Gun Dog Forum

birddogger

One flaw I see in the NA Test is there is no evaluation of innate desire to retrieve. I wish they would devise a way to judge if, and incorporate if into the test. Retrieve is one of those important innate abilities that should be there, but the lack of it can be covered up by FF training by the ti...

birddogger

The bird option is only if the pup won't swim with a bumper being thrown out. However, if you have to use the bird option, the dog gets points deducted and can only score two points.

birddogger

NAVHDA is not for everyone. I guess that is why there are different venues out there. I entered my dog in a NA test and had a great time. Also, some of the friendliest people I think I have ever met. As a total stranger and newbe to the game, they made me feel right at home. So much so that I joined...

birddogger

I couldn't agree more with the thank you for this site. Y'all have been overly friendly with sharing your knowledge. I appreciate the willingness of folks to share a lot if information that was learned through time and experience. And a special thanks to Brenda, who went out of her way to answer qu...

birddogger

I have two males. Lucky is 6 yrs. old at 25" and 56 pounds. Zeke is 14 mos. 22" and 45 pounds.

Charlie

birddogger

SUBMARINER, everything that ezzy has said about dog food and ingredients is right on the money, and I would be willing to bet that what you call an independent study has an agenda. You can read some of these so called independent studies and end up spending two or three times what you have been and ...

birddogger

It is amazing how fast they become bird crazy when introduced properly isn't it birdogger- good advice- I had in my pup what I thought wouldn't hurt by starting him in pheasants real young- he was a bit reluctant to pick up a live rooster- didn't bother me- went easy and made sure to be more cautiou...

birddogger

IMO there is no such thing as a puppy being to young to be introduced to birds. As has been said, just make sure the wings are locked or the bird is harnessed the first few times you introduce the birds. You don't want the pup getting slapped with wings and have a bad experience.

Charlie

birddogger

Years ago, when parvo first started showing up in my part of the country, I had a dog that got the disease. My vet at the time told me there was nothing he could do for him and he would die soon or recover soon. I began force feeding him pedialyte and then one day I noticed he had eaten his food. He...

birddogger

re barrel placement IF you mount the barrells on whatever and place them about 3 feet from the front of the kennel facing the door the dogs will go to the back of the kennel to poop and not run thru it and jump on you or get it in your truck every time you let them out. That is good. I never though...

birddogger

I believe the scents are just another gimic to seperate us from our money. I have fallen for it in the past myself. It is worthless for dog training or anything else IMO.

Charlie

birddogger

i am speaking from experience with both males and females, pointers and flushers. females have more dominance issues than males. usually the males will have a little p$$$ contest, and it's over and done with. females always seem to be looking for the chance to get their digs in. even around the hou...

birddogger

vzkennels, What I have found is that you can have a pup spayed or neutered as young as 6 to 8 weeks old with no harmful effects. you stated it- man- that is rediculous and think about this- why would you do something to your young dog that you wouldn't do to your young child- - now days it's no pun...

birddogger

From reading these posts, I don't think I make enough money to be a member of this forum.

birddogger

Cashiers, I would use a different approach than those mentioned thus far. Not that theres anything wrong with those methods. If you are 100% for sure that your dog knows what here means I would start him on the e-collar on a low setting and if needed raise it. It souds like it might be time he unde...

birddogger

I know this is a stupid question, but what do you do to clip the wing of the bird?
Thanks,
Charlie

birddogger

I agree that working on wild birds all you want would not cause flagging. What I was talking about was planted birds and I believe too many planted birds too often can cause can cause a dog to lose some of his focus and intensity.
Charlie

birddogger

More planted birds + more pressure for point = More flagging I would work on stop to flush exercises where there is no scenting of the bird involved or seeing the bird prior to flush many dogs will flag when they know they are to stay put but the mind is mentally ripping the bird out so they are st...

birddogger

I read a post on here a while back, stating that a white dog with no coloring was subject to some kind of health problems. Would someone explain what and why that is. Just curious.
Thanks,
Charlie

birddogger

I had been feeding Enhance Hunter's edge, with pretty good results but the stools were kind of soft and sticky, for lack of a better word. Also I was having trouble keeping weight on one of my shorthairs which has been an issue on any food he was on. I know it is fine for them to be thin but his bac...

birddogger

If you did kick that guys rear end, he would have called the law and you surely would have gone to jail. John Wayne is dead and so goes his tactics. Like it or not that is how it is now. His dog to do as he wants within reason. A call on your part to the law may have helped the dog, or the humane s...

birddogger

God bless you, you have just activated an emotion in me that has brought me back to what is important to me. My family, health, love of the outdoors, hunting and bird dogs and great memories. After reading this, I feel great after a difficult last few days.
Charlie

birddogger

In all reality I think you should have said something to him but any further action would have to depend or his response. But you can't do anything without talking to him first and from there anything might have been fair. Ezzy I agree with this. That is about the only thing you could do, without g...

birddogger

Thanks vman,
Charlie

birddogger

Ditto!

birddogger

BTW, vman, your last comments were probably not directed toward me, but just to be clear, I am not a young guy or new to training bird dogs. I was just giving my opinion without knowing the entire situation or seeing the dog. I wish nev and the new dog the best and hope it works out. :D Charlie For ...

birddogger

Sorry Ray, I guess I misunderstood or didn't read your post close enough. I am sure you are correct that the dog deserves a chance. I was only thinking that if I were in that situation, I probably would not have the patience. The part about the dog being gun sensitive really would have done it for m...

birddogger

For what it is worth, I agree with gonehunting and Ray Gubernat. I pesonally would not waste any more time with this dog unless you want him for a pet.

birddogger

I agree with everything that has been said so far. Some dogs can handle the pressure of training at younger ages than others. In the case of your puppy, you are moving way to fast for her. As has already been said, I would stop all training for a couple of months. Make everything you do with her fun...

birddogger

Bob white quail: Little rockets

birddogger

3Britts, thanks for your reply. It makes sense to me now that you explained it. What I don't understand is why my post came out in a big bold format. Also, I apologize to everyone for getting off subject of the origanal thread. I am new at this forum thing.

birddogger

Birddogger, 3Britts, I am sorry if I sounded critical. I certainly didn't intend it that way. Every dog is different and I think it is great that a 6mo. old is that far along. Sounds like it is going to be a really good dog. Maybe my post was so short that it was taken wrong. Again, no offense inte...

birddogger

Seems kind of young to be breaking to wing and shot JMO I just sent my dog to the "trainer" for 1 month for the 1st time.... he is a 6month old gsp. How many days of that month should I expect him to get training/attention, in your opinion? $700/month Just ask the trainer what his plan or program is...

birddogger

Thank you for your service to our country

birddogger

About a month before this happened we switched to Sportmix and like it alot, more cost effective to boot. There is a 24-20 formula that dogs did great on. Around 20.00 a 50# bag. Stools are very firm, a little more of it than Exceed, but I can handle that for the savings. As long as dogs do well an...

birddogger

I believe the coldest I ever hunted was 5 below, with a foot of snow on the ground. That was years ago when the winters were alot worse here in Illinois. I was young and there were alot of wild quail and I hated to miss a day hunting if I wasn't working. My EP at the time found a few coveys and we k...

birddogger

I expect you will see your puppy pointing birds soon, if you follow slistoe's advise. But remember not all dogs develop the same. Some take a little longer than others. In your case your dog is still just a baby. Be patient. It sounds like he has plenty of desire and that is the main thing IMO. Char...

birddogger

I gaurantee you this dog will point birds. Plant some birds and lead the dog to the area of a bird. Make sure you have control of him so he can't catch the bird. If you have access to a launcher, plant a bird in the launcher, lead the dog around on the cc until he scents the bird. As soon as he show...

birddogger

The life jacket worked like a charm. I took him to the lake today, let him run for awhile and put the life jacket on him. I threw the bumper out and he refused to go after it. I put him in the water and pushed him toward the bumper. He swam out, grabbed the bumper, I praised him and gave him a treat...

birddogger

Cool pictures Randy. I bought the life jacket but have not made it to the lake yet. I will be working on it in the next few days. I will let you know how it works out.

Charlie

birddogger

Thanks Prairie Goat, my pup is doing exactly the way you are describing yours, with all the things you and I tried. I think I will give it a shot.

Charlie

birddogger

Also the puppy life jacket may sound funny, but it sounds like a darned good idea to me. I may have to give that a try.

birddogger

Thanks for the advise everybody. Most of it I have already tried except for the hot dog and live bird thing. I will give it a try. I am glad to hear that I am not alone and the encouraging words have given me hope. Not much time left though.
Thanks again,
Charlie

birddogger

Is it possible for a puppy to pass the NA test without doing well with the swimming part? I will be testing my 6mo. old GSP next month and I have not been able to get him to swim voluntarily. He seems to love the water, but will not venture far enough out to swim. I can throw a bumper out and he wil...

birddogger

First of all, welcome to the forum. I too am a fairly new member and not an expert on anything, but I don't believe anyone can give you a particular temperature that is too hot. Pay close attention to your dog and you will know when it is too hot. From what you have said in your post, your dog is ge...

birddogger

Thanks for everyones input. I will probably just leave things alone since I am not a trialer and he is an awsome hunter. I was just wanting some opinions.
Thanks,
Birddogger

birddogger

I have a 5 year old GSP that I trained from a pup. I am a foot hunter and never attempted to break him to wing and shot. He is whoa broke and is rock solid on point until I walk in front and flush. My question is would it be to late to break him to hold until after the flush and shot?

birddogger

Thanks for the reply Addict. You have pointed out what I have told my friend the problem might be. Actually he does a good job when hunted alone. Would your advise be to just keep hunting him with other dogs until he comes around?

birddogger

He has been on lots of birds already this season.

birddogger

My buddy recently purchased a 2 1/2 year old English Pointer. He is stylish and staunch on point. The problem is that he seems to lose interest very quickly. He does fine in a field with planted birds, but in a true hunting environment he has no entusiasm and seems unwilling to hunt, especially if h...

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