Search found 300 matches

by RyanDoolittle
Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Garmin 320 giving up on me.
Replies: 2
Views: 1261

Re: Garmin 320 giving up on me.

How do you like the 430 vs the 320? I have a 320 that's about 10 or 12 years old and have been thinking of an upgrade. Especially now that members in our group are using the Alphas and it would be nice to sync handlers and dogs together. We picked up a new red dog this year as well! Got one from Kel...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Alpha 300
Replies: 15
Views: 3264

Re: Alpha 300

I live on the prairies so am in the same wind situation as you. I like tone for recall, alot of times the dogs can't hear me but they hear the tone. I know guys that use the tone for whoa as well. I couldn't imagine having to stop my dog at 1000 yards then having to walk out there to let the dog loo...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:56 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Creeping
Replies: 15
Views: 12242

Re: Creeping

A week on wild Huns will solve your creeping issue right quick. Doesn't take a dog long to figure out not to move unless the birds do.
by RyanDoolittle
Thu May 18, 2023 10:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Westminster kennel club
Replies: 3
Views: 2780

Re: Westminster kennel club

I think dogs are made in the field and not the show ring. There is a large conformation difference in breeds across North America simply because of the type of hunting required from the dog. A dog that needs to hunt the dense wood of Rhode Island is different than one that needs to hunt the chukar h...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:35 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

Am I the only one that thinks the most important time to have a GPS is when the dog is very young? I recently upgraded to a inreach equipped Alpha 200i. If anyone needs a very high condition (2) TT-10 collars Alpha 100 system, drop me a PM. All new batteries, original boxes and accessories. I agree...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jan 02, 2023 11:36 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Switching dog food
Replies: 18
Views: 5905

Re: Switching dog food

I fed Purina for years and years, I switched to Victor, have been more than happy with it. I'm going to take a guess and say your out west some where feeding Black Gold? Used to feed it as well. No, not out west. My other gsp is on Victor and I am very pleased with it, he likes it to ,though he lik...
by RyanDoolittle
Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:55 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: paint for kennel panels
Replies: 2
Views: 2175

Re: paint for kennel panels

i am repairing all of my welded wire panels. i am going to repaint them all and i am researching what would be the best option to keep the rust at bay. i know it will eventually rust. just looking to see what others have used. not going to use powder coat. thanks POR-15 will make your panels air ti...
by RyanDoolittle
Wed Dec 07, 2022 6:37 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Socialization prior to vaccinations
Replies: 7
Views: 3037

Re: Socialization prior to vaccinations

I've never waited for shots to take my puppies out in nature. I avoided areas like dog parks or heavily used trials. Never had a dog get sick taking them to spots I find wild birds. I am also in the group that avoids dog parks 100%. I feel a well bred dog gets enough socializing with friends coming ...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Oct 30, 2022 6:18 pm
Forum: Product Ratings & Reviews
Topic: Danner blow out
Replies: 18
Views: 5469

Re: Danner blow out

I have the Irish Setter Wing shooters and they are ok but not great honestly. They are loose around the ankle and even though I believe they are the right size my foot moves around in them a lot which makes it hard to scrabble around in difficult terrain. They have an uncanny ability to come untied...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Oct 30, 2022 9:56 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 1 year old GSP busting birds and not holding point
Replies: 21
Views: 7496

Re: 1 year old GSP busting birds and not holding point

jmez wrote:
Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:35 pm
Dog would really benefit from wild birds. I'd start looking now for a trainer to take him to SD or ND next summer.

The best piece of advice given and well worth every penny it will cost. Nothing trains a dog better than wild birds.
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Oct 30, 2022 9:55 am
Forum: Product Ratings & Reviews
Topic: Danner blow out
Replies: 18
Views: 5469

Re: Danner blow out

I bought some Irish Setter Vapor Tech boots for elk hunting that got moved over to upland. They were super light weight, kept my feet dry in the wet, the problem was the tread not being aggressive enough. I would slip on mud or wet grass, made for great sharptail or Hun boots. I am thinking of tryin...
by RyanDoolittle
Wed Oct 05, 2022 8:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How far do y'all let pups chase?
Replies: 28
Views: 8957

Re: How far do y'all let pups chase?

Once a dog has an active interest in birds, letting them chase does no good at all. It simply endangers the pup, destroys any obedience the pup may have, and makes breaking the chase more difficult later. I DO let them chase until 16 weeks and that's it. After that I do have them retrieving clip wi...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Oct 03, 2022 9:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How far do y'all let pups chase?
Replies: 28
Views: 8957

Re: How far do y'all let pups chase?

She is 13 weeks how much control does anyone have over any 13 week old puppy. If it were me I would let her chase all through next fall, though I would be surprised if she isn't standing her birds by the end of the year if she is well bred. Let her get a solid season under her belt before you try to...
by RyanDoolittle
Wed Sep 07, 2022 8:09 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: WHATEVER IT TAKES
Replies: 6
Views: 4349

Re: WHATEVER IT TAKES

Just to add, for all of you reading this and saying to yourself you are going to buy an Inreach, you also need to look into insurance. A helicopter rescue can cost upwards of $25,000 and the last thing you want to worry about when looking at that SOS button is can you afford a rescue. For myself the...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Aug 28, 2022 3:33 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Went to the dark side
Replies: 10
Views: 4083

Re: Went to the dark side

Your going to enjoy hunting alot more now. You actually get to be able to enjoy your surroundings instead of having to constantly pay attention to a flusher.
by RyanDoolittle
Wed Aug 24, 2022 9:48 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking at puppies
Replies: 23
Views: 6010

Re: Looking at puppies

It always cracks me up when the breeder tells you first pick at 8 weeks then someone else gives some sort of a sob story and suddenly your forced to pick early. Congrats on the puppy, I am sure you will be happy with her. Heck let's be honest, they could be the worst dog in the world, in our eyes it...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:09 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Looking at puppies
Replies: 23
Views: 6010

Re: Looking at puppies

Pick based on color. That's about the only sure thing you have at this age.
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Anyone been to a Ronnie Smith seminar?
Replies: 13
Views: 4738

Re: Anyone been to a Ronnie Smith seminar?

The seminar is only expensive if you don't take anything from it. If you go to the seminar the spend then rest of the year sitting on the couch, the seminar was a total waste of money for you. If you attend the seminar, pay attention, then go home and overlay what you learned so you or your dog sees...
by RyanDoolittle
Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:01 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

gonehuntin' wrote:
Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:18 pm
What if the dog runs away? Chases a deer? Goes after a bird or rabbit? You may not NEED one, but for me, it's the cheapest insurance I can buy. There's also YOU. I hunt a lot of big woods and with a GPS, I can get out.
Or with the addition of Inreach, someone can get in to get you out.
by RyanDoolittle
Thu Jul 14, 2022 9:36 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

Sharon wrote:
Wed Jul 13, 2022 6:54 am
A GPS collar is not necessary until you can't find your dog , and then you wish you'd bought one.
It's like trying to find your way around a new town or city. Sure you could pull out the paper map, or just open your cellphone and it will guide you exactly where you want to go 🤷
by RyanDoolittle
Tue Jul 05, 2022 10:23 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What do you feed your dog(s)?
Replies: 17
Views: 6738

Re: What do you feed your dog(s)?

I get exactly what your saying. What I am saying is less money out of my pocket, less food into my dog, same results. Win win win. I am buying less dog food and it's lasting me longer. Volume or weight I get more time between bags and bags are significantly less money. Call it what you want, I call ...
by RyanDoolittle
Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:13 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

Ryan DooLittle you make a good point about not having to get one right away but save up for one before our first season. Realistically I won’t be able to hunt the dog much if at all this year since it’ll only be 7 months old by the end of our season (that statement leads me to a bunch of other ques...
by RyanDoolittle
Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:09 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What do you feed your dog(s)?
Replies: 17
Views: 6738

Re: What do you feed your dog(s)?

The proof is in the pudding. My dogs kept the same condition, eat less, and it's cheaper in my pocket.

The dog is using more of what's in the kibble. To me the proof is in the pudding and what I am seeing is proof enough.
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:19 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Switching dog food
Replies: 18
Views: 5905

Re: Switching dog food

We also fed ppp 30/20 and the price drove us to inukshuk 30/25. Its a little cheaper per pound and we're feeding about 1 1/2 cups per day less with it then the ppp. Went from 4 cups a day to about 2 1/2 and our gsp seems to be doing well with it so far. We tried joy but it didn't do well for us. I ...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:16 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

I've hunted lots of open and brushy habitats, never used a GPS and never lost a bird dog. So I don't think a GPS is necessary. Noone thinks they need one until they do. Then the sun is going down, you haven't seen your dog in an hour or 2 and now your best hope is leaving your jacket on the ground,...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:11 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Is a GPS collar necessary
Replies: 34
Views: 12550

Re: Is a GPS collar necessary

I view the GPS collar as necessary as my shotgun or ecollar. Yes you can run a dog without one, but why? Even a close ranging dog gets lost. Chases a rabbit, takes a wrong turn, burrows in deep on point and is tough for you to find them. A GPS collar is an insurance plan. I'm not sure how I could wa...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:02 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What do you feed your dog(s)?
Replies: 17
Views: 6738

Re: What do you feed your dog(s)?

I was feeding Pro Plan and had quiet alot of success with it however have since changed. When it hit $80/bag I stopped feeding the food and started feeding Inukshuk 26/16. Inukshuk vacuums the fats into the kibble which makes it 30% more dense than the PP so I found I feed alot less. Inukshuk when a...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pigeons
Replies: 6
Views: 3195

Re: Pigeons

Always fly them hungry. They come back alot faster and no screwing around when they get home.

Make sure there is food waiting in the feeder when they get home.
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Jun 05, 2022 9:15 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?
Replies: 5
Views: 3214

Re: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?

You will need to get Canadian Topo Maps however Garmin has them. At this point most are either download or a MicroSD card that pops right into any of their GPS units. The Alpha can still be used as a GPS without the collars.
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Jun 04, 2022 10:50 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?
Replies: 5
Views: 3214

Re: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?

Especially when you consider your landscape I would be surprised if you got 1 mile with the Alpha 900. I've gotten 3 miles on the back of my horse on the top of a hill with the factory long range antennae but I am on the Prairie not in dense forest like you. I also have an extendable long range that...
by RyanDoolittle
Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Rats getting into pigeon trap
Replies: 4
Views: 2838

Re: Rats getting into pigeon trap

Are we talking the trap on a loft or a trap to capture wild birds?
by RyanDoolittle
Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:13 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pigeons
Replies: 6
Views: 3195

Re: Pigeons

Give the young birds a week, then put them in a cage on your landing board. This will allow them to observe the area and get used to the trap. A week of that and they should have the trap figured out. Let them out to free fly, don't release them from any distance, just let them sit on the shed or ho...
by RyanDoolittle
Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:08 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?
Replies: 5
Views: 3214

Re: Does the Garmin Alpha WORK in Canada?

ALL the Garmin collars work in Canada. The only thing you need to be worried about is if you decide to field trial, nearly every club won't allow their use. Not 1 person has EVER been charged for using ANY of the Garmin tracking collars. People are going to tell you to just use the Astro 900, which ...
by RyanDoolittle
Tue May 10, 2022 2:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Favorite print?
Replies: 29
Views: 12421

Re: Favorite print?

I far prefer to take pictures of MY dog and have them enlarged and framed. Why buy someone's that doesn't depict your dog when you can easily have an original far cheaper. I do yearly calendars of mine and send a dozen a year to friends and breeders. So your saying there are people out there enjoy ...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun May 08, 2022 10:04 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog running out the door
Replies: 14
Views: 4784

Re: Dog running out the door

Call it tough love but this works for me. I close the door in their face. Same way I taught them not to charge the crate door. When they charge they run into the door. They are made to stand still and not move, the dog isn't released until it's standing still with the door open. Doesn't take many ti...
by RyanDoolittle
Tue Apr 05, 2022 11:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely
Replies: 15
Views: 3072

Re: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely

I believe I had mentioned it once before, but I had one of my favorite birds who didn’t return from a training flight. I can’t recall how far the release was, I believe it was a shorter one, maybe 10 miles. At the time they were regularly returning from 30-40 miles. 5 days later I was driving home ...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:37 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely
Replies: 15
Views: 3072

Re: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely

Also note that they don't like crossing water. So if you have a river or lake to cross between you and the training grounds then incorporate that into your training tosses.
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely
Replies: 15
Views: 3072

Re: When to let baby pigeons to fly out freely

I start mine pretty early. To start it's on the shed roof on the other side of the yard. Then to the front yard Then down the block Then a mile. This usually takes a while because I will let them go at a mile in all directions. Move to 2 and same process Move to 3, repeat the process. At 4 I start j...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Mar 26, 2022 11:11 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Tie out stakes and chain gang
Replies: 9
Views: 5326

Re: Tie out stakes and chain gang

I carry an 8lb sledge. Works great for pounding dog stakes or horse stakes into the ground. Couple taps on the left, couple taps on the right and they pull right out. I have some 30 inch 5/8 steel stakes, dog chain is 3 feet with a large O ring at the end, I have never had a dog pull the stakes out ...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Recall worries during na test
Replies: 13
Views: 7918

Re: Recall worries during na test

It's a NATURAL ability test. They are not expecting a trained dog.

This is where NAVHDA has really gone down hill. The NA test has gone from evaluating the natural ability of a dog to training for a prize 1.
by RyanDoolittle
Thu Mar 03, 2022 1:29 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Getting Pigeons to Nest
Replies: 24
Views: 5368

Re: Getting Pigeons to Nest

The Red Rose Loft plans are golden. The only thing I would change is to go 6 feet wide instead of 4 and I would add a sliding door in the middle. This way I could separate young birds from my breeder birds. Good birds are the secret to training dogs. To have good birds you need good breeding stock a...
by RyanDoolittle
Mon Feb 28, 2022 10:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Getting Pigeons to Nest
Replies: 24
Views: 5368

Re: Getting Pigeons to Nest

Thanks for the helpful info. Do any of you have a picture of a well-constructed nest box? I don't think mine is ideal. Just Google Pigeon nest box or look at some of the breeder boxes on YouTube. Honestly for what we do with our birds and how fast we want them to reproduce, focus on how they raise ...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Feb 26, 2022 10:55 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Getting Pigeons to Nest
Replies: 24
Views: 5368

Re: Getting Pigeons to Nest

It's still early enough that you should look for racers in your area and see if they would pair some birds for you, that way you get the squeekers to fly. In the meantime you can modify your loft to make it pest and escape proof. I never had problems with nesting in the winter and I am in Alberta wh...
by RyanDoolittle
Thu Feb 17, 2022 2:05 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: nstra Trials
Replies: 15
Views: 7595

Re: nstra Trials

This dog has her opinion about stocked birds for sure. Last weekend we had a fun, work and training day at the nstra trial grounds. Dogs know you cant correct them during the trial. We set up mock trials with birds and judges, but dogs could be handled and e-collars could be used. It was success fo...
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Jan 23, 2022 1:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not so good with strangers
Replies: 12
Views: 3990

Re: GSP not so good with strangers

The dog is past that point Steve. That's what you are failing to recognize. All those things would have been excellent in the past 18 months. Now it's time for something more serious.
by RyanDoolittle
Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:31 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not so good with strangers
Replies: 12
Views: 3990

Re: GSP not so good with strangers

The problem isn't isn't dog sitting down. The problem is behavior most likely from lack of structure during the dogs upbringing. Lacking structure is something that is quiet common in today's dogs, we treat them like people, not like dogs. In this case we have a dog lunging at people with an unfrien...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not so good with strangers
Replies: 12
Views: 3990

Re: GSP not so good with strangers

After reading that entire post I think you are beyond internet help. Seek professional help before they gets any worse. Step #1 will begin with you stop treating him like a person and start treating him as a pack member. This is usually the start of most house hold problems. Establish you and your f...
by RyanDoolittle
Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:55 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Coyotes
Replies: 31
Views: 8692

Re: Coyotes

I like to wait for a few days of frigid cold, when the weather breaks head out with a caller and my rifle. The coyotes are so hungry they are stupid. You can get them in close and if your a decent shot can take 3 or 4 of the pack out before they get out of range. The other thing I have started carry...
by RyanDoolittle
Thu Jan 06, 2022 4:24 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH
Replies: 66
Views: 27591

Re: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH

Speaking of pedigree's, can anyone tell me the signifacance of Barn Owl Wind? Lot of people with him in their dogs pedigree and they don't even know it! Titles mean a dog has the ability but does not indicate if you have the ability to bring it out! How long has that dog been dead for and people ar...