Search found 1084 matches

by crackerd
Fri Mar 09, 2018 11:18 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy
Replies: 35
Views: 13406

Re: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy

NO!, Robt., lurchers trained to pick cress or ferrets steady to flush...

MG
by crackerd
Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:36 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy
Replies: 35
Views: 13406

Re: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy

Higgins wrote:Now we're gettin' somewhere. :D
Not so fast, Professor - where's Eliza Doolittle figure into all this pronouncing of the "'Iggins Method?"

MG
by crackerd
Mon Mar 05, 2018 11:49 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy
Replies: 35
Views: 13406

Re: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy

polmaise wrote:I'm sure there is a difference between 'Back-chaining' and 'Back-peddling' :)
Hold on, Robt. Is "back-peddling" selling something back to somebody after they've sold "it" to you in the first place? Just need a clarification for my (and maybe gundogguy's) back-chaining edification. :wink:

MG
by crackerd
Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:11 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy
Replies: 35
Views: 13406

Re: VIDEO: Choosing a Hunting Strategy

Robt., a "real" wesslpointer http://www.wesslpointer.com don't need no checkcord. Pedigree check, maybe... I see my method more as being based on natural cause-effect scenarios with the freedom to learn through trial-error, and a wild acting bird being the primary teacher. Much different from obedie...
by crackerd
Tue Feb 27, 2018 7:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Tell me about casting a pointing dog
Replies: 24
Views: 9116

Re: Tell me about casting a pointing dog

Get thee a spinone! For lots more red letter days to come on the brae - and the gorse, of course. It's an interesting subject. There are thousands of acres of public land and/or land owned by the local town council that can be hunted over , but not shot over, all around where I live. No birds are r...
by crackerd
Mon Feb 26, 2018 7:54 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Tell me about casting a pointing dog
Replies: 24
Views: 9116

Re: Tell me about casting a pointing dog

Featherfinder, you and the ol' Bill of the brae have forced me into asking, and not for the first time: Whither Archbishop Derry Argue? Hope he's still extant and cranky (or "crankily enlightening!") as ever with his mastery of pointing dogs.

MG
by crackerd
Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: e-collar in Britain
Replies: 9
Views: 4043

Re: e-collar in Britain

crackerd...All due respect, back at you.....You make it sound like it is one (direct pressure) or the other (indirect pressure) most modern trainers use both...or shall we agree to disagree? Direct pressure - "sit", dog does not sit, "sit" nick "sit". Direct use of collar for the infraction. Indire...
by crackerd
Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:58 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: e-collar in Britain
Replies: 9
Views: 4043

Re: e-collar in Britain

An e-collar, when PROPERLY used, only stimulates a dog that is disobeying a command that he/she already has learned ! Timewise, with all due respect for your prior experience with retrievers, that ain't how the e-collar is used in contemporary programs. 'Cause stimulation for disobedience ain't the...
by crackerd
Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:22 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: e-collar in Britain
Replies: 9
Views: 4043

Re: e-collar in Britain

Bill, my a cappella mate the S'African is singing a pretty good song :mrgreen: for a pointer person who doesn't understand (doesn't want to understand) that retriever trainers use the e-collar as integral to a training program - not as a preventive device. Like, say, Our Man Frank describes in his e...
by crackerd
Thu Feb 15, 2018 6:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Tell me about casting a pointing dog
Replies: 24
Views: 9116

Re: Tell me about casting a pointing dog

Since you're OldDixieDown doing the asking, gotta say, personally, that I always thought "Promise" in "The Biscuit Eater" was perfectly cast. New York Times movie critic Bosley Crowther agreed with me: From James Street's short story about a boy and his dog, Paramount has wrought a fragile, heart-wa...
by crackerd
Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:37 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How do I get dog to stop eating dead animals
Replies: 6
Views: 2456

Re: How do I get dog to stop eating dead animals

polmaise wrote:Now I'm just being 'Frank' for a minute ,so don't shoot the messenger .
L*rd help the other 'Frank,' Robt., he's going to fry a dog for putting something in its mouth - i.e., let's zap the sorry b*st*rd for..."retrieving."

MG
by crackerd
Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:27 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: NAVHDA dogs compared to NSTRA dogs
Replies: 19
Views: 8821

Re: NAVHDA dogs compared to NSTRA dogs

Things must be particularly bleak in Scotland. CK, it's true things aren't necessarily as bright on the brae as they are on Burns Night (Jan. 23), but there's still the buzz from T2 - Trainspotting 2 - to fuel enthusiasm and morale! Right, Robt.? Come to think of it, Renton would make a nice NAVHDA...
by crackerd
Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Boykin Spaniel/Labrador Comparison
Replies: 10
Views: 5785

Re: Boykin Spaniel/Labrador Comparison

While I don't own one I've seen a few. And I'm very impressed with them. They are like the Everready Bunny when it comes to energy in the field, but their owners say they are quiet in the house. They seem to be very alert and trainable and are usually very quiet.. They seem to be small water waterf...
by crackerd
Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:36 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Breeding question need help
Replies: 149
Views: 57696

Re: Breeding question need help

And yes Delaware has an abundance of snow geese, with open limits and unplugged magazines allowed. You can apparently fill up the bed of a pickup truck with them, if you so desire...but they are pretty much inedible, or so I'm told. I don't do waterfowl, so I would not know and I try not to kill th...
by crackerd
Fri Jan 05, 2018 2:25 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Shooting Over Running Dogs
Replies: 67
Views: 32354

Re: Shooting Over Running Dogs

No worries!! I'm SO new to this world, I have YET to even attempt to take down a grouse in the field! I'm thinking bagging my limit probably won't be an issue any time soon. :roll: If you get too good, we may have to pair you up with Phil Harris on one of those sangin' duets a la Nat King and Natal...
by crackerd
Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:32 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Shooting Over Running Dogs
Replies: 67
Views: 32354

Re: Shooting Over Running Dogs

Better not hear tell of y'all beltin' out "I Cain't Say No" with respect to shooting over the limit of Pa. grouse! And I darn tootin' mean that, Ado Annie! :mrgreen: In Bill T.'s honour, I would only croon Jack Buchanan ("And Her Mother Came, Too!") over my birddogs - one suave but bad Scottish homb...
by crackerd
Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:07 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Shooting Over Running Dogs
Replies: 67
Views: 32354

Re: Shooting Over Running Dogs

Must admit that the idea of "singing" to a dog as it hunts really has me scratching at my turnip ! :lol: The way I sing would mean I always had to hunt on my own ! Bill T. You mean, you don't all belt out show tunes as you plod around? "bleep"! I guess I'm trying to learn the wrong sport! Lot easie...
by crackerd
Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:37 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Shooting Over Running Dogs
Replies: 67
Views: 32354

Re: Shooting Over Running Dogs

You're going to get it one of these days. :) yup! Sharon, just don't ask what we're going to get one one of these days when Robt. gets it - the one-way ticket to the realm of North American gundogs, that is. It'll be fun. Enjoying this thread from the trialer/hunter/retriever uber alles cheap seats...
by crackerd
Mon Nov 27, 2017 8:03 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Retriever will not return pigeons
Replies: 10
Views: 5861

Re: Retriever will not return pigeons

Bill, can't you and Robt. in the name of comity get that flatcoat wummern friend of y'alls from overseas to intercede here :wink: (No further comment :lol: ) - OK, you've twisted my arm: One further comment for the OP. Get through to Judy Gladson of Victory Retrievers (website: http://www.victoryret...
by crackerd
Thu Nov 02, 2017 2:15 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?
Replies: 19
Views: 9342

Re: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?

Sorry but I have sort of lost track of the meaning of this thread ? Bill - did Robt. get hacked?!? Or is he contemplating another visit to one of these "fitty" states? Didn't sound like his kind of reply, honestly, nor have I heard him reference Alaska before - but he could in fact be a strong cont...
by crackerd
Wed Nov 01, 2017 7:03 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?
Replies: 19
Views: 9342

Re: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?

would you believe, way back when Rick Hall wrote a nifty piece on his beagle in Gundog mag 25 years ago, somebody in South Carolina was advertising "pointing Boykins." :roll: Or Flushing retrievers even. http://www.spanielsinthefield.com/2017/10/30/the-six-pack/ That's actually how most folk over h...
by crackerd
Tue Oct 31, 2017 9:21 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?
Replies: 19
Views: 9342

Re: Pointer hunting with flusher issues?

Don't take a Pointer out with labs. Two things will happen: 1) He will develop a short range. 2) He may start to flush and not point due to the competetion and from learned behavior from the labs. Or 3) the Lab will start to "point" as learned behaviour from the pointer. :mrgreen: GH, would you bel...
by crackerd
Fri Oct 06, 2017 9:54 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Kerbside Gundog training.
Replies: 5
Views: 2874

Re: Kerbside Gundog training.

Bill, rather than an accidental breeding, sounds rather like you got yourself a 'Merican performance Lab who stowed away on a tramp steamer then jumped ship in the Firth of Clyde and made her way to the brae. Hmm, just checked, though, and my little hellion that fits your description is still "onsit...
by crackerd
Fri Sep 29, 2017 8:34 am
Forum: Training
Topic: First time training a lab retriever from scratch.
Replies: 8
Views: 5579

Re: First time training a lab retriever from scratch.

What's a "canoe Lab?" - that an Irish thing, or wouldn't it be known instead as a "punt Lab?"

MG
by crackerd
Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Gooseman, this is how it reads next to your posts:
Gooseman07
Rank: Master Hunter
Posts: 201
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:38 pm
Location: Middletown, DE
Were this still the case, you'd be in "tall cotton" at getting yourself ducks aplenty for training.

MG
by crackerd
Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Very good MG Duck Chasing is much different from Duck Searching! Then You add 'Tolling' . A whole new game :) Ha! Is Tolling anything like searching for well water with a divining rod. :roll: Yes, sorta... , the toller's tail acts as the divining rod - it's called "sparking." Not to be confused wit...
by crackerd
Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:33 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

gundogguy, funny thing is technical water most often makes lousy duck search water, because there's usually no cover so it becomes a sight rather than scent search - a duck chase , if you will. (That will compute when you realize that retriever trainers need to see their dogs every step of the way t...
by crackerd
Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:21 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: dove hunting with a gsp
Replies: 12
Views: 7554

Re: dove hunting with a gsp

Fair cop, Bill - Snick was a pretty passionate chap about retriever training especially given his handicap (a Chessie :mrgreen: ). Didn't he also bring Martin Deeley into the British e-collar discussion from their secret and secure(!) location somewhere in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral? So yes, Sni...
by crackerd
Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:12 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

In that case, I can probably spit into it from my own "pad." No access back then when I was running NAVHDA, thus the hike over to Jersey on a weekly basis. Thanks for the explanation - hope you're still working versatiles in your new haunts, even though the only birds we've got for them to play with...
by crackerd
Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:32 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Tidal pond sounds great, if there was enough vegetation to offer a good search opportunity - not familiar with anything fitting that description in Delaware. Did you test in both places and if so, why the long journey to Mich., when the best duck search water on the planet was next door in Jersey at...
by crackerd
Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:29 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: dove hunting with a gsp
Replies: 12
Views: 7554

Re: dove hunting with a gsp

Who's Snick? Anything to do with this business? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXL8QPWLbBo

Ah, Snick, we hardly knew ye...at least not like ye were known and adulated in the British precincts of "unforced" gundog errors... :wink:

MG
by crackerd
Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:39 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Gooseman07 wrote:I've done it and been successful but it's a lot to type.
Where was the water you used for your duck search "success?"

MG
by crackerd
Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:32 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Vizsla is not retrieving dead birds???help
Replies: 22
Views: 12479

Re: Vizsla is not retrieving dead birds???help

Bill, no red herrings (or fresh kippers for that matter), but be sure and let Feathers know that you're also the atypical British (OK, Scots, too) trainer who introduces your pups to birds for retrieving at earliest opportunity if not sooner (8-10 weeks) instead of say the pro forma method of, what?...
by crackerd
Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:48 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Robt., in (Anglicized) "duck search" terminology, what it is, is gamefinding on water. And to paraphrase our old S'African friend, it takes a lot of ducks to make a NAVHDA duck search dog. A retrieve is secondary and not even required, it's more about perseverance and nose. And tractability and coo...
by crackerd
Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search
Replies: 34
Views: 15593

Re: Training Progression NAVDHA UT Duck Search

Robt., in (Anglicized) "duck search" terminology, what it is, is gamefinding on water. And to paraphrase our old S'African friend, it takes a lot of ducks to make a NAVHDA duck search dog. A retrieve is secondary and not even required, it's more about perseverance and nose. And tractability and coop...
by crackerd
Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Smartworks
Replies: 11
Views: 6730

Re: Smartworks

Bill, unlike your working tests, for which there's a winner just as in field trials even though they're run on dummies (or cold game?), our hunt tests are run against a standard , which means that every dog entered can "win"...a ribbon for passing the test. In such case, a Boykin doesn't "beat" a La...
by crackerd
Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:01 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Smartworks
Replies: 11
Views: 6730

Re: Smartworks

Bill, pretty much "affirmative" in some way or other to all your questions - yes, Boykins can compete in retriever hunt tests in every retrieving org. in the US, and are faring well at the high end of those tests; not yet (maybe never) are they competing in retriever FTs. Labs dominate HTs, period, ...
by crackerd
Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:04 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Smartworks
Replies: 11
Views: 6730

Re: Smartworks

...I bought Smartworks and Smart Fetch by Evan Graham. I had heard an e-collar was not required for this method and I don't own one. I do have a pinch collar and 30ft check cord though. Even though it's going to be a while before we get into serious training, do you all think it's doable without th...
by crackerd
Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Why did the British have so many distinct dog breeds?
Replies: 15
Views: 7901

Re: Why did the British have so many distinct dog breeds?

Steve007 wrote:
ezzy333 wrote:
Shellottome wrote:The brits bred some nice dogs BUT the best dog breed came from Germany.
In your opinion.
The original post was probably meant as a slightly-sardonic joke.
Or not (rhymes with Draht for some; rhymes with "Bullshot!" for others....)

MG
by crackerd
Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:26 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Planting pigeons for flushing dog
Replies: 27
Views: 12764

Re: Planting pigeons for flushing dog

All thanks to gundogguy for his "intervention" here - saved the OP a lot of misery and maybe enlightened a few others with different ideas on planting. Next he can tell you how pigeons are planted by the handler for a quartering/questing dog and really offer up a gold nugget.

MG
by crackerd
Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:56 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Why did the British have so many distinct dog breeds?
Replies: 15
Views: 7901

Re: Why did the British have so many distinct dog breeds?

...I've hunted with field trial retrievers that could never figure out retrieving in river current. They would mark where the duck fell and not move with the current and if they did get the bird they would try to swim a straight line to the blind, fighting the current instead of swimming to the ban...
by crackerd
Wed Jul 05, 2017 8:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: missing photos? Photobucket
Replies: 9
Views: 4697

Re: missing photos? Photobucket

Photobucket has, I.M.O., become a bit of a nightmare to use. Adverts pop up all over the place and it's general layout has become more difficult to negotiate. It has now been quite a while since I last even tried to use photobucket. It needs to be simplified .....or maybe it's just me ? Bill, PB ha...
by crackerd
Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:39 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Maryland Sporting Dog Training Day - TV Program
Replies: 3
Views: 3270

Re: Maryland Sporting Dog Training Day - TV Program

Ditto to what Ray said, 4S - great stuff, and in our own (mine and Ray's, and apparently yours once upon a time) backyard! I've had an affiliation with Md. Sporting Dog Club that started almost 25 years ago when they let me run a six-month-old Boykin as a "demonstration dog" in a spaniel hunt test. ...
by crackerd
Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dreaded 4th of July
Replies: 12
Views: 5560

Re: Dreaded 4th of July

All of my hunting dogs have hated fireworks. The town goes crazy every 4th with illegal fireworks and our local police refuse to enforce the law. Wish they would just limit sales to what is legal to begin with. It's a county/city thing. The county allows anything(that's where people buy them) and t...
by crackerd
Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:28 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Wonder lead
Replies: 48
Views: 27871

Re: Wonder lead

Very interesting. I know very little about retriever training, especially at the competitive level. I do know that some of the e-collar techniques that pointing dog owners use were introduced by retriever folks. Kinda neat to see that there is useful information flowing the other way. "Flowing" is ...
by crackerd
Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:59 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Wonder lead
Replies: 48
Views: 27871

Re: Wonder lead

Timewise, I run FTs when I attend them, and have seen four handlers training with the Wonder Lead in the last month, three of those at the advice of their pros. These were all-age field trial dogs, not hunt test or derby dogs. Even saw one handler ahead of me lead his dog into the holding blind on a...
by crackerd
Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:35 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Wonder lead
Replies: 48
Views: 27871

Re: Wonder lead

Another endorsement. :) Has worked great for me over the years too. At Jack Russell roping rodeos? :mrgreen: More retriever folk have got the buzz about the piggin' stick, over the heeling stick - prong collar - slip lead. MG MG - We WERE talking about training bird dogs. I freely admit that I know...
by crackerd
Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:52 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Wonder lead
Replies: 48
Views: 27871

Re: Wonder lead

Sharon wrote:Another endorsement. :) Has worked great for me over the years too.
At Jack Russell roping rodeos? :mrgreen:

More retriever folk have got the buzz about the piggin' stick, over the heeling stick - prong collar - slip lead.

MG
by crackerd
Tue May 16, 2017 7:02 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840024

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Gundogguy, Following your advice , I've been out looking at the ECS. Turns out a friend of mine who has always had Springers has recently started training two of his own ECSs. So I went out to see them work. Energetic little critters, a lot faster, stronger and with much greater stamina than I expe...
by crackerd
Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: E-collar training
Replies: 7
Views: 4331

Re: E-collar training

I think what he want's is how to adjust the collar to the dog... That may be what he wants, but what he needs [/i] is to heed as a first-timer what was told him above - and below - about using the e-collar: Your dog should never show being freaked out by collar if you follow a solid [e-collar] cond...