Search found 2714 matches

by shags
Mon Feb 06, 2023 4:38 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Masses on Sides
Replies: 10
Views: 3478

Re: Masses on Sides

First thing I would think about is awns.
http://www.meanseeds.com/

Why doesn't your vet excise them or biopsy them, since they are so persistent?
by shags
Sat Dec 17, 2022 5:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog collar
Replies: 10
Views: 4326

Re: Dog collar

Biothane is webbing coated with flexible plastic. Great stuff! It doesn't absorb odors - even skunk if not a direct hit - you can wipe it clean, it lasts a long time, and comes in a zillion colors. There's also beta biothane, that has a matte finish and looks a bit more like leather. You can make ju...
by shags
Fri Dec 16, 2022 6:17 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Construction noises and puppy
Replies: 1
Views: 2074

Re: Construction noises and puppy

In general I wouldn't worry about it. Dogs need to be exposed to weird sounds and sights so they don't spend their whole lives freaked out about every new thing they hear or see. However, if there is one particular noise that has the pup shivering and cowering, I'd try to distract him; as in if he's...
by shags
Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Place Command
Replies: 3
Views: 2802

Re: Place Command

Pretty much the same as Garrison here. I used the command "mat" and put them in the plastic airline kennel*. They could sit or stand around in there as long as they want, but no barking or whining allowed**. I don't like having the crate in the house, and the goal was to have them go lay down on the...
by shags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Winter Training/Training in the Snow
Replies: 16
Views: 5584

Re: Winter Training/Training in the Snow

Dogs can be perfectly mannerly, obedient and retain all their confidence, independence, and drive. Just don't be a heavy handed jerk of a trainer :) Or, get into setters, they're perfect right out of the whelping box :mrgreen:
by shags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 3:59 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training to back and silhouette
Replies: 12
Views: 3983

Re: Training to back and silhouette

We've done similar to ckirsch, set up the silhouette around a corner or on the other side of a rise or hill. If there was help around, they'd 'handle' the silhouette and flush, then the dog's handler would heel off and the helper set the silhouette down. We had two, one a long tail and the other a s...
by shags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:57 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Winter Training/Training in the Snow
Replies: 16
Views: 5584

Re: Winter Training/Training in the Snow

I think your manners training sounds good. For a house dog, it'll pay off big time.
Figure the hours spent as a companion over 13-14 years and it's so nice to have a mannerly unobnoxious dog.
Enjoy the ride with your pup, it sounds like she's a nice one.
by shags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:22 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Winter Training/Training in the Snow
Replies: 16
Views: 5584

Re: Winter Training/Training in the Snow

Are you talking about a dusting of snow, or is all your cover under lots of it? I think so much depends on your expertise as a trainer, and where your dog is in the training progression. If your cover is buried, how much sight pointing over scent pointing do you want to engage in? How are you planni...
by shags
Thu Nov 10, 2022 11:31 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

It's easy to increase water consumption by wetting kibble with warm water. You can get it pretty soupy. Splitting the ration into morning and afternoon/evening meals gives X2 the opportunity. My big dog won't necessarily go to his water bowl after exercise, but he'll happily glug down water poured f...
by shags
Tue Nov 08, 2022 1:14 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

Why grain free? The Purina Urinary health diet has corn and corn gluten meal.
Watch out for other ingredients in grain free foods, a while back there was talk of potatoes and peas inhibiting uptake of l-carnitine which lead to major heart problems.
by shags
Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:10 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Struvite Crystals In Urine
Replies: 23
Views: 5858

Re: Struvite Crystals In Urine

I'm sorry you're dealing with this especially so soon after losing your other dog. It just stinks. If it were my dog, I'd give treatment a chance and see what happens before making any big decisions about the dog's future. Struvite is commonly thought to be a by product of UTI, specifically two diff...
by shags
Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How far do y'all let pups chase?
Replies: 28
Views: 8955

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

How about a bell?
Or putting the gps collar around her belly?
by shags
Mon Oct 03, 2022 9:26 am
Forum: Brags
Topic: 8 year old and the wonder lead
Replies: 1
Views: 2256

Re: 8 year old and the wonder lead

Better be careful...pretty soon she'll want a pup of her very own :D

Thanks for the cuteness.
by shags
Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP Temper Tantrums
Replies: 12
Views: 3981

Re: GSP Temper Tantrums

There might be some disparity between what you consider plenty of exercise, and what she thinks is plenty. It sounds like she needs more. What does your hour of playtime involve? If it's rolling a ball across the family room floor for her to chase, it's obviously not enough. If it's turning her out ...
by shags
Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:22 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: This puppy is AWESOME!
Replies: 7
Views: 2948

Re: This puppy is AWESOME!

Best wishes for a long and happy life with Nelly. Looks like you're off to a great start.
by shags
Thu Sep 01, 2022 5:24 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Am I being too hard? Not hard enough?
Replies: 14
Views: 4537

Re: Am I being too hard? Not hard enough?

Sounds to me like you let your frustration get the better of you, and you lost your cool. Not a good thing for someone who aspires (I assume) to be training a bird dog. Just put your towel up for a month or two and let the pup grow up a little. Save the severe corrections, or in this case, punishmen...
by shags
Mon Aug 22, 2022 1:17 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Skeet/Trap + Training a bird dog :)
Replies: 8
Views: 3949

Re: Skeet/Trap + Training a bird dog :)

I wouldn't do it; seen several dogs like VonZ's that are good with guns and gunfire in a hunting or trialing situation, but not good with otherwise. I wouldn't chance pushing a dog over the cliff to gunshy. All it takes is one incident, and we don't know when/where/why. Your dog goes nuts with gunfi...
by shags
Wed Aug 10, 2022 11:30 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Older dogs
Replies: 5
Views: 3745

Re: Training Older dogs

If I can do it with what I had, anybody can :D A couple of bench bred Irish Setters, aged 7-8 years. Got them finding birds and steady to wing and shot. Prior, they'd never even been off lead outside the back yard. Just start like you would a young dog. Give them a chance to realize that there are b...
by shags
Thu Jun 30, 2022 1:32 pm
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: Be careful
Replies: 4
Views: 3089

Re: Be careful

Thank you, Sharon.
Xylitol lurks in weird places and some aren't labeled low sugar or sugar free. I've found in vitamin melts and gummies, and in toothpaste and mouthwash. Read the labels on anything that might go into dogs' mouths.
by shags
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Gsp terrified of thunder storms
Replies: 5
Views: 2895

Re: Gsp terrified of thunder storms

Thundershirt, and if you have any advance warning, a tranq from your vet. A half dose of trazodone was just the ticket for our old girl; she could eat and drink and get around just fine, but was drowsy and chill enough to snooze or just not care about the noise.
by shags
Wed Jun 22, 2022 1:16 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Anyone been to a Ronnie Smith seminar?
Replies: 13
Views: 4734

Re: Anyone been to a Ronnie Smith seminar?

For me it would depend on which day you are able to attend. I went to a Smith seminar a while back and it was worth every penny. Some of what they teach=do wasn't up my alley, but overall it was great. On Friday evening there was a loose sort of get together with attendees, no dogs. Saturday was a h...
by shags
Mon May 23, 2022 9:19 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Trials
Replies: 16
Views: 6415

Re: Trials

There is a standardization. You only need to pay attention to which governing body issued the pedigree. On FDSB pedigrees CH designates a field championship win. They don't have bench championships so no CH as a bench champion. Don't know if this will change under UKC rules or not. For AKC issued pe...
by shags
Wed May 18, 2022 5:17 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Rescued Boykin- 3-4 year old Male
Replies: 9
Views: 5027

Re: Rescued Boykin- 3-4 year old Malef

Congrats on the new dog. Older dogs are started as if they are puppies, but you have to remember that they will progress a bit faster in some things, and maybe a little slower in others depending on their past experiences. It's not a big deal, just adjust as needed. There are lots of good training b...
by shags
Tue May 10, 2022 3:11 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Trials
Replies: 16
Views: 6415

Re: Trials

Forgot to mention that there are short Youtube videos for different trials, to give you an overall idea simce written rules and regs leave a lot to a newb's imagination. Search bird dog field trials there. A member here, Skydance or Skydancer does some (American Field now under UKC); they're pretty ...
by shags
Tue May 10, 2022 1:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Trials
Replies: 16
Views: 6415

Re: Trials

There are so many different trial formats that your best bet may be to do some googling and finding the rules etc of the event you want to observe. If it's an AKC trial, you can find the rules and regulations on their website. American Field horseback under UKC, you can check out via The Amateur Fie...
by shags
Tue May 03, 2022 10:40 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Itching - Food Allergy?
Replies: 7
Views: 3259

Re: Itching - Food Allergy?

Try Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach. It's salmon and rice; priced the same as 30/20 at our local TSC. I switched over because my old guy started barfing the 30/20 he'd been on for years. Both my dogs are doing great on it. The younger dog doesn't have any skin/stomach problems, it's just easier ...
by shags
Tue Apr 12, 2022 6:17 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Collar Breaking A Dog
Replies: 20
Views: 6820

Re: Collar Breaking A Dog

I remember when collar settings were On and Off. Then they went to High and Low. Today's collars have so many settings that some of the lower numbers are barely perceptible, so maybe a 4 on a new one isn't like a 4 on an older model like mine. Test the collar on the inside of your forearm instead of...
by shags
Fri Mar 25, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Too much tracking for young pup?
Replies: 11
Views: 4439

Re: Too much tracking for young pup?

You can search events in your area and use the secretaries as contacts for club training days, members who might be willing to get together with you to train, or otherwise help. Look at NAVHDA ( North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association), NSTRA (National Shoot to Retrieve Association), NBHA (...
by shags
Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Recall worries during na test
Replies: 13
Views: 7908

Re: Recall worries during na test

What do you mean by he takes off? Does he just continue to do his own thing, like hunting to the front; or does he run away entirely? I've always started using the ecollar as a long arm of the law at the time my pups began ignoring a recall command. If they didn't respond immediately they got a litt...
by shags
Mon Mar 14, 2022 7:24 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 4 month old training issues
Replies: 14
Views: 5566

Re: 4 month old training issues

@cjhills maybe what you're missing is a check cord 8) The best pigeon pole set up I've seen is in a grassy field. The pole is 12-15 ft tall and the cord for the pigeons long, 25-30 feet at least. The young dog is on a cc and is restrained if he bumps the bird. This particular trainer didn't use corr...
by shags
Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:34 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Roading A Dog/FHO Therapy
Replies: 8
Views: 4377

Re: Roading A Dog/FHO Therapy

Sometimes pairing them with a dog that pulls well gets them pulling as well.
Check how the harness fits, that the front strap doesn't slip up too far.
by shags
Sun Jan 23, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: joint care
Replies: 27
Views: 8788

Re: joint care

The head vet of ortho at Ohio State recommended adding fish oil to my dog's dinner. I bought it at the drugstore and cut the capsules open and stirred it into his kibble ( be careful cutting them...if the oil squirts out and hits your clothes, you'll need to change :? ) Can you find a drugstore bran...
by shags
Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:32 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not so good with strangers
Replies: 12
Views: 3987

Re: GSP not so good with strangers

A dog that is barking and lunging at people needs more than a simple obedience command. He needs to understand that he is not in charge, he is not the boss, and he doesn't get to decide who is allowed to be in the house. The OP states that his dog is pretty good with obedience commands unless the do...
by shags
Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Bird dog not doing what the book says , don't worry! Memory of Trekmoor.
Replies: 4
Views: 3463

Re: Bird dog not doing what the book says , don't worry! Memory of Trekmoor.

Thanks for the video and the words of wisdom, a good remimder.
Merry Christmas!
by shags
Sat Dec 18, 2021 5:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH
Replies: 66
Views: 27576

Re: AKC Hunter titles: JH/SH/MH

Mosby, Many of the V breeders I know work hard at producing dual dogs. There's a good chance that a pup from a litter as described would be a decent bird dog. Depending where you are, you might find a few hunt tests locally to view for yourself. You can find them on the AKC website. Be careful thoug...
by shags
Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Million dollar question! Setter or gsp need some help.
Replies: 31
Views: 8388

Re: Million dollar question! Setter or gsp need some help.

I have a Berg Bros setter and would get another in a heartbeat. He was shipped from the kennel as a puppy, no problems whatsoever. And he's been a dream dog all his life. Well, most of it anyway :P The red dog Bergs aren't the same as the white dog Bergs, but there must be some kind of lucky charm w...
by shags
Wed Nov 03, 2021 12:59 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Random Vaccine Stuff
Replies: 10
Views: 4332

Re: Random Vaccine Stuff

Here is my vet's test for whether to vaccinate or not.... You gonna cry if the dog gets sick and dies? My guys are exposed to lots of wildlife like raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes and once in a while I can see that some are sick. They aren't good at social distancing or masking, so the boys get ...
by shags
Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Tail-end Trauma?
Replies: 6
Views: 3327

Re: Tail-end Trauma?

My dogs, every single one I ever owned, would never dare to growl or bite me. They night try it once after the baby puppy stage then they get a Come to Jesus session.
No dog teeth on people skin, ever! That goes for threatening it, too.
by shags
Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:56 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Pointer Tail
Replies: 8
Views: 3232

Re: English Pointer Tail

What's going on with it? Is he pulling it, is it sickle, or what? How to fix depends on what the problem is. FWIW, tail set means where on the dog's body the tail sits; you see some dogs with a tail set high on the back and others where the tail starts farther down over their rump. You can't change ...
by shags
Sun Aug 15, 2021 1:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Setter breeders in NC & VA (& maybe WI & MN)
Replies: 5
Views: 2306

Re: English Setter breeders in NC & VA (& maybe WI & MN)

Newwood, Berg brothers are now Ironfire Setters and are located in Colorado. Red and English Setters. They do a very good job, have been breeding forever and are contientious breeders. I used to train with them. Very nice Dogs. They do still have Some MN.Connections Through Roger. You can't do bett...
by shags
Sat Aug 14, 2021 1:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: English Setter breeders in NC & VA (& maybe WI & MN)
Replies: 5
Views: 2306

Re: English Setter breeders in NC & VA (& maybe WI & MN)

Berg Bros. in Minnesota.
I'd get another dog from them in a heartbeat.
by shags
Sun Aug 08, 2021 5:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Breeding Accident
Replies: 16
Views: 4277

Re: Breeding Accident

My choice would be to get the dog spayed. You planned on doing it anyway, this incident just pushes the date up. Then spay the setter and avoid another mess. IME keeping intact males and females in the same household requires a lot of diligence and/or a bombproof kennel set-up, especially when there...
by shags
Tue Jul 27, 2021 4:42 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Help with Garmin Astro
Replies: 3
Views: 2208

Re: Help with Garmin Astro

Thanks to you guys, got it done :D

I was looking for something like "change dog name" on the menu, and had forgotten about the enter button.
by shags
Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:40 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Leg Surgery
Replies: 6
Views: 3966

Re: Leg Surgery

I would show that page to the vet and take his/her advice on it. Are you reasonably near a vet school? This info about a Blue Buffalo study came into my mailbox the other day. Maybe it's available to you. https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/cto/clinical-trials/pain-management-dogs-undergoing-knee-surgery Good l...
by shags
Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:41 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Help with Garmin Astro
Replies: 3
Views: 2208

Help with Garmin Astro

My collars are (were) named Blue and Orange. The handheld stopped recognizing Orange, so I erased it and reinstalled it. But Astro wants to call it Dog. Can anyone tell me how to get to the screen that allows renaming collars?
by shags
Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:37 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

We use a Sawzall or a circular saw to cut stall mats. Just don't plan on using the blade for anything picky again. Ray, it seems to me I read something a few years ago about the cedar curls being toxic to dogs. I don't know the particulars about if that is true or not, but I'd be Googling before I i...
by shags
Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:29 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Leg Surgery
Replies: 6
Views: 3966

Re: Leg Surgery

Can you clarify what kind of leg surgery your dog needs?
by shags
Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:43 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Running with a GSP?
Replies: 29
Views: 8849

Re: Running with a GSP?

Your pup is a family pet and not into competing or working at this time, correct? Why put her on the clock at all? There isn't any magic number for dogs' exercise requirements - some will go all day, and some just aren't all that ambitious. At my house, the dogs get toilet breaks as appropriate to a...
by shags
Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:50 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Some good ideas already. One of the dogs scratches through the box's flooring - I've had to replace the plywood twice in four years. Wondering if he'd scratch thru the horse mat as well. Also unsure that those matts offer enough cushion although they's be better than plywood. Worth a try for the $6...
by shags
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:07 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Kennel Bedding
Replies: 27
Views: 8710

Re: Kennel Bedding

Have you tried horse stall mats? If you cut them to fit snug into the dog box, it's pretty difficult for the dog to get a grip on to start the chewing.