Search found 510 matches

by Rick Hall
Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:30 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: duck hunting
Replies: 9
Views: 3893

Re: duck hunting

My Brittanys (and setters) have hunted waterfowl, as well as upland stuff, and the current one has done so at a pretty advanced level working for a commercial lodge. Had to vest him when it was cold, but that was his only concession. It's important that my dogs be calm and steady and handle well eno...
by Rick Hall
Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:17 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Ivomec Continued
Replies: 79
Views: 93303

Re: Ivomec Continued

Been using Ivomec given orally at the dosage Ezzy posted (or a bit higher) for years, and our fleas must be tougher than his. Try not to leave a tick on a dog long enough to know if its been poisoned, so I can't speak as confidently about whether it affects them.
by Rick Hall
Tue May 25, 2010 5:34 am
Forum: Training
Topic: How do you release your dog from a point?
Replies: 17
Views: 6361

Re: How do you release your dog from a point?

Verbal or whistle release.
by Rick Hall
Fri May 21, 2010 11:24 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: blank guns
Replies: 16
Views: 9432

Re: blank guns

Probably just went after the biggest market.
by Rick Hall
Thu May 20, 2010 5:14 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: blank guns
Replies: 16
Views: 9432

Re: blank guns

I've a NEF .22 that may outlive me and shoots low powered Ramset blanks cheaply enough, but if I were starting fresh, reports from retrieverites who've already run thousands of primers through theirs would have me sold on Gun-X . Well built and much more convenient that NEF's design.
by Rick Hall
Thu May 13, 2010 4:58 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: conditioning
Replies: 9
Views: 5428

Re: conditioning

You can road the dog on foot, make yourself a harness , install a bungie in there and lean back and let him pull against you walking.....both of you will get in shape. You can then also free run him some and swim him in the summer. We don't use a bungee in its rigging but road on foot. Just snap on...
by Rick Hall
Mon May 03, 2010 5:24 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: steady to wing or shot?
Replies: 33
Views: 9149

Re: steady to wing or shot?

George Bird Evans wrote something along the lines of, "Having had a (completely) steady dog, I wouldn't want to do without." And I'm wit' him. For too many years and too many pointing dogs, I thought stopping at staunch (steady until I flushed or commanded the dog to) was the way to go "to prevent l...
by Rick Hall
Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:38 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Off Season Project
Replies: 4
Views: 1697

Re: Off Season Project

Neat!
by Rick Hall
Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:05 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Large Breed Puppy or Regular Puppy for Lab
Replies: 25
Views: 8134

Re: Large Breed Puppy or Regular Puppy for Lab

Here's some science on the subject: Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs You may note that Labradors are specifically cited as one of the studied breeds in which rapid growth was associated with skeletal abnormality. I see I'd not proofed the link in the above p...
by Rick Hall
Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:36 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Large Breed Puppy or Regular Puppy for Lab
Replies: 25
Views: 8134

Re: Large Breed Puppy or Regular Puppy for Lab

Here's some science on the subject: Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs

You may note that Labradors are specifically cited as one of the studied breeds in which rapid growth was associated with skeletal abnormality.
by Rick Hall
Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: non-insulated or 200g thinsulate
Replies: 15
Views: 6164

Re: non-insulated or 200g thinsulate

I must be a lot lazier than most here, because I'd not carry the extra weight of an insulated boot on an upland hunt unless it was serious cold. Though I've been living in South Louisiana for 20-some years, I don't find it all uncomfortable to hunt Appalachian grouse in waterproofed uninsulated leat...
by Rick Hall
Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:07 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: steel shot
Replies: 23
Views: 8056

Re: steel shot

Though I grew up shooting lead, I never got mad at steel. And though I've owned a 3 1/2" SBE since the second year Heckler Koch was importing them, I never learned to like 3 1/2" shells for anything. Started out running 3 1/2" BBBs through the big Benelli for geese, but soon settled on 3" steel 1s f...
by Rick Hall
Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dumb question...What does style mean to you?
Replies: 20
Views: 8293

Re: Dumb question...What does style mean to you?

Best definition I've seen is, "the manifestation of desire". Rick, There is an implication inherent in the phrasing of the original post and that is, looking at any particular breed of gun dog at work, in your opinion what criteria do you use to determine whether you think a dog has good or great s...
by Rick Hall
Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dumb question...What does style mean to you?
Replies: 20
Views: 8293

Re: Dumb question...What does style mean to you?

Best definition I've seen is, "the manifestation of desire".
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:54 am
Forum: Training
Topic: adding style
Replies: 10
Views: 3842

Re: adding style

The best definition of "style" I've seen is, "the manefestation of desire". So if you want a dog to finish retrieves with style, give him reason to be anxious to finish the way you want him to.
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:44 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Glycocharge
Replies: 17
Views: 8121

Re: Glycocharge

The later portion of this link, http://www.purinaproclub.com/sportingdog/Pro%20Plan%20Sporting%20Dogs%20-%20Carbohydrate%20Replenishment.htm addresses the science behind Glycocharge. Wouldn't do much for weekend dogs, but having used it with dogs worked hard on a daily basis, I would not be without ...
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:29 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pigeon Care Question
Replies: 3
Views: 1623

Re: Pigeon Care Question

I give the "multi-mix" from Global Pigeon Supply roughly every six months and when introducing new birds to the loft, or if I see signs of worms or illness, and that's been all for years - knock wood.
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 20, 2009 1:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Marsh hay, anybody have any; coming south?
Replies: 5
Views: 2537

Re: Marsh hay, anybody have any; coming south?

I know nothing of "marsh hay," but sure was impressed by how well hay a SD outfitter called "prairie grass" held up in the boxes of dogs transported from there to South Louisiana. Beat any bedding I've seen.
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 20, 2009 1:33 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Feeding for hunts
Replies: 19
Views: 5340

Re: Feeding for hunts

Here are links to some articles on the subject that may be of interest: http://www.purinaproclub.com/sportingdog/Pro%20Plan%20Sporting%20Dogs%20-%20Performance%20dog%20feeding.htm , http://www.purinaproclub.com/sportingdog/Pro%20Plan%20Sporting%20Dogs%20-%20Canine%20Athletes%20and%20Carbohydrate%20M...
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: HELP!!!!!
Replies: 8
Views: 2458

Re: HELP!!!!!

Perhaps this link will be helpful: Teaching Labs to Point
by Rick Hall
Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:45 am
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Using Gundog and Terrier together
Replies: 19
Views: 5674

Re: Using Gundog and Terrier together

Your use of Ted brought back good memories of my ex-wife's Westie, Bill, who I brought on as a flushing and retrieving dog in an effort to lure his mistress afield. If one was patient, Bill would work woodcock well enough, but his specialty was pushing rabbits and pheasants from the labyrinth of mul...
by Rick Hall
Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:39 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Member's Mark Exceed Recall
Replies: 158
Views: 62705

Re: Member's Mark Exceed Recall

The Exceed is more like Pro Plan Performance with the ingredients they are using. That has been said here before. Not so. Had my sweetie pick up a bag of Exceed earlier this Summer and was disappointed to find that, contrary to Internet-wisdom, the formula was not PP's. (Those here who know how my ...
by Rick Hall
Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:29 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Cut Pad
Replies: 3
Views: 2312

Re: Cut Pad

Fwiw, a long-gone dog pro turned me on to a feed store product called "Cut Heal" for treating pad cuts, and I've used it with apparent success for decades. There's now a newer version called "Pad Heal" that is supposed to toughen some, too, but I've not tried it. A bottle of Cut Heal lasts a very lo...
by Rick Hall
Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Mike Lardy DVD
Replies: 4
Views: 2357

Re: Mike Lardy DVD

It's my understanding that Lardy is offering a new, updated Total Retriever Training DVD and manual package, and if I took a fit to join the US retriever training mainstream, that would be my choice. (What I've seen of Graham's "Smartworks" stuff puts me to sleep.)
by Rick Hall
Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:35 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Conditioning (For Humans)
Replies: 55
Views: 17766

Re: Conditioning (For Humans)

djswizz wrote:The point is this, if you run for minimum 30 minutes a day, you will be in better shape than 90% of the world.
"Well, maybe," thinks this life-long runner, as he munches a second helping of chips...
by Rick Hall
Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:41 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What's the Difference?
Replies: 23
Views: 8143

Re: What's the Difference?

Dogs are not cats. Cats are dedicated carnivores. Dogs are not. Cats have short intestinal tracts evolved mainly for meat digestion. Dogs have longer intestinal tracts evolved for greater varieties of foods.
by Rick Hall
Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:44 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What's the Difference?
Replies: 23
Views: 8143

Re: What's the Difference?

That's funny.
by Rick Hall
Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Puppy training
Replies: 9
Views: 3091

Re: Puppy training

Personally I'd wait until next Spring. Getting introduced to very cold water is not a way to start a pup off in in my opinion. ( I always try to buy a spring pup if possible.) What's wrong with the bathtub in the middle of winter? :) I'd be a whole lot more inclined to introduce pup to October wate...
by Rick Hall
Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:39 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Barbed Wire
Replies: 25
Views: 9543

Re: Barbed Wire

Dealing with barbed wire is just another part of both my pointing and retrieving pups' socialization process. We start working around and through it early and often, and, knock wood, at ten gun dogs and counting, we've yet to have a serious barbed wire injury.
by Rick Hall
Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:36 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: K9 Advantix???
Replies: 33
Views: 9866

Re: K9 Advantix???

I'd sure not count on Advantix for heartworm prevention. Dogs using it down here still get covered up in mosquitoes. It may help with 'em, but it won't hold them all off for long.
by Rick Hall
Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:22 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Bulking Up for Winter
Replies: 12
Views: 4697

Re: Bulking Up for Winter

My 21", 38lb Brittany and I are firmly in the fit and vested camp.
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:20 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: I would like your opinion!
Replies: 6
Views: 1982

Re: I would like your opinion!

This die-hard Chessie man agrees with that crumby Lab guy, slistoe. For most practical working purpose, differences within each of the two breeds are greater than those between them. Pick whichever breed happens to float your boat - but choose the breeding within it with great care.
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:11 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: How much do you feed during hunting season?
Replies: 22
Views: 10843

Re: How much do you feed during hunting season?

My, but we're digging for something to expound on. Hopefully, those who actually followed the thread and read the links understood that the time it takes to replenish glycogen is what becomes an issue when dogs are worked hard for days on end.
by Rick Hall
Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:09 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: pointing lab question
Replies: 34
Views: 10014

Re: pointing lab question

But he wished I would have. Had to be broken off fur like most dogs that aren't used for it.
by Rick Hall
Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:17 am
Forum: Training
Topic: pointing lab question
Replies: 34
Views: 10014

Re: pointing lab question

And labs are the only dogs that can run a blind :roll: Is the German Master Hunter Exam (VGB) still allowing rock chucking to guide dogs on 20 meter blinds? Think I may have heard they've now doubled that distance but kept the rocks, and believe their US cousins at NAVHDA require a whopping 80 yard...
by Rick Hall
Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:12 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: pointing lab question
Replies: 34
Views: 10014

Re: pointing lab question

Thought everyone knew a dog has to carry a fox over a fence to be versatile. What Lab could accomplish such a feat???
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:15 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Member's Mark Exceed Recall
Replies: 158
Views: 62705

Re: Member's Mark Exceed Recall

Have only heard of it on the Internet. Know no users.
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:24 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Member's Mark Exceed Recall
Replies: 158
Views: 62705

Re: Member's Mark Exceed Recall

Rick What do you feed during season? Over the course of a number of years and dogs, we've tried 30/20s from Pro Plan, Eukanuba, Arkat, Diamond, PMI Exclusive, Maximum Nutrition (Walmart), Exceed and a feed store label, and have settled on Pro Plan Performance as the one they've done best on. So tha...
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 01, 2009 5:02 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Best way to treat cracked/broken pads?
Replies: 36
Views: 15211

Re: Best way to treat cracked/broken pads?

I use it, or a clone, on my hands during the season to help prevent cracking from marsh work, and unless you really glop it on, it soaks into the skin pretty quickly.
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:49 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Member's Mark Exceed Recall
Replies: 158
Views: 62705

Re: Member's Mark Exceed Recall

Purina One is appreciably more expensive than Exceed, but, at least here, most grocery stores carry it, so convenience is a consideration. Four of my dogs have been fed Purina One chicken and rice 28/16 in the off season, and all have done very well on it.
by Rick Hall
Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:41 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Pigeons--coccideosis?
Replies: 5
Views: 2008

Re: Pigeons--coccideosis?

Coccideosis causes wasting, so whether your birds are extremely thin should be a clue. Though worms do the same, only slower. Fish, as in tropical/pet store, "Zwoll" is a handy to find treatment we've used with success for a preserve bird outbreak, but we were winging it on dosage. Now I keep "Multi...
by Rick Hall
Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:18 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method
Replies: 95
Views: 46739

Re: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method

I searched those books and both of them are very rare, showing up on Amazon, but from select sellers and for several hundred dollars a copy. Took a moment to Google Evan's and Long's books and found "Troubles With Bird Dogs" used but shipped for under $50 here: http://www.bestwebbuys.com/Troubles_w...
by Rick Hall
Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:53 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Question?
Replies: 13
Views: 3074

Re: Question?

I've zero first hand experience with ringworm, but a vet I guided who mistook a slick (not crusty, like your pup's skin0 round scar on my dog's muzzle for ringworm told me to put a good women's yeast infection product on it. 'Course, given his misdiagnosis, the Rx could be suspect, as well... I'd ta...
by Rick Hall
Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Duck training a week in
Replies: 7
Views: 2156

Re: Duck training a week in

There comes a time when you are training where you want to start looking for the dog but you dont cuz you have faith she will have the duck. Prior to the now-old-fart's becoming deaf, I would often take the "spotted Lab" Brittany when we duck hunted hellish spots for cripple recovery, like large fi...
by Rick Hall
Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:36 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method
Replies: 95
Views: 46739

Re: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method

Sounds like that's the case. Sorry.
by Rick Hall
Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:55 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Parvo Puppy?
Replies: 21
Views: 8842

Re: Parvo Puppy?

Over the years, we've had two such pups: one that survived parvo and the other closely-related corona(?) virus. Niether showed signs of after-effect, and one lived 14 years and the other 18.
by Rick Hall
Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:31 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method
Replies: 95
Views: 46739

Re: Critiquing The Delmar Smith Method

I'd strongly recommend Evan's "Troubles With Bird Dogs" above all others for first time pointing dog trainers, as it's geared toward their situation, easy reading and quite thorough. But I would also highly recommend Long's little book as sort of a troubleshooting reference. Those, plus Jim Marti's ...
by Rick Hall
Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:18 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: What's the best game meat you have ever tasted?
Replies: 40
Views: 20539

Re: What's the best game meat you have ever tasted?

My experience with game meat is fairly broad, and the only thing I've prefered to medium rare woodcock breast fillets has been their legs.
by Rick Hall
Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:26 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: For hard to keep dogs.
Replies: 131
Views: 28435

Re: For hard to keep dogs.

Are there any whole foods that would do the same thing? Sincere question. Probably not as well, as I wouldn't think them as quickly digestible, perhaps resulting in less than optimal timing. But that's just some guy on the Internet speculating. Do know with certainty that a PhD trained, board certi...