Gun Dog Forum

marysburg

Shags and Don F have it right. And remember what Rick Smith always says, "It takes as long as it takes." If you pick a time when you are not in a hurry, you can wait for calmness in your dog. Rick taught us that when you go to take the dog off the chain gang, if he doesn"t stand still, you just take...

marysburg

Getting back to the original question, I would back up exactly what deseeker said in his two posts. My experience has been the same, and we have 3 to 5 spayed females in the house. Our Britts came from strong NAVHDA breeding because that's the on foot hunting style we wanted to develop. Good luck in...

marysburg

Well, we have quite a crew of oldsters here, and I'm glad to see I'm in such good company. Last year, when our 12 yr old lab died, we got a Springer pup which will likely be our last pup. We're both 65, and hope we can keep up with the dogs for another 10 years or so. We also have two Britts (10 yrs...

marysburg

Nice work. He dealt with the fence problem just fine, then used his nose to find the retrieve target. You're going to have a lot of fun this summer.

marysburg

I have a friend who has a Border Collie cross. It's the family pet, and one of those dogs who you could teach to do any job. This dog does a nice field search and flush, then he's steady to wing, shot and fall. Nice retrieve too. Not flashy like a pointy dog, but a very useful dog. He also will do w...

marysburg

Wow, your're going to have a great summer. There's nothing cuter than a Brittany pup (we've had 3).

marysburg

I have used the x-pen and doorless crate setup as per cj's suggestion. It has worked well for us for the last 7 gundog pups and several others. The pen was 42" tall, and climbing was never an issue. The timing for a pup at Christmas, and cold weather for a few more months is going to be tough. A tir...

marysburg

Great pictures and stories. I guess I am one of the oldies too. We got a FB Springer pup last spring, and she will likely be our last bird dog. We have 2 Britts, and a GSP, but like to run a flushing dog in the mix too. We'll be 75 when the pup is 10, so we can hobble off into the sunset together. I...

marysburg

We drive a 2011 Expedition and hunt with 3 or sometimes 4 dogs. The back is set up with a homebuilt platform on legs, under which we fit 2 plastic "under the bed" type drawers. On top of the platform, we use two large wire dog crates which hold 2 Britts (snuggled up in one crate) and a GSP. When we ...

marysburg

I feed my pigeons medicated chick starter in the spring, summer and fall when they are still nesting. When it gets really cold, I switch to unmedicated chicken layer ration, as there are no more babies in the loft. Ionophore medication (rumensin or deccox) is present in the starter ration to control...

marysburg

Sharon, it sounds like the situation is under control now, and using the bark limiter on high is a great idea. Good thing those JRTs are vocal when they go after something, as it sets things up so he delivers his own correction instantaneously. Bravo for you. Lucky for him that he lives with you, or...

marysburg

Pretty soon I will be too old to start another pup, but this summer we hope to be getting one more. Any day in the field beats the heck out of doing housework. Glad you are getting out with your pups Don.

marysburg

If you and your vet suspect allergies in your dog, why not just get allergy testing done to find out what is really the culprit? There may be many environmental allergies (plants, dust mites, etc), as well as food allergies. You can spend a lot of time and money fooling around with different rations...

marysburg

After two fairly mild porcupine encounters this summer, I used a fresh road kill porkie for avoidance training with our GSP. Worked great so far. They only have to learn to avoid the scent; just like snakeproofing. This is the 4th dog who got porkie-proofed in the same way.

marysburg

Don, your beautiful pictures of Bodie made us feel like we knew him. So sorry for your loss.

marysburg

She's lovely, have a great time getting to know her.

marysburg

Ray, as usual your advice is spot on. Carrying a live bird is very useful in a lot of training scenarios that don't go quite the way we expected. Years ago I took coaching from an old hand who said to always carry a fresh dead bird and a live one. The live one is great for steadiness to flush, and i...

marysburg

Hope your new pup helps to brighten your days. They sure will get busier! Pics would be great.

marysburg

It's so very hard to lose a once in a lifetime dog at such a young age. That's the part that takes a long time to reconcile in your heart. Sincerest sympathy.

marysburg

As said by others, lots of options for breathable layers, face protection, and wind proof outer layers. For the dog, you might want a Rivers West H2P Dog Vest. I've got them for both Brittanies, the GSP and the Lab, and they are good for turning the wind and also water. Have a great time out west wi...

marysburg

Yup, get him out there. Gonehuntin' has given great advice, but make sure he is ok with the gun, as advised.

marysburg

This late summer, we had a lot of moisture which resulted in a heavy seed set on just about everything. I have had one Brittany and a GSP with eyes full of seeds after a hunt. Flushed both, one was fine, the other is still weepy and red-eyed after treatment by the vet. It is definitely not a structu...

marysburg

Instead of avoiding cattle, you could set up training outings using planted birds that you flush and let the dog chase. Use the wind in your favour and put the cattle upwind of the training exercise, and let the dog see them as well. Maybe an association will form between cattle and fun birds in you...

marysburg

I have used the acme 6-40 with all of our 6 gundogs and each dog showed an individual response to the two tones. I use 2 short on the pealess for whoa, and one long on the pea for recall. I have (of course) used the wrong end when in a hurry and the dogs usually reacted obediently to the command whi...

marysburg

Sounds like you have started out on the right track. You could join a local NAVHDA chapter for access to birds, training land and mentors. You could also get the George Hickox DVDs which describe training pointers during the first year, and I think he has a puppy one too. You are right not to try to...

marysburg

I have a friend who hunts with a Border Collie cross. He does a real nice field search and flush, stop to flush, and retrieves to hand. Also does water retrieves, and blood tracking, but mostly upland work. Sorry, I don't have a picture. He's a really nice dog, the kind who wants to work for his own...

marysburg

You can use up a lot of time and money trying different dog foods and doing elimination diets. We fiddled around with our itchy lab for about 2 years, then finally requested allergy testing from the vet. The dog did have food allergies, and it was simple to find the right ration for her. The complic...

marysburg

A visit to the vet will let you know what you are dealing with in terms of injury. No sense letting a good young dog end up lame if there is a way to avoid it.

marysburg

Cass, we have hatched, brooded, and raised birds for ourselves and for our NAVHDA Chapter tests. It was a PIA, so we went to buying adult birds from Gerber's near Guelph. Much better. Buy 'em, use 'em. We have a "two holer" outhouse which is our homing pigeon loft, and two 12' by 30' flight pens whi...

marysburg

Well, you may be disappointed in this answer. Having said that; I don't think you should focus on which BREED, but instead, which DOG. What if you looked for a started dog from those breeders who sell them? Then you would know exactly what you HAVE, instead of what you might have. It would take a lo...

marysburg

Congratulations gundogguy and Miss Zeta. You two are really racking up the wins. Very nice.

marysburg

Burrs would probably stick less on a neoprene vest than on the fleece one, but we haven't had too much trouble with the fleece; no rubbing either. You might find that one fleece and one neoprene vest would let you be ready for pretty much anything that comes up. I think I'm going to try a Cabela's n...

marysburg

My favourite vest for upland work on the GSP and both Britts is the Rivers West H2P dog vest from Ugly Dog Hunting. It is waterproof, breathable fleece which keeps them very much warmer and is rugged too. I just wish it was about 4 to 6 inches longer on the top of the back to give better coverage to...

marysburg

I received a copy of PDJ as a gift when I got my first pointing dog in 2000; have been a subscriber ever since. I purchase Gray's and Shooting Sportsman from time to time at our local bookstore. I am a NAVHDA member, so I receive the Versatile Magazine regularly, and it is quite good. Gundog Magazin...

marysburg

Clicker training can be used in the development of the very young pup, but it only lays groundwork for the transition to fieldwork. It is well explained in George Hickox's training DVDs or in articles on his website. It sure worked well on my last pup, and I would use it again on my next one. The fi...

marysburg

I have used the George Hickox clicker training for my youngest dog, and it worked very well. Clicker methods are easy with a very young pup, and they teach the dog 'how to learn' and how to offer behaviours. I think it sets the dog up for an easier time with more advanced training.

marysburg

Wow, I'd take one like her anyday. You'll sure miss her when she goes back to her owners. Thanks for sharing her with us.

marysburg

|Thanks, guess I'd better get busy. I'll take your advice and do the job a bit at a time. No sense letting them get any worse.

marysburg

Our training pond is about 1/2 acre, with 2 steeply sloped sides, and 2 ends which have a gradually sloped bottom. Bulrushes are taking over in the shallow entry areas. We have tried cutting them off and pulling them out, but it isn't really working. Any ideas out there?

marysburg

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you here.

marysburg

The lab and golden retriever were fast to grasp obedience and manners on game, but were not consistent until age 3. The three Brittanies were our heart's delight, but did not become consistent until age 4. The GSP has been the 'hands down' easiest pup we ever had , and at age 2 is developing beyond ...

marysburg

I think the greatest indicator of maturity is consistency in performance, both in the field and at home. The dog delivers a similar performance each time out and the "moments of brilliance" interspersed with "where the heck did that behaviour come from" begin to blend into an even level of work whic...

marysburg

Ooooh. Good one!

marysburg

I have had long haired dogs for decades. Right now, I have 2 brittanies, one of whom has a very fuzzy coat which picks up everything and matts easily. I use old school methods. Mars Coat King really keeps the hair thinned out. I also use thinning shears; and to trim off matts which have already form...

marysburg

It's always interesting to learn how it's done in other parts of the world. Thanks for letting us have a glimpse at interesting people and how they run their excellent dogs.

marysburg

Congratulations on your new pup. Shags, and others, have given great advice already. It sounds like you have a normal 4 month old pup who is ready to start obedience classes with her handler. It would be helpful to get some hands on advice at class, and your dog will love the outing. Basic good mann...

marysburg

Fun Dog, that will be a hike for you to go to Perfection Kennels. How many days would that be for you to make the trip? I have attended Rick Smith Seminars, and would like to also try the Jon Hann series, but the drive is the sticking point. I figure it to be 2 1/2 to 3 days each way. Won't be going...

marysburg

You are wise to seek more help with your dog, and meanwhile, to continue training without using the ecollar. Along with the great advice which you have already received here, I will add that all ecollars are not created equal. My Brittanies (3) were all brought up on a Tri Tronics ecollar with no pr...

marysburg

Good tip from whoadog regarding the launcher. If your pup likes to chase balls, frisbees or has a favourite fuzzy toy, then set a launcher up in the yard where pup can see it. Load it with as many of his toys as you can. With pup on leash, from across the yard, launch the toys, then run to the launc...

marysburg

I have helped set up a training plan for a border collie mix owned by a friend. His aim was to have his family pet trained to be useful in the field as a flusher and retriever. He worked on basic obedience first, then exposure to field conditions, and exposure to birds. Once the dog was excited abou...

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