Gun Dog Forum

Are you following a program or are you just winging it? Knowing the program will help folks here give sound advice that fits with the program.

My season has been an odd one for me. Having a baby that's now six months old meant I got out less as daddy duty took precedent. On top of that we bought a house in mid-October and I became an uncle at the end of October. Busy fall. I got out around 15 days this fall as opposed to around 50 last fal...

I had similar concerns with my daughter being born in June, but with 2 dogs. So far it's been good, the only issue is keeping my pointer from giving her a tongue bath. But you've gotten good advice so far... I'll add this... get your dog used to all kinds of "mistreatment." Tug on the dog's ears, li...

How old is Lucy?

AZ Draht... you went through a lot of effort there... but I can speak to one of those locations... Grand Rapids, MN. I can promise you that Scott's TV show and writings pale in comparison (when it comes to introducing outsiders to specific locations) to the exposure from the Ruffed Grouse Society's ...

Springer I think you sound like a heck of a guy for helping the new guy. What your doing for him is in my opinion much different than braodcasting to the masses. That is what I have an issue with. To be clear Cody, I'm nice to an extent. I told him about 3 really nice spots, but I didn't give him m...

Cody, you're right about the background of the thread. But you're wrong to think that is what I was referencing. And the future can't just be with kids. We have to include adults who are new to the sport as well. I had a friend text me asking about a grouse spot I showed him. I sent him the exact lo...

[. So our sport needs new hunters. And new hunters have to start somewhere, so what solution do you suggest for this problem? Springer you seem like a good guy but you can't realistically believe this? A first time bird hunter isn't going to be sitting on the couch or whatever, read an article or s...

It only took seeing a town I liked to hunt near get over ran from people talking about it on a few forums. I even PM'ed a few of them to take the name of the town down to no avail. The landowner we used to get access from says she went from no calls 3 years ago, to a few dozen calls this year. So y...

There is a reason to wait to FF until the season is over. If you begin FF then go hunting, there is a chance to go backwards. If you shot a bird the dog may retrieve perfectly, but likely it wouldn't and you'd be forced to choose between enforcing the rules and confusing the dog, or not enforcing t...

i know some will not agree with this.but have you tried the wing on a string to see if the dog will point if you havent i would try this just dont let the dog catch the wing as soon as the dog points then you know the dog will at least point then stop and put the dog back on birds remember when you...

Northwoodshunter: you might try teaching a "trained retrieve", using positive reinforcement (food) to shape the retrieve. You don't have to wait until the end of the season but you do do need to completely understand what you're doing and how to do it. Once the dog gets the process of picking an ob...

She doesn't want a spaniel?! Maybe a divorce is in order! I kid, of course.

Good point . Depends to a large degree on the age and experience of the dog. I forget the OP's dog was one in April. His dog has also had a fair bit of experience with birds. He should follow your advice mnaj. I wasn't trying to contradict you Sharon. You have much more experience than me. I just k...

Alright, I will start more when the season is over. Today when I took him out to hunt today, for grouse, we only saw 6, but I think he either busted one or pointed then busted it which caused them all to fly. Should I be doing something to help that or just keep getting him out there to eventually ...

Soignie wrote:My only tip to you is don't worry about it for now and simply enjoy your fine young dog. There will be plenty of time after the season is over to worry about turning pup into a retriever for next season.

Yep. Not much to do this season. FF can help but that's a project for February

What we have always done is get a 1/2 gal glass canning jar and fill it hot tap water. Not too hot though. Cover it with a towel and put it in the crate with the pup. Dad did this with pups when I was a kid and have kept doing it. Only pup it didn't work with was a terrier, but they ain't normal do...

Sharon wrote:This time of year particularly there are sharp plant seeds shedding that aggravate the dogs belly/arm pits. Some use a dog vest ; I use benedryl.

Some use both

Playing is normal and good for social skills. But you have to recognize what is play and what isn't. Dogs playing have exaggerated movements and wasted motions. Playing dogs also will take turns being the "aggressor" while the other acts more submissive. Also, they will carry their tails as they wou...

Sorry to hear about your buddy. It's always tough. I think I'm going a different route than the previous posts... If you like EP's (I have one too), why not try to find a line that is breeding for what you want as far as range and retrieve go. I know some people are down on Pointers as retrievers, b...

You could try that method. Chad is a good trainer and he does a really nice job with his dogs and his clients' dogs. If my dogs get stale on dummies I stop for about a week and then come back to it with a short session and lots of praise. That usually turns them around. But some dogs just don't like...

What's your sister think of this idea? Whoever you co-habitate with will need to be fully on board. I'm not in your shoes and I don't know you, so I'll avoid saying you're not ready for a pup/dog. Only you are able to answer that question. I believe the others here are just looking out for what woul...

hunted her this morning watched her wind a woodcock she circle the bird with her nose in the air then the bird flushed she watched it fly off.at 10 months she was pointing those birds if it was just one bird that would not be such a big deal my qustion is why is she doing this There's two things to...

homeopathic = good stuff http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html Reba, this is not a scientific article you posted. It's an agenda-driven rant. Are you denying that natural remedies work? They can and do work, such as eating and drinking sources of vitamin C to help with a cold...

I happened to see a wolf Tuesday morning while grouse hunting (in Minnesota). I just called my dog back, waited a bit, then carried on. I don't think the wolf would've done anything. It seemed small... Maybe 75lbs? But my pointer can be dumb sometimes and I worried she might approach it like it's an...

Awesome job! It's been too long since I've gone looking for sharpies but they are their own bird, that's for sure!

It sounds like you folks know and understand what I'm wanting. With wild birds during actual hunting conditions, I want the dog to be where the birds are AT, not where they WERE This particular field trial-trained dog happens to have a whale of a nose, which can be a good thing but sometimes his in...

Can I ask why you wanted your pup to move up from 20' feet? That's really not that far off.

These boards cycle yearly. This is the time of year they go dead because everyone is hunting (just starting) and the training is kind of done. I think this board is still where the greatest training information is given. I think the big attraction to the face book boards is how easy it is to post p...

You can definitely teach a young dog to hunt dead. Especially one with a strong retrieving desire. I taught my "meat dog" EP that by hiding a bumper she likes then bringing her to the area and quietly say "dead bird." She already knew what the scent of the dummy meant so she made the association. Th...

Since I haven't progressed to birds yet, I don't think he'll make the connection will he? Can I just suspend retrieve training until the springtime and resume then? It is very unlikely that this dog will stop hunting birds as his prey drive is through the ceiling. My goodness, I can't even fathom n...

You're treading a very slippery slope here. If you hunt the dog and he refuses a birds, all of your training will be in vain. If you try to reinforce in the field what he won't do in the yard, the dog could stop hunting all together. Personally, I'd finish the ff or forget it. +1. Just keep trainin...

Are you talking about a bird she sees? Or is a bird she pointed and then ran out from under point?

Personally I'm ok with my dog relocating on her own if the bird moves off as long as she doesn't bump it. I'm not sure if Ray has the same standard, but he definitely has more experience than I have.

hasn't the consistent "pointing lab" been proven to be a hoax? I don't know if they are a hoax, but they don't do it like an actual pointing breed. Here's my issue with a pointing lab... I have a flusher and a pointer. They are both great and I love watching both work. My springer is more dependabl...

14 weeks? Relax. Have some fun before worry about discipline for following commands.

To the OP, no! she will not lose her drive. I have two spayed females who have a lot of drive. As to the timing, do your own research, make a decision, and know that it's final. To anyone else, there's never a perfect solution. To spay or not to? Unwanted pups or no? Heat cycles or no? Whether that'...

I like "Training with Mo"

I've never seen it, but I've heard of a breeding taking place through a chainlink fence. The urge to procreate is a powerful one. That's why teenagers are so dumb sometimes.

.......But the dual champion criteria cannot apply to springers. The split is too vast. The standard has moved too far away from function. So conformation in a FBESS must be assessed in other ways, rather than a by a judge who has never stepped into a pheasant field. Field Springers and show Spring...

Very good point about conformation. You definitely see more in a pup than I have. Going to think on that. Thanks. He is absolutely right. That is why I put so much importance on Dual Champions. I want them correct and pretty, the first makes them efficient and the later makes them look good doing i...

I doubt I could get my pointer to take food while on point haha. She has a one track mind.

I'm leaning towards the Viz, for many reasons mentioned here. Specifically, the size and coat are exactly what I'm looking for. Picking the right breeder and breeding will be my biggest responsibility. Vman's advice echoes one of my own mantras: "Your don't know what you don't know." My (believed) ...

Are your training partners' dogs loose while working on retrieving? That sounds like a bad situation. Maybe you could describe the scenarios a little more. It sounds like your dog is all business. And dogs tend to put pups in their place. heck, even my little springer will put an annoying pup in its...

I'm interested in the other odd requests. I've always felt the questions I've asked (as a buyer) are standard so it may be entertaining to hear about the weirdos of the world.

Whether you can use a dog or not for turkeys depends on the state. Here in MN it is illegal. In Wisconsin it's legal (I'm 85% sure). There was a feature on this in one of the last few issues of GunDog Magazine. I guess the mechanics of it involve the fact that a scattered flock or family group will ...

V's are good dogs. I've seen enough of them to say I enjoy them as dogs and as hunting companions. And they are pretty good retrieves. I've also seen enough of them to know I prefer a bigger running dog, but that's my preference.

I know that labs shed. A lot.

I'm a tough , old ..........., but I start puppy in the crate night one. I put on the earplugs and go to bed. Might as well get it over with . :) Now my one dog sees me getting ready for bed, so goes to his crate and falls asleep. No need to even close the door. They don't learn to hate the crate ;...

Congrats on your Griff! There's a fantastic booklet that Shannon Ford (Griffonpoint) put together called "Griffon Puppy Primer" which I would highly recommend. It's not a training book, but will give you a good idea of what to expect with a Griffon, and lots of do's and don'ts. You might ask your b...

Mnaj-springer I understand and see your point on what I was doing and might be doing wrong on my pup. i will take it in consideration but you sir are the reason I do not usually post or pay attention to forums. So I'm out and done with this sight. Thanks for the bullshit. Listen, I was not trying t...

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