Gun Dog Forum

birddogger2

I live in the city and because I need to be roaded as much as my gwp's. I take them out with a bicycle or a skateboard. I just use about 10-12 ft. of soft heavy rope like 1/2 in. with a bowline loop. Way more fun. I am envious on a couple different levels. If I tried either one of those things that...

birddogger2

Great Basin - Welcome aboard. Sounds like your newest partner is well on their way. After being "trained" by three dogs over 30 years, you should be ready to share some of what your dogs have taught you. I'd bet there are some great stories you could tell, especially being from such a great area for...

birddogger2

Agree with Shags on the vet visit, especially if you can run your hand over the tail and feel anything out of place or if you gently manipulate and it causes pain. Years ago I had dog injure its tail on a training run and had the tail surgically repaired. The vet put the tail in a strip of corner mo...

birddogger2

I haven't used cables in many years, but I rigged them sorta like wire rope. It is vital to use a metal thimble because the metal of the snap will saw right through the plastic coating AND the soft copper..VERY quickly. Put the snap inside the thimble, roll the cable over the thimble, lock the cable...

birddogger2

bigjay - As has been mentioned, prey drive, while very desirable, can have undesired consequences in pointing dogs. In any dog, but especially in a pointing dog...that prey drive needs to be "managed". At 4 months of age, I start heel/whoa drills, after the manner of Paul Long, but using a pigging s...

birddogger2

Grover - I don't know anyone who would take a dog for two weeks for anything resembling hunting dog training. Anyone who says they would...I would be very skeptical of. That ain't the way it works. There may be some folks with whom you could spend a day, or two... so they could show YOU how to work ...

birddogger2

Very nice. Looks like your pup is pretty well put together. That frontal pic shows off some pretty big front paws, so I suspect you are going to have a dog that can run circles around you, if it chooses to. There are some parts of puppyhood that most cannot wait for the dog to grow beyond, but there...

birddogger2

Welcome aboard and have a ball with your new hunting partner. Growing together is something very special and I wish you the best.

RayG

birddogger2

Welcome -

Helping each other is one of the main reasons why folks frequent this board, so... ask away.

Let us know what kind of dog you are going to get and, once you do pull the trigger, pictures of your new hunting partner are appreciated by all.

RayG

birddogger2

JNC - Sounds like you are doing quite well for your first pointy type dog. If the swapped out command is working... I'd go with it for a few sessions and then overlay the original command right after, so giving the dog BOTH commands nd, eventually,, go back to the original command if you wish. Dogs ...

birddogger2

Nothing at all in the summer. There might be some remnants of the pine and cedar chips I had in there for the colder weather, but I do not add anything, and in the warmer months, I empty the Dogloos out, give them a rinse(and let drain and dry) and then spray them down on the inside with bug killer....

birddogger2

Question?? Can you rig a water hose with a nozzle attached, into the youngster's kennel, with a shut off valve close to where you are in the house? The weather is warming up so this is pretty safe and just might work. If you can rig something up, a surprise spray of water and a verbal reprimand migh...

birddogger2

My experience with Tuff Foot is both good and bad. I first used it years ago and put multiple applications on the dog's feet. At first they seemed to harden up but with additional applications the pads got brittle and cracked. Some years later I used it on a dog that had worn his front pads almost r...

birddogger2

The only thing I really worry about when it comes to my dogs running...is hydration. ALWAYS carry water for the dog and I mean at least a couple quarts...when it is hot. Remember they are running with a fur coat on. That can get hot. I watch the dogs and when they lose their hard driving pace and sl...

birddogger2

I would inspect it closely every day. It is not unusual for the dog's systems to try and eject any foreign body. A close inspection with a headlamp light and if possible a magnifying headset might reveal something trying to make its way out of an entrance hole.

RayG

birddogger2

If one were to contrast Polmaise's gun "familiarization" technique to the OP's efforts, it would be fair to say that the OP was kinda rushing things. in a couple different ways. I think his method is less conditioning and more familiarization. I like it. I have to say that having the dog have physic...

birddogger2

Since one of the primary jobs of a bird dog is to locate and retrieve a downed bird, I am cautious about playing tug of war with a youngster as it MAY translate into chomping on birds(so called hard mouth). Any toys, like kongs and such are fine as long as the puppy brings them to me when I call the...

birddogger2

Welcome aboard.

What are your plans, hopes or expectations for your new pup?

Enjoy the youngster. They grow soooo fast. Your summer will have many new things happening.

RayG

birddogger2

FWIW- My dogs are primarily hunting and field trial dogs and live in kennels. They are NOT house dogs in any way shape or form. That is NOT what I want. They do not run loose without direct supervision ..not ever. Not even in the fenced in back yard. As far as behavior is concerned, they MUST be res...

birddogger2

My dogs obey my wife and I. I don't want anyone else giving commands or attempting to discipline. A dog should be subservient to and responsive to every member of a given household from the adults down through the youngest child. However, I do agree that is where the compulsory obedience should end...

birddogger2

Bill/Trekmoor- I read this with a deep sadness. I do hope that one of the therapies available today (Opdivo/Yervoy frommy old company Bristol Myers Squibb) or something similar such as the Merck drug, may give you some additional quality time. Please know that I and many others have been made richer...

birddogger2

PMW - I don't see anything in that picture that would lead me to believe your dog is anything but extremely fit. A that distance I might expect to see the rise and fall of ribs.. but I don't even see that. Deep chest, nice tuck up after the chest and some good length to the body for a smooth gait. N...

birddogger2

Beautiful youngster you have there. I never did waterfowl(preferred to bow hunt) and am not well versed in formal retriever training methods, so the only thing I can suggest is that you read a couple of books or view a couple DVD's and select a "program" to follow. In any training endeavor, having a...

birddogger2

They never live long enough it seems and it never gets any easier to say goodbye. I hope it never does get any easier for me. The pictures you shared capture your Star as a big, strong, beautiful and proud hunting companion. I'd bet she could cover some ground if she needed to. Thank you for sharing...

birddogger2

New member here looking for some feedback. I just got a 2.5 yr old male Labrador was sold to me as a started gun dog. Breeder told me he just wasn’t able to work the way he wanted him to and there was no problems with him. Which is fine for me because I won’t be hunting just wanted a dog that was a...

birddogger2

I do generally carry a bird bag on me in the training field. I have been known to slip a pigeon out of the bag and let it go from behind my back, so the dog only sees it flying away. The answer is YES, the typically bird gets tossed out of a bag... unless you have a loaded second launcher or loaded ...

birddogger2

Bring the dog in cross wind and stop them the minute they turn to the scent. X2 on this. It is absolutely critical that you launch the bird and pop the checkcord to freeze the dog in place the very instant the dog signals that it detects bird scent. DO NOT wait for the dog to establish point. Befor...

birddogger2

I think they are basically equal in terms of quality and reliability. I have Dogra launchers and the oldest one is at least 20 years old and still works fine. I have changed batteries on all of those components over time and it is a snap. I think the biggest difference is how you load the trap. The ...

birddogger2

I use Ivermectin which is what is in Heartgard. Ivermectin is effective in eliminating and preventing heartworms ,but not much else at the miniscule dosages that are in the commercial products. I use a much higher dose which I believe is effective in keeping things like mites and such, at bay. The c...

birddogger2

I use a choke collar ad a short solid core Check cord.15 or 20 ft. Make sure you have the collar on the dog properly. The sliding end should come over the dog's neck with the ring on the side nearest your leg at heel. Snap the check cord in the loose end. Your choke chain should be short enough so ...

birddogger2

If you want to re-use your birds, there are a couple things you can do. I sometimes re-use my pigeons or chuckar and years back would re-use quail on non-home grounds. At home I leave a callback pen and about half of them come back. I typically do not allow my dogs to retrieve during training sessi...

birddogger2

If you want to re-use your birds, there are a couple things you can do. I sometimes re-use my pigeons or chuckar and years back would re-use quail on non-home grounds. At home I leave a callback pen and about half of them come back. I typically do not allow my dogs to retrieve during training sessio...

birddogger2

Many different schools of thought on this. I personally do not believe in "introducing" puppies to gamebirds... with ONE exception. The average decently bred bird dog comes out of the birth canal with more than enough drive, desire and intensity than the average hunter can possibly use. Puppies like...

birddogger2

Is the NC at Ames Plantation run by American Field? Is any trial they post on their website/paper give points for the qualifying? Do these trials say something like "An American Field Event"? Just trying to figure it out as I'm not finding any info...Thx! The American Field does not run trials(exce...

birddogger2

I also absolutely disagree with not training a pointing dog to sit on command. First you are not training the dog to sit, he knows how to do that. Second if this dog is a house dog you need some form of control, "sit" is the easiest way to do that without stressing the dog. Third When you train the...

birddogger2

I checked about a half dozen training books that I have and there was nothing specifically in any of them that addressed your spousal concerns. I do suggest that you INSIST on this ONE training practice being observed by ANYONE and everyone who interacts with your dog. Give ONE command to the dog......

birddogger2

My first suggestion is a simple one... keep feeding Purina Pro Plan, but feed less. It is a high quality feed. One of the very best. Obviously, if the dog does not need all the calories it is currently consuming, cutting back is the easiest solution and the least stressful on the dog's system. It is...

birddogger2

Whats the difference between wild birds and a bird in a remote release ...nothing. You definitely don't need to jump to wild birds before being steady to a bird in a release. That's what a remote release is for: to be in control of when bird flushes(act like a wild bird), and to be able to know whe...

birddogger2

First and foremost...it will pass. Sharon gave you the very best advice on the subject, which was to issue the command and if the dog does not comply...say nothing but just go and get him. Then do a little drill to reinforce and end with praise and maybe a treat. If he goes in to "fear" mode...DO NO...

birddogger2

Doesn't sound too promising to me. It could be that the breeder already has the litter spoken for and a waiting list. With the tremendous influx of new hunters, a breed like Brittanys, or GSP's which is always in demand, will be even more so. Something a bit different happens to me all the time with...

birddogger2

I have pointers, so...pretty much all white hair, no matter what. However I have seen the same thing with my horses, who are NOT white. In areas where there the hair and skin has been abraded, the hair has come back white. I understand that if you treat the exposed, affected area with an antibiotic ...

birddogger2

Thank you Tim.

Your words ring true for anyone who has walked behind(or sat in a blind next to) a gundog.

I'll raise a glass tonight to all the ones I remember.

RayG

birddogger2

I think the most common handler error is lack of preparation/planning. Many handlers let their dog loose without a plan for what to do after the first field or first turn. Many handlers do not know the course and how it flows when the wind is in one direction or another. The pro has intimate knowled...

birddogger2

Years ago my dad's choice of hunting vehicles was a full sized Chevy station wagon. He had several over the years. There was an open grate separating the dog compartment from the passenger compartment. We made several trips home with all the windows open in the dead of winter because of what the dog...

birddogger2

I don't know where in VA you are or what manner of dog you are looking for... and I don't know what he has, but one of the very best who has had some dandy GSP's is Bruce Shaffer of Almost Heaven GSP's in West Virginia. He is also a top shelf trainer. I'd be willing to bet that if he does not have w...

birddogger2

My guys are in 5X10 enclosures and they do fine. I use Dogloo igloos which are fine as is, unless one of them decides to be a chewer. Then I install steel J channel around the opening with pop rivets and put some pointed sheet metal screws through the channel facing out. That tends to slow the chewi...

birddogger2

The behaviors I feel are crucial to a good canine upland partner are to come, go away and stop...all on command. Slightly less important, but very necessary for good teamwork is the willingness to turn on command or on signal. When I want a dog to come, I want it to come in ...all the way to me..and...

birddogger2

I cannot attest to the virtues or vices of any breed of dog in the house, as mine are all outside dogs. The only time they are in the house is when they are puppies in the winter and when they are injured and need care. I suspect adult pointers, as a general rule will make pretty decent house dogs a...

birddogger2

Mike - Awesome looking little guy. I hope he is everything you hoped for and if he is, I'll bet you get out with him more than a few times a year. FWIW, some folks change feeds in the summer to a less potent formula. NONE of the pro trainers I know(and I know several), do that. They just feed less. ...

birddogger2

Garrison - Thank you. Well said. If I had just one dog...it would be on Purina Pro Plan Performance(30/20). No question in my mind. Purina is available anywhere in the country and is one of the very few feeds that are backed by company sponsored animal research and the additional cost to feed just o...

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