46 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Congratulations Cass. They grow fast. I joined this forum last March (right around the time you picked him up) looking for help on my upcoming spaniel. I've enjoyed watching Jake's progress and how he's grown. You must be very proud of how he is coming along. It's been a heck of a ride and we still...
by FirearmFan
Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:38 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Congratulations Cass. They grow fast. I joined this forum last March (right around the time you picked him up) looking for help on my upcoming spaniel. I've enjoyed watching Jake's progress and how he's grown. You must be very proud of how he is coming along.
by FirearmFan
Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:35 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Allergic Reaction
Replies: 4
Views: 2906

Re: Allergic Reaction

Any chance of a dead rodent in the vicinity? Rodent mites move fast and cause acute reactions from welts to full blown dermatitis. It's possible outside but unlikely that she would get into one without myself or my wife noticing. We live in a rural area and don't have a fenced in yard so we always ...
by FirearmFan
Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:12 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Allergic Reaction
Replies: 4
Views: 2906

Allergic Reaction

A couple days ago we noticed tufts of raised hair on our French Bulldog. Upon closer inspection she had several welts or areas of raised skin and was having a skin irritation to something. My wife is a nurse and she checked her breathing and heart rate and it seemed fine and the dog didn't appear to...
by FirearmFan
Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:54 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

CDN_Cocker wrote:Loki is looking good! Cute pup. Driving you nuts yet?
Occasionally he is a bit much. He is a pretty well behaved pup overall. The worst is the rough housing between him and my French Bulldog. They are destroying the hardwood floors in my brand new house!
by FirearmFan
Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:47 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Here's a recent photo of Loki.
by FirearmFan
Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:58 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Thought I'd show off my new Springer pup. Her name is Sunniside Flush (Sunni). She's now 9 weeks old and a great joy to have around. This is her posing with a limit of wild roosters that we shot over my 4 yr old Chocolate Lab this last weekend. https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/14612...
by FirearmFan
Tue Oct 29, 2013 7:06 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Getting my Puppy Hooked on Fetching
Replies: 7
Views: 4124

Re: Getting my Puppy Hooked on Fetching

I'm far from an expert at this but I'm working on retrieving with my 4 month old springer right now. I would put a check cord on the dog so that you can reel him into you and he can't run away. Keep the sessions short and exciting and I would use a dedicated retrieving bumper rather than a stick. So...
by FirearmFan
Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Thanks guys. Loki is doing great. He's used to dead pigeons so he was a little bit apprehensive of a live one. He barked at it and ran around it for a minute or so before he decided to dive in and grab it. Now he is hooked.
by FirearmFan
Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:26 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Here is Loki on his 1st live bird. He is becoming bird crazy.
by FirearmFan
Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:42 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Congrats Cass on your hunting success with Jake. It sounds like he is coming along very nicely. Tim, awesome job with Josie. Since the woods are clearing up I was able to take my four month old, Loki, out into the woods for his first time. He has been in fields with long grass and cover before but t...
by FirearmFan
Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:27 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Got a question to get this thing started! I seem to be picking up 2 different schools of thought on steadying. The American system says to steady after the dog has had birds shot over it, while British seems to wait to shoot until the dog is steady to flush. The British system seems to make more se...
by FirearmFan
Fri Oct 04, 2013 5:12 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840095

Re: The Spaniel Spot

I'll start by posting a picture of my little guy. Enjoy!
by FirearmFan
Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: New Spaniel Training Help
Replies: 19
Views: 6610

Re: New Spaniel Training Help

Welcome and good choice in choosing an English cocker. He should be able to do everything you are looking for him to do. I'm on my first gun dog as well, an English Springer Spaniel named Loki. It sounds like he is about a week or two younger than your pup. There is a lot of good info on here but as...
by FirearmFan
Tue Oct 01, 2013 12:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog Food
Replies: 38
Views: 14347

Re: Dog Food

I use Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20. I use it because my dogs like it, they look good, their coats look good, and they stay in good shape on it. I don't know enough about the science and nutrition of dog food to join in on the dog food debates on this forum but I'd like to think that I'm f...
by FirearmFan
Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:52 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Whats your favorite dog breed? And why?
Replies: 59
Views: 67507

Re: Whats your favorite dog breed? And why?

Tough question. I like so many breeds and have experience with so few. I had a lab growing up and although we didn't hunt him, he was a fantastic dog and I will always miss him. My mom had a Great Dane named Monster who was my buddy. Even though he was 200lbs he still thought he was a lap dog. I hav...
by FirearmFan
Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:33 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: I want to learn.
Replies: 19
Views: 7513

Re: I want to learn.

In addition to your location, what species are you looking to hunt? The tips and strategies for hunting duck for example is different than for grouse.
by FirearmFan
Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:42 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Replies: 9
Views: 3144

Re: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

I know a few folks with them and they are pretty neat dogs. Don't know any that are used for hunting though. Cass, did you say know or know n [/b]? :wink: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/crackerd/snowcustard-1.jpg "The tolling thing is a bit fuzzy" - as in hypnotizing - only to the birds bei...
by FirearmFan
Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Replies: 9
Views: 3144

Re: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

MJB64 wrote:Google "Toller scream".

That's bizarre. Funny but I could see it getting annoying if it was a common occurrence.
by FirearmFan
Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:59 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: When is enough enough aggressive dog
Replies: 45
Views: 23117

Re: When is enough enough aggressive dog

thanks for all the replies....since my original post we have worked hard on some tough love training, but want to throw this out there. my wife made the correlation between when we apply flea/tic medication to his aggressiveness. we have not had an issue since my original post and based on her obse...
by FirearmFan
Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Replies: 9
Views: 3144

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Does anybody have any experience with the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed? I'm not looking to get one (or any other breed for that matter). Two dogs is as much as I can handle right now. I'm mostly just curious of what people think of them. I think they are very good looking dogs and are pr...
by FirearmFan
Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:19 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Winter Training
Replies: 4
Views: 1691

Re: Winter Training

If you had pointing dogs, I would tell you it would be cheaper to move. But with a spaniel there is a good bit you can do, even with a 6 mo. Work on hup, stay, come, and other such things. Keeping in shape is important. Human treadmills will work for smaller dogs, have to be lengthen for pointers. ...
by FirearmFan
Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Winter Training
Replies: 4
Views: 1691

Winter Training

I was curious what those of you who have to deal with large amounts of snow and cold temperatures do in the winter for training? Living in rural wisconsin I spend quite a few months in freezing temperatures and 2-3 ft of snow. By the time the weather starts to turn nasty (around December) my springe...
by FirearmFan
Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:39 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: WINGSHOOTING USA
Replies: 68
Views: 21204

Re: WINGSHOOTING USA

I really like the show as well. I have my DVR set to record it whenever it is on. Great show Scott. Has there ever been an episode where he hunts with a Springer?? I'd love to see that. I've seen one where they used a field bred english cocker but never a springer.
by FirearmFan
Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hand Painted Decoys
Replies: 6
Views: 2093

Re: Hand Painted Decoys

Very nice!
by FirearmFan
Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Let's see the pictures of your dogs!
Replies: 48
Views: 23380

Re: Let's see the pictures of your dogs!

Loki, Springer Spaniel puppy.
by FirearmFan
Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:55 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Small Victories (puppy update)
Replies: 9
Views: 4464

Re: Small Victories (puppy update)

Thanks everyone. He's a keeper. He is doing very well on "hup" so far. I'm excited for more advanced training to start.
by FirearmFan
Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:57 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Small Victories (puppy update)
Replies: 9
Views: 4464

Small Victories (puppy update)

This weekend I decided to do a little bit of work with the new pup. I wanted to do a few retrieves but I don't really have any long hallways in my house because we have a real open floor plan. I decided the best closed off area was my master bathroom so I sat in my bedroom facing my bathroom and use...
by FirearmFan
Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:33 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Loki, the English Springer Spaniel
Replies: 6
Views: 2167

Re: Loki, the English Springer Spaniel

CDN_Cocker wrote:Now thats a handsome dog!

Thanks. He is definitely a looker. He has a lot of liver coloring but with a good mixture of white in there.
by FirearmFan
Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Loki, the English Springer Spaniel
Replies: 6
Views: 2167

Re: Loki, the English Springer Spaniel

Bird Dog 67 wrote:Congrats on the new pup! Always nice to see other from EC here too!

Thanks. I'm really liking it out here (I'm a transplant from the Twin Cities). I should have some good opportunities to get the pup on some pheasant, grouse, and duck without having to travel too far.