Gun Dog Forum

birddogger2

Welcome to the forum. Your focus seems to be much more toward producing a retriever than a pointer. My focus is pretty much the opposite, but that only means we have different needs and desires for our dogs. It is all good. I also suggest that you leave the e-collar in the box for a while. I have al...

birddogger2

Alright so what I'm gathering is that there really isn't a wrong way necessarily to feed the pup as long as I am being somewhat consistent and guaging how he responds to it all. To answer your question Shags, he will be kept in the house and his exercise would be me just taking him somewhere like a...

birddogger2

Guys - I only had one dog that would eat nonstop. I got her as a year old started dog and she had been in a kennel. She would wolf down her food as soon as it was placed in front of her, so I assumed that was how she was trained to eat...like a field trial dog. Put it down and ten minutes later pick...

birddogger2

Mike - When I first get a puppy, there is ample food and water available to the pup 24/7. As they get to 3 and 4 months I tend to gravitate to a morning and evening regimen. I typically feed a growing youngster twice a day, but I do try to put down enough food so that there is a little something lef...

birddogger2

Tim -

Welcome aboard. There is a really nice bunch of folks on here...they even put up with ME!

RayG

birddogger2

Mike - Welcome. A GSP is a good choice of bird dogs and should do everything you will need in the uplands. Read a few training books and if you want to know how to hunt...just follow the dog. tehy are the experts anyhow. If you do send your dog to a trainer, try to get some time in with the trainer ...

birddogger2

Huntsmith -Whoa Post Part 1 http://www.huntsmith.com/article.php?id=15 -Whoa Post Part 2 http://www.huntsmith.com/article.php?id=16 CR - I don't generally use a whoa post for steadying and the method I learned was different than the Huntsmith method you posted. Thank you for sharing. Always nice to...

birddogger2

I believe you could also use a prong collar. Same principle, similar effect.

I don't see why it wouldn't work if that is what you already have.

I actually think an e-collar might work with the whoa post...but your timing would have to be spot on. Mine ain't that good.

RayG

birddogger2

Been there. Had to make the same choice. Had a dog that was as sweet as pie, but who could turn vicious with certain provocations. I am certain it was some kind of chemical imbalance or illness, because he would go glassy eyed and stare off into space right before he went off the reservation. He was...

birddogger2

IDHunter There are dogs that in spite of how hard we try as breeders, just do not have a lot of point. Some dogs just like to chase. Dogs that chase car can't do much with one if they catch it. Some will spend there whole life trying. Usually they eventually get ran over. The problem with the "chas...

birddogger2

Did a bit of looking and found this:

White tower was(apparently) sired by Ch(HOF) Riggin's Whit Knight. Tower's dam was Holiday Dart Amber by Ch(HOF) Paladin's Royal Flush out of Jakes Little Devil (who was by Ch(HOF) Warhoop Jake).

Haven't found anything about Rocky Dan yet.

RayG

birddogger2

IDhunter- I also agree that a checkcord can be an invaluable aid in taking the chase out of a dog. A checkcord with a prong or JASA type pinch collar can speed that learning curve dramatically. At least I have found it to be so. If you put a bird in a launcher and bring the dog in until it scents an...

birddogger2

How in the world did we go from suggesting a pointer kennel for a member to this inane chatter. It wasn't hard at all. :lol: :lol: I'm actually surprised that no one began extolling the virtues of alternate breeds...YET!! :twisted: :roll: :mrgreen: Just having some fun on a cold, rainy miserable ni...

birddogger2

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on an English pointer breeder in the Midwest. I’m in Ohio, and will be looking for a pup in the next year, year and a half. Currently have a heavily dk breed shorthair, who I run in NAVHDA and AKC, wanting a dog with a little more run in i...

birddogger2

PMW - I just acquired a late July puppy by Waybetter Rocky out of Steel City Karen. My son also got a pup out of the same litter. These pups are full of fire and desire and they absolutely WANT to be inside your coat with you. George or Mary Tracy(Summerhill Kennels) would be the contact for future ...

birddogger2

Best way I know of to get a dog hunt cover is to get in there yourself. If you are fighting your way through the cover, the dog will almost certainly be in there with you. You will see to that. Briar proof bibs, a canvas coat, leather gloves and a boonie hat to cover your ears from the stickers used...

birddogger2

As far as rinsing out a cut, the best thing I know of is Bactine liquid. It is antibacterial and the formulation will not kill skin cells. I get the squirt bottle so I can direct the stream where I want into the wound. Pure water will absolutely kill skin cells(not as bad as peroxide), inhibit heali...

birddogger2

Sharon -

Just read this thread through.

I am SO sorry to hear what happened. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

It never gets any easier...does it? "bleep".

RayG

birddogger2

Good luck Ray. How is this pup bred? Any photos? Not big on photos. Just an old curmudgeon with a flip phone. She is by Waybetter Rocky out of Steel City Karen. I have seen both dogs in competition and liked what I saw. There is a little bit of this and a little bit of that in the pedigree...no rea...

birddogger2

I got an 8 wk old GWP at the end of July this year. She make and honest retrieve on a pheasant at a local WMA on Friday. My Lab/GWP, Puck, put two roosters up in a thick brush patch. (I'm not sure how much pointing was involved but I'm glad I didn't have to wade in). I shot both of them (I know mir...

birddogger2

Since the dog was already forced, I suggest you go back to the bumpers and engage in a "refresher" course. If you have never done the drills, you need to read up on it or watch a video or two. If you can, contact the person who did the original force fetch and pick their brain. You might not even ne...

birddogger2

Big K - The easiest and most effective way to test whether the collar is working properly is to do it on yourself. Put it on charge for a full 8 hours, drag out the instruction manual and go through the steps. A level 1 stim(out of 6) should be barely discernible if you have the prongs in your hand,...

birddogger2

I am also in the camp of not allowing the pup do do things you will have to train out later. I would not whoa the dog. Keep your pie hole shut and let the dog work it out with the bird. If the dog roads in and flushes the bird. or breaks and tries to help while you are flushing...go into training mo...

birddogger2

What a cutie. Love the look you captured in his eyes. Thanks for sharing.

I do pointing dogs, so can't help you much with a lab...except to say ... Have fun together.

RayG

birddogger2

I purchased a new pup this year. Did something kinda different. Most of my pups are bred with field trials in mind, so they are bred in the first part of the year, January through about March or April. This puts them at 6-8 months old in the fall, and gives me all summer to do yardwork . Oct/Nov is ...

birddogger2

One of the guys I hunt with told me that he has heard that taking a pup under 1yo old out in the field more than a couple of times a month can lead to knee problems because the growth plates don't develop correctly. Anybody else heard, or know about this cause it was sure new to me. I know running ...

birddogger2

Ricwoodard - Averageguy just reiterated what I said to begin with, which is to assure that the whoa command is very firmly in place in your dog's mind. I agree that is absolutely key to the situation. The dog HAS to understand that the whoa command is not optional under any circumstance. The Perfect...

birddogger2

Ricwoodard - Failure to obey a known command is an obedience failure. Period. Disobedience around birds is still disobedience and must not be tolerated. If I holler "whoa" to one of my dogs...they stop. Why? Because they know that if they do not stop and stop RIGHT NOW...their whole world comes cras...

birddogger2

I have never seen anyone who hunted upland birds with a standard poodle, much less one that will stand its birds. I think it is something very different and very special. I think it is kinda neat. Thanks for sharing your experiences this far and I hope you continue to share your adventures afield. I...

birddogger2

Deseeker: This was a big mistake on my part. I had the Garmin Pro 550 so I had GPS on him today but I should not have gone where I went today. Rookie mistake. IDHunter: That is the hope. We live in Ontario so 200 yards or even 30 yards often means I have no idea where he is. I called the breeder to...

birddogger2

For you guys who limit or skip feeding on the morning of a hunt, do you do this with all ages? Or do you wait until a dog is more physically mature before you do this? Would you skip the morning feeding for a dog that is sub one year? I have had a few dogs over the years that were ready for prime t...

birddogger2

If the dog is going hunting on one day with rest the following day, I do nothing, as my dogs are all on self feeders. I will offer water before and during the hunt. I do not give supplements during the hunt or during breaks...just water. If the dog is away from home, whether at a trial or on an exte...

birddogger2

Rat Dog - BE CAREFUL!! Field trials, test, whatever are INFECTIOUS! The good news is that the desire to participate will drive you to work with your dog far more than you would otherwise. The bad news is that they become as much fun as hunting and there are only so many weekends to one or the other....

birddogger2

BigK - First bird dog eh? And it sounds like you got a good one. Boy are you in for some interesting times. :D A bird dog's function is to seek birds. It is driven to run and hunt, as far as it needs to to fined birds. What your dog is doing sounds pretty good to me, but then I run borderline all ag...

birddogger2

I typically fillet of the breasts of my pheasant, soak them in salt water for a night and then pat dry and either freeze or eat. Pheasant cacciatore is the bomb. Quail I usually skin and cut out the back and legs, leaving the breast and wing(first two joints typically). On a lightly hit pheasant I ...

birddogger2

ChetB - A wonderful tribute to a treasured companion and "partner in crime". You and your family had 12 years with her and that IS a long time. You re so right that they give you everything they have, unconditionally and without reserve. We, most often, do not deserve that level of devotion. I know ...

birddogger2

I typically fillet of the breasts of my pheasant, soak them in salt water for a night and then pat dry and either freeze or eat. Pheasant cacciatore is the bomb. Quail I usually skin and cut out the back and legs, leaving the breast and wing(first two joints typically). On a lightly hit pheasant I w...

birddogger2

I am aware of several brother/sister breedings in pointers. These breedings were apparently deliberately done to cement and intensify the characteristics in the dogs. Since the two that come to mind resulted in producing champion progeny and in one case a Hall of Fame dog, I would say those breeding...

birddogger2

Nategsp - I agree it is exciting to watch. But I got one better for ya. Your dog goes up and over the rise, out of your sight. You quicken your walk a bit. The dog has not come back to you. That knot in the pit of your stomach is getting tight. Then when you top that rise, you spot your dog standing...

birddogger2

Nategsp - I tend to agree pretty much with everything cJ has just said. I also believe that a bird dog's job is to go and find birds and then to point them and hold them until I get there...however long that may take. THAT is what a bird dog should do. I do however understand that a half mile is a b...

birddogger2

Hands on training. IF the dog is throughly conditioned to the ecollar, you now have to take it off and put on tennis shoes. When he makes a mistake, run the pirate down and show him the errors of his ways. This is no place for a bleeding heart. I believe setting up a fake NSTRA trial is your best o...

birddogger2

Yes I have. My youngest dog had symptoms about a year ago. He was about 3. I noticed he wasn't acting right... he yelped in pain when he went to grab a chew toy and such. When I tried to check out his mouth area he yelped in pain when I attempted to open it. My large animal recommended for us to go ...

birddogger2

It has to be immensely gratifying to know that genetics you put together and nurtured have helped a dog rise to the heights within your breed. THAT is what improving the breed is all about and it does take time and effort....and not a little bit of luck along the way. You obviously knew you were doi...

birddogger2

Mosby - I hunted my first dog Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most hunts were half day or less, depending on how long it took to limit out. I did this for pretty much the entire upland bird season. As my first dog got older I got a year old trial reject and hunted the two together on...

birddogger2

Brystons90 - Yes you probably should not have played tug of war...but what is done is done. I don't think the trained retrieve is your only option and, right now, it might not be your best option. I can think of a couple of ways you can work this out that I would try first. The big thing in my mind,...

birddogger2

BigK - I do it essentially the same way as Sharon and Shags. I "teach" the here or come command with the checkcord using short sharp tugs and if that does not get the response...I reel the dog in, hand over hand. After the checkcord lesson is well learned, I overlay the command with a verbal cue, an...

birddogger2

I also do not have insurance. I currently have three dogs and have had as many as six, so the costs of insuring them in a meaningful way would be prohibitive. I believe that if you give your dogs their shots and do all of the recurring health related tasks you can, that can seriously reduce your ann...

birddogger2

Pete - I would also recommend that you actively avoid quail for your dog at this juncture...ESPECIALLY Coturnix quail which have a tendency to burrow in and are typically weak flyers, at best. If you cannot get pigeons, consider chuckars. They typically fly pretty well out of a launcher and they thr...

birddogger2

Pete - DonF pretty much nailed it as regards birds and Shag's comments are also well worth considering. I also would put the e-collar on the dog every single time you take it out to run or work with birds , so when it sees the collar, it knows the fun is about to begin. Great idea. Not much for me t...

birddogger2

Folks - We are all here to help each other. People shared their knowledge with us and passed it on. It is up to us to do the same and honor the memory of those who helped us by paying it forward to the next generation of bird doggers. On this board, we all do what we can, when we can. I have sen tha...

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