Search found 228 matches

by Sprig
Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Labrador for bird hunting?
Replies: 22
Views: 8036

Re: Labrador for bird hunting?

labs can be awesome bird dogs, especially for upland. i hunt blue grouse, pheasants as well as waterfowl with mine and they do very very well at both. its all about getting the right dog and then training but labs are super dogs for upland and waterfowl
by Sprig
Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Issues with 8 month old GSP
Replies: 29
Views: 8068

Re: Training Issues with 8 month old GSP

the best thing you can do is listen and follow your trainer. if you cut and paste stuff from outside sources into the training you might disrupt the trainers program. there are many successful programs to train a pointing dog but the only work if you follow the program fully.
by Sprig
Sat Jun 04, 2011 11:35 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Hematoma
Replies: 11
Views: 4282

Re: Hematoma

man, i feel for ya on the hematoma, i have had to deal with that a few times over the years.
by Sprig
Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Real Bird Bumper
Replies: 21
Views: 7200

Re: Real Bird Bumper

I guess it is one of those things one would have to try and see first hand. I think he needs to be more descriptive with his write up and video on why it is supposed to be better. It didnt convince me based soley from the web site that it is better, it really didnt say why it is better, but I would ...
by Sprig
Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: SportDOG ProHunter 2400 vs Tri-Tronics Sport Junior Dog
Replies: 9
Views: 3871

Re: SportDOG ProHunter 2400 vs Tri-Tronics Sport Junior Dog

i like sportdog. i havent used the 2400 but i use some of their other collars almost daily and have had great success with them
by Sprig
Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:39 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Starting an older green pup
Replies: 7
Views: 4038

Re: Starting an older green pup

i have trained many older dogs with no bird experience for clients and the very first thing you need to do is get that dog on as many birds as you can to find what instinct it has in it. whoa training isnt even on the table yet. i would put that dog on as many pigeons as possible for the next few we...
by Sprig
Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:07 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training help needed.
Replies: 13
Views: 4857

Re: Training help needed.

this is a very common problem i have to deal with with many clients dogs that come in for basic obedience training. teaching basic obedience will help with this if you work on having the dog sit each time it comes up to a person. if the dog really understands the sit command and the obedience traini...
by Sprig
Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:25 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: My lab has stopped retrieving
Replies: 13
Views: 8839

Re: My lab has stopped retrieving

it's hard to say from not seeing the dog and seeing how the dog acts but i have experienced this from time to time over the years. some dogs i have found you can just lay off of everything for a few weeks, especially if they are kennel dogs and then go back to playing fetch on a limited basis with a...
by Sprig
Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: very incredible performance...
Replies: 9
Views: 3266

Re: very incredible performance...

did the link i sent work?
by Sprig
Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:30 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Range and Breaking
Replies: 9
Views: 4625

Re: Range and Breaking

from my experience, range is pretty much determined by the dogs genes. it is possible, to a some degree with some dogs to control them if they are ranging too far, with an e-collar but to get a dog to range out further than it is programmed to do is something i havent seen work yet. just my experien...
by Sprig
Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:22 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Beeper collar question
Replies: 6
Views: 2366

Re: Beeper collar question

if the dog does get a bit nervous with it on, some yard training and conditioning similar to whoa training will help out.
by Sprig
Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:38 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: YAHOO!!!!!!!
Replies: 15
Views: 5506

Re: YAHOO!!!!!!!

somedays i wish i had a better half to keep me in check.... :lol: i wouldnt have so darn many dogs if i did. lol lol
by Sprig
Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:04 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Vizsla Training
Replies: 6
Views: 2817

Re: Vizsla Training

The best method is the one that makes the most sense to you and you can remain the most consistent at. i like this.....and will agree, if your not 100% comfortable with the system, regardless of whose it is, it probably wont work for you. there are many different programs that get the same result s...
by Sprig
Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steady to wing and shot with a trained retrieve
Replies: 20
Views: 7303

Re: Steady to wing and shot with a trained retrieve

i have had both, pointers that were broke to wing/shot and some that weren't. i like to watch a dog be fully steady, it is very stylish. i have hunted with dogs that break on the flush/shot too and done well with them so i dont see a huge advantage either way. it definitely takes a lot more time to ...
by Sprig
Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:58 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: very incredible performance...
Replies: 9
Views: 3266

very incredible performance...

watch this video and you will be amazed. it is of a black lab at a master hunt test last year that showed incredible heart and drive. if you can't see why i say that during the video you get a very good look right at the end of the video of what i am referring to. watch the dog very closely and you ...
by Sprig
Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:44 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: E-Collar Introduction
Replies: 7
Views: 4016

Re: E-Collar Introduction

the e-collar is part of the obedience training process so it really shouldnt be "used" until the dog has been through that program, and most dogs that is about 5-7 months old or so but not a hard fast rule on the age. its more of a temperament kind of thing with the dog(mental development rather tha...
by Sprig
Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:33 am
Forum: Training
Topic: rookie here need help
Replies: 8
Views: 4043

Re: rookie here need help

i am not familiar with that particular method. I would be careful about combining techniques from different methods. as there are many ways to train a dog, some of them dont blend very well. pesonally, i dont worry about come, heel and so forth until after the bird training. the way i train i teach ...
by Sprig
Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:03 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....
Replies: 11
Views: 5111

Re: when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....

Thanks a lot for all of the suggestions. I've tried using different objects to see if she might have interest in a certain one more than the other and I get the same thing unless I bring back some birds that I shot after hunting. She has 100% concentration of where that bird is and NOTHING else mat...
by Sprig
Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:07 am
Forum: Training
Topic: when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....
Replies: 11
Views: 5111

Re: when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....

britspan, in short you need to find something, anything that you can get her to fetch to work on the retrieve. it doesnt really matter what it is at this point as building up that drive and desire is more important that the actuall object. sometimes trying a totally new dummy the dog hasnt seen befo...
by Sprig
Thu Feb 10, 2011 11:42 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....
Replies: 11
Views: 5111

when a puppy wont come back on a retrieve.....

having a young puppy not come back on a retrieve seems to be a common issue many have with their young dogs on here so today as i was working with my dogs i figured i would give my 2 cents on the matter with a video of one of my pups going through this today. it was her very first day on a remote ma...
by Sprig
Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:46 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: she aint pretty but.........
Replies: 11
Views: 5989

Re: she aint pretty but.........

actually you did really well, nice job..... 8) that will definitely work out for ya.....
by Sprig
Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: No Interest in Birds
Replies: 15
Views: 6491

Re: No Interest in Birds

do you have a fly fishing store near by? if so, go there and they would most likey have pheasant wings for tying flys. in lieu of real birds a pheasant wing can at least temporarily give the dog some smell and attraction to bird scent...duct tape it to a bumber for retrieves......
by Sprig
Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:39 am
Forum: Training
Topic: new with lab question
Replies: 11
Views: 4854

Re: new with lab question

Right now you are dealing with a baby...If the pup is completely distracted do not give a command until you are close enough to ensure some type of follow through. Whether it is gently getting the collar and directing the dog to the place you called the pup to having a leash on to also guide the do...
by Sprig
Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:38 am
Forum: Training
Topic: new with lab question
Replies: 11
Views: 4854

Re: new with lab question

have the dog wear it daily for a few hours, associate it with anything positive, like a walk, training, a ride in the car.....let the dog learn it aint a bad thing to wear before you get to the stimulation part, which by the way comes after a formal obedience program.......
by Sprig
Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:09 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Checkcord Retrieving training
Replies: 3
Views: 1939

Re: Checkcord Retrieving training

sounds like he needs a basic obedience program to teach him come before you worry about the retrieve. get him through a sound obedience program and that will help a ton with what he is doing.
by Sprig
Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:07 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: e-collar for biting/jumping up
Replies: 17
Views: 11150

Re: e-collar for biting/jumping up

a bit young for an e-collar but i would suggest when he bites to be firm and hold him down, laying on his back, and have your hand on his throat saying the word "no". dont let him up until he submits. now you arent putting pressure on his neck or anything but rather just having him in a very submiss...
by Sprig
Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:05 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Appreciate some training advice
Replies: 4
Views: 2042

Re: Appreciate some training advice

being a pro trainer, i would say she is a bit young right now to worry about steady to wing and shot but it could definitely happen this year if the dog is properly whoa trained and e-collar conditioned and worked on birds in launchers. there is a step by step process to finishing up a dog to that l...
by Sprig
Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:58 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: How many birds per training session ?
Replies: 13
Views: 4963

Re: How many birds per training session ?

my philosophy is you dont need a lot of birds in one training session but get on a regular schedule for training and keep a consistent supply of birds in front of the dog. i usually only put a dog on a couple birds at a time but they are on a regular schedule so they get into a routine and once a do...
by Sprig
Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:53 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: New to training gundogs...
Replies: 7
Views: 3366

Re: New to training gundogs...

you really cant start too early to introduce a young pup to birds. get him started on wings now and work him up to a live pigeon as soon as you can. be carefull as some pups get a bit frightened of a live flapping bird so dont rush the live bird too soon if that happens but get him on live birds as ...
by Sprig
Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:48 am
Forum: Training
Topic: new trainee
Replies: 8
Views: 3336

Re: new trainee

nice looking dog.
by Sprig
Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:47 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Whoa Board
Replies: 7
Views: 2764

Re: Whoa Board

you really dont need a whoa board. i have never used one and never will and have had some very steady dogs. i only used a leash to teach whoa.
by Sprig
Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: training question
Replies: 2
Views: 1477

Re: training question

i have seen his videos and they are pretty good.
by Sprig
Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:42 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 1st time training help...
Replies: 4
Views: 2010

Re: 1st time training help...

you are still in great shape with an 11 month GSP......your first step would be to get her on birds, birds and more birds....pigeons work great for a new dog to the scene if you can find any in your area.
by Sprig
Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:57 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: stealing retreives
Replies: 3
Views: 1353

Re: stealing retreives

for now i would probably work them seperate on birds and try to avoid any further problems. it might take some FF and e-collar work and teaching a "leave it" command to totally get rid of it
by Sprig
Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:29 am
Forum: Training
Topic: training birds
Replies: 9
Views: 3105

Re: training birds

my birds are about 10 feet from the end of the row of dog kennels. if anything, i have seen dogs get tons of desire from being so close to the birds. just dont let them get out where the dog can catch them. starring at the all day isnt bad for them, actually a good thing because it increases the dog...
by Sprig
Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: First training material purchase
Replies: 3
Views: 2454

Re: First training material purchase

homing pigeons and a bird launcher are very handy to have.
by Sprig
Sat Dec 18, 2010 4:16 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: steady to wing and shot....
Replies: 9
Views: 4700

Re: steady to wing and shot....

normally i would have for this dog but i had the camera in one hand and the remote launcher in the other so i had no room for a gun. 8)
by Sprig
Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:37 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Traning With Pigeons
Replies: 6
Views: 3434

Re: Traning With Pigeons

if you really enjoy working a dog and want to take a dog to a high level of training you will need lots of birds and it helps to have a small flock of homing pigeons. i have about 30 and will have more next year when i breed more this spring. for one or two dogs you only need about 6 or 8.
by Sprig
Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: steadiness to wing and shot...the release...
Replies: 5
Views: 2785

steadiness to wing and shot...the release...

how many use a release command when training a dog to point and what kind do you use....I think a big part of teaching a dog to be steady is to teach it a release command..... i took another video today to illustrate what i mean. http://sprigkennelsandsupply.com/dog-training-articles/release-on-poin...
by Sprig
Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:26 am
Forum: Training
Topic: steady to wing and shot....
Replies: 9
Views: 4700

Re: steady to wing and shot....

Don wrote:In my opinion the best reason for teaching steady to wing and shot is it keep's the dog out of harms way till the shooting is done.
+1
i totally agree with this......

plus, it also looks cool to see a dog stay on point all the way through. 8)
by Sprig
Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:39 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: steady to wing and shot....
Replies: 9
Views: 4700

steady to wing and shot....

i have been working on training one of my german shorthairs to be fully steady, to wing and shot. Today i took the camera out with me during our training session and i think he is starting to get there. it is so cool to come over a hill and see a dog on point and then have him stay on point after th...
by Sprig
Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: GSP Flagging
Replies: 31
Views: 11333

Re: GSP Flagging

i have a GSP that flags a bit and i have noticed it gets worse when i keep doing the same thing, use the same birds in the same area....try going to a new area and use a different bird, i.e. if your using quail, try a pheasant, etc...also if you are just launching birds, shooting a few will also hel...
by Sprig
Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:25 am
Forum: Training
Topic: how much $ to FF
Replies: 7
Views: 2537

Re: how much $ to FF

1-2 months depending on the dog and $500 per month is probably an average price and duration for a pointing dog....labs can usually be done in 1 month but sometimes pointers take longer as their natural retrieve and natural instinct to carry things in their mouth isnt as strong as a most retriever b...
by Sprig
Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: better question
Replies: 18
Views: 5100

Re: better question

in order of importance i would rank it this way in terms of what you will need for your dog and in what order you should worry about getting them.......#1 homing pigeons, #2 remote bird launcher, #3 check chord, #4 e-collar. I just posted this video on another thread but i will re-post the link to i...
by Sprig
Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:06 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: birds, birds and even more birds...
Replies: 1
Views: 1146

birds, birds and even more birds...

after the rain/sleet/snow stopped I got to get the dogs out for a bit today. ended up being a great day to run dogs, cool and with a slight breeze. couldn't ask for better. I took a video of a 5-6 month old drathaar I am training for a client that will hopefully show how important birds are in train...
by Sprig
Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:22 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Pigeon training
Replies: 9
Views: 3245

Re: Pigeon training

the only thing i have seen with the pen raised birds from pigeons transition is how the dog handles a bird that is now able to run and relocate. i personally put them on a few game farm birds before i run them on wild birds just so i can see how the dog will do on a bird that is mobile. if your dog ...
by Sprig
Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:17 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Gun shy 6 month old lab
Replies: 10
Views: 5316

Re: Gun shy 6 month old lab

Stop shooting! The dog needs to see more birds. Until he is aggressively hunting and chasing birds, I wouldn't start any shooting. ...... The worst thing you can do with a young dog with birds and guns is have the attitude "let's take the pup out and just see what happens." Set the dog up for succe...
by Sprig
Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: honoring.....
Replies: 8
Views: 2597

Re: honoring.....

.... the only bad part was the guy who went in and flushed the bird missed his first shot and his Benelli jammed so he didnt get to shoot his dog's (ace) very first rooster. That is why REAL shotguns have 2 barrels and 2 triggers. :D i wont disagree with ya there......personally i need two shots ju...
by Sprig
Fri Nov 19, 2010 8:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: honoring.....
Replies: 8
Views: 2597

honoring.....

Just had to share a cool picture from a hunt today. this is Ace and Pepper, litter mates on their first hunt together. In fact, today was Ace's (white dog) very first pheasant hunt. It is so cool to see a great bird dog make a great point on a rooster. the only bad part was the guy who went in and f...
by Sprig
Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:26 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: gsp vs pointer?
Replies: 34
Views: 17713

Re: gsp vs pointer?

There is not much prettier than a well bred pointer. I have 3 Gsp's, 1 pointer and 1 english setter. As you can tell I am not prejudice I like'em all. With the pointer I have I think he probably came out of his momma pointing. i am like you, i love all bird dogs but the english pointer is a very st...