Gun Dog Forum

Dakotazeb

Katie has been on a pretty good run lately. She has a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the past two weeks. Two more wins and an odd point from somewhere and she could be a 2x champion! She has a few more trialing years left in her so I hope that can become a reality. Congrats to Katie and you. I ran my Brittan...

Dakotazeb

First, thank you for your information and taking the time to reply. Secondly, lets NOT assume that a person would not be serious about their dog....that would be like assuming you actually know a person on this forum personally...which most of us do not. That said, there is a history of Commet bran...

Dakotazeb

I looked up their web site. From looking at the Analysis and Ingredients I would suggest looking for another food. There are so many good dog foods out there that are better than Commet. Look at the first ingredient, it should be a meat like chicken or lamb. Not a meal or a grain. If you are serious...

Dakotazeb

Get this vest for your GSP and help protect her chest. These are easy to put on and adjust. She won't get this one off. I've been using them on my Brittanys for over 10 years. http://www.cabelas.com/product/hunting/dog-training-supplies/dog-vests-boots-apparel%7C/pc/104791680/c/104715180/sc/23419908...

Dakotazeb

Okay, sorry Mr. Hubbard. I jest. I actually take my dog's food very seriously, but I also try to keep it economical. I believe, from my experience, that Purina Pro Plan is a good quality food regardless of what some folks say about it negatively, and 30/20 has always been good to my dogs. They also...

Dakotazeb

The boot must have a gore tex lining. The boots we are talking about all have Gore-Tex liners. Put on any boot with a Gore-Tex liner and walk in wet grass or wet snow for 30-60 minutes and you will have wet feet. I've owned virtually every brand over the years and in the conditions I stated above n...

Dakotazeb

[/quote]Tom, what about loading? I am looking for a vest that is easy to load the birds in. I am looking for the loading style where it is almost front to back? Not sure how to explain that.[/quote] That is one of the nice features of the WingWorks vest. Very easy to load birds in, even large rooste...

Dakotazeb

WingWorks. Extremely functional and built to last a lifetime.

Dakotazeb

It's really more of a personal preference. And probably a preference acquired from years of having both male and female hunting dogs. As far as hunting ability I don't think it has anything to do with gender. In 40 plus years of having hunting dogs I've had both male and female. I personally prefer ...

Dakotazeb

I see nothing wrong with using the "flush command" for your hunting. It will only become a problem is you ever start to run your dog in some field trials. I can't give any advice on those two trainers but I will throw one more out for consideration that is in your area. Now understand I know nothing...

Dakotazeb

I hunted opening day in the Canby area on private land. Birds were hard to find. 3 of us with 2 dogs got 3 in about 3 hours hunting. It was quite warm & windy, and that didn't help. Plus all the vegetation is still really green and lush and thick. We need a hard freeze to help take some of that down...

Dakotazeb

You will probably get lots of responses to this question. But, in general, feeding any kind of bones to a dog is not recommended. There is far more harm that can come from feeding bones than any benefit. I would think rawhide would be a better alternative.

Dakotazeb

Great looking dog. I love the tri-color.

Dakotazeb

Looks like everyone is on the same page with this question. I just think the extra time that you have with the dog in the house helps form a stronger bond between you and the dog. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Dakotazeb

Your dog is still young. Give him some time to mature and figure these things out. I wouldn't worry about it much at his age.

Dakotazeb

Spoiled rotten house dogs. Dynamos in the field.

Dakotazeb

The guy that told you a good dog wasn't a house dog didn't have a clue what he was talking about. That's just some very old school thinking. All my hunting/field trial dogs for the past 40+ years have been house dogs and I'd put them up against any dog in the field. I'm sure many more on this site w...

Dakotazeb

The e-collar should be used to enforce commands that the dog already knows. In other words, if your dog is trained to come on a verbal and/or whistle command and refuses then stimulation with the e-collar can be used to enforce the command. Sounds like you need to do some recall training with verbal...

Dakotazeb

I'd try crating her when you bring her back in. Leave her in the crate for a while and then when you take out of the crate take her immediately outside to potty again. Sometimes letting a puppy have too much free run in the house can hinder the house training process. And if you do catch her in the ...

Dakotazeb

Do a search on YouTube and there are some videos on the use of a skin stapler. If you buy a stapler make sure you also get the staple remover.

Dakotazeb

That's why I carry a stapler in my first aid kit. It's happened more than once and I'm sure it will again.

Dakotazeb

Might check deer season dates........some folks balk at hunting during that period. I have pheasant hunted both Iowa and Kansas during their deer gun season with no worries or incidents at all...and hopefully will again. But, we are all very different. Thanks, others off line have noted the same. I...

Dakotazeb

Depending on when in December you plan to come weather can be a real bummer in SD. We can get a lot of snow even in November. I've seen Decembers where my hunting was done by mid month because there was so much snow you either couldn't walk in the fields or even get to the fields. Plus, temps can di...

Dakotazeb

I've used a Dogtra 2500T&B on my Brittany for several years and been very happy with it. You do have to get your dog accustom to the beep but once the dog is use to it you shouldn't have any problems. I am concerned about your comment "Does it mess with the dog if he already is trained with a beep a...

Dakotazeb

I'd FF that dog in a heart beat. Nothing worse than a dog that refuses to retrieve. But if you never have done it yourself I would spend the money and have professional do it. Cost will probably be about $600-700 but in the end it will be worth every penny. I've had Brittanys for 20 years and have p...

Dakotazeb

I went on line and checked out the pet insurance with 2 different companies that were rated the highest by consumeradvocates.org. Here's what I found it would cost on a 5 year old dog. Company: Healthy Paws Max Per Year: Unlimited Deductible: $250 Co-Insurance: 80% Premium: $43.88 per month Company:...

Dakotazeb

I have looked into dog health insurance on more than one occasion and have always come away with the same conclusion that I cannot see that it would ever pay. The odds of a dog being severely injured are quite low. Put the money away you will be paying for insurance and save it for when you may need...

Dakotazeb

If you do consider an O/U you might look for one that automatically resets the safety to "safe" when the action is opened. Just another safety feature for a youngster starting out. Good luck and nice to see you getting a young person involved in the shooting sports.

Dakotazeb

Be careful in getting a youth too light of a gun. Even a light 20 ga. with field loads can pack a pretty good punch. Too much recoil and the youth could develop some bad shooting habits. Back in the 80's I started my 14 year old step-son (who was small for his age) out with my 12 ga. 870 with a 26" ...

Dakotazeb

How old were your kids the first time you took them hunting? I've got a 9 month old and a backpack he loves to ride in. Too soon? Ideas for earplugs for the kid? I'm only about 35% serious about this... 9 months? Are you nuts? I see nothing good that could come out of it. If the kid can't tag along...

Dakotazeb

No problem with most any waterproof boot walking through puddles and an occasional stream. But take your boots out and walk for 30-60 minutes in some soaking wet grass/weeds and you will more than likely find you will have very wet feet. And it's not from sweating, it's from water penetration from t...

Dakotazeb

JonnyUtah wrote:Hi, I am a new owner of a 12 week old Brittany Spaniel, and new to the forum...

Just an FYI. The term Spaniel was officially dropped from the Brittany name in 1982.

Dakotazeb

I hear ya. I too, have never found a boot, other than rubber boots, that didn't get soaked through when walking in wet grass or wet heavy snow. No product like Gor-Tex or Dry-Plus has ever worked. Crossing a small stream, etc. is not problem but when the boots are in wet grass or snow for a continue...

Dakotazeb

I wouldn't necessarily be looking for a breeder that is close to you. I'd be looking for the best breeder and one that is breeding pups that fit with what you want in a WPG. Coat, temperament, size, etc.

Dakotazeb

I've had both males and females. If you plan to have to dog in the house I prefer females (spayed). They just seem to be easier to live with. Also with females we can have plants and scrubs in our backyard. With males they would pee on everything and kill it. About the only plant we found that would...

Dakotazeb

Sharon wrote:If it is a smaller hunting area might this practice not scare of birds so they are not abundant starting Oct 1?

As long as you are not out there every day or multiple times a weeks it's not a problem. If birds get pushed out one day they will migrate back, sometimes even the same day.

Dakotazeb

Been doing it for 40 years here in South Dakota. It's basically how I train my dogs. The more exposure to birds the better. Just got back from running my dog this morning on pheasant ground. She had a really nice point, stay steady and when I couldn't flush the bird I relocated her and she began tra...

Dakotazeb

Since she seems to have done quite well last year I wouldn't worry too much about it. Some dogs just don't like yard work. Work on conditioning and some basic obedience and you will be fine. Once the season starts get on birds and she'll remember what to do. I've never worked my dogs on pen raised b...

Dakotazeb

Oh, the Golden Oldies! Love it. Also takes me back to my teens. Thanks for posting.

Dakotazeb

Thanks. Sounds like a pretty spendy supplement.

Dakotazeb

I don't doubt that a drink of sugar (maltodextrin) boosts muscle glucose. But (and hate to bring up scientific studies, but) when sled dogs had high levels of muscle glucose from drinking maltodextrin vs slightly lower levels of muscle glucose from eating fat, the sugar fed dogs all faded quickly u...

Dakotazeb

I'll be headed to Great Falls, MT over Labor Day weekend for a three day NSTRA trial. Hope to get to a couple this winter while in AZ.

Dakotazeb

When running field trials there are times your dog may have to run multiple times in one day. I am curious what people prefer as an energy suppliment for your dog between braces? When you say "multiple times in one day" how many times are you referring to?? I've been running my female Brittany in N...

Dakotazeb

greg jacobs wrote:Kingsize bed. Then he doubles as a bedwarmer, alarm clock, and birth control method.

Amen brother!

Dakotazeb

Here's the best ESS breeder I know. He has great field bred dogs that have placed very high at national trials plus they are excellent hunters. The breeders name is Ken Hanson. I realize he is a ways from you but I know he has dogs all over the country. Certainly worth a phone call. Tell him Dakotaz...

Dakotazeb

K Nine's Amazing Grace

Dakotazeb

I had a problem with my dog with her delivery. She wanted to drop birds short, 6-7 feet from me. I took her to a trainer. He put her through a FF program and if she dropped the bird and pick it up on command he gave her a "nick". Basically using the e-collar in place of a ear pinch or toe hitch. Tha...

Dakotazeb

You do absolutely nothing. You want the dog to point as far away as possible. Your dog has a good nose and you will do more harm by trying to get your dog close the bird. I repeat leave the dog alone and be glad he/she points that far away. Launch the bird at the first movement the dog makes. Wild ...

Dakotazeb

I've always used the Intermediate size kennels for my Brittanys for traveling and they have always seemed to do quite well in them. I'm sure they would fit in a Medium but I feel they would be a little cramped. The inside floor dimensions of the Intermediate kennels are roughly 17" x 27". In my hous...

Dakotazeb

Diamond Naturals lamb & Rice and Chicken & Rice rates higher than Pro Plan on Dog food advisers website and is cheaper. No brainer for me. I fed Purina one with good results for a few years but Diamond naturals is cheaper than it too. I know a lot of people feed Diamond and their dogs to very well....

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