Gun Dog Forum

Featherfinder

Well said Trekmoor! "Start them early." And...I imagine we all have that same "fever" but it hasn't reached pandemic proportions yet, although it has gotten...spicey. The moderators are earning their keep these days! :D Kudos to our moderators, sincerely! I would like to suggest something to try, ju...

Featherfinder

DonF, is number 8 a male? I may have an interested party in KS.

Featherfinder

Great enthusiasm. Gotta love that!
Those eyes tell me, that is one SMART dog!

Featherfinder

SO true Sir! Man, what great pics!!

Featherfinder

Both Stock and Switchgrass suggest what I did, when I had a johnny house. I took my time ensuring they were accustomed to the JH. I shortened their feed supply prior to a release in which I released ALL the birds nearby - both sexes - leaving only one sturdy looking male alone. He didn't care for be...

Featherfinder

Great pic!!

Featherfinder

DonF, pups are born with and live with humans up to that 5-6+ months. If they haven't "bonded" by then, they never will. It is far more stressful for a pup to be taken away from it's mother/littermates to it's new home (8 weeks old or so) than from that home to a decent trainer. It shows you just ho...

Featherfinder

Gonehuntin', I appreciate what you are saying and couldn't agree with you more. I built my training reputation on taking 4 dogs in at a time...MAX. I used to take 6 when I was a bit younger. It's true. Some trainers have 20+ dogs and staff to help. Here, my clients don't want someone else looking af...

Featherfinder

A man is born just a head - no body, arms, legs....nothing but a head. So, his friend takes him to the local pub where he has his first pint. Low-and-behold, his toes pop out! He has a second pint and his arms pop out!! He has a third pint and his legs pop out!!! He is SO thrilled he runs out of the...

Featherfinder

We have a niece in Evergreen, CO. They are well. Just staying home....
Stay healthy Ratdog. Don't take chances. I'd hate to see you miss your appointment with "Tom"!

Featherfinder

Really sassy looking pups!

Featherfinder

Just want to wish everyone a happy Easter. Try to adhere to the physical distancing so that we can all get back to hunting this fall...perhaps.
God bless!

Featherfinder

Oh...sorry CJ.
Actually, I do know what it takes to make a MH but that's no excuse for me complimenting you.

Featherfinder

Why is it silly? I think it's commendable CJ. Of course, the price might have been marginally higher than for an untrained pup?

Featherfinder

There is a far greater spectrum in modern shot-shells than you can get from chokes in general. I hunt with a good friend in AZ for quail. He uses a 28 gauge choked skeet1 and skeet2. He shoots differently than I. What is sometimes lost in wild bird hunting regardless of species is the over-all exper...

Featherfinder

That is SO true Shags, because a pup is ALWAYS learning. I would LOVE to have had access to nice families to bring young pups along in their homes!!

Featherfinder

Thanks AV! Yup...that's great!

Featherfinder

Averageguy, I haven't seen the Perfect Start series so... I ask you, "Does the Perfect Start recommend you wait to train until the dog is older or does it at all recommend WHEN as well as how to start?"
Perhaps it's a general How-To series? Admittedly, I don't know.

Featherfinder

Gonehuntin', I couldn't disagree with you more regarding starting a dog with a pro at 5 months. Now, you touched on a very salient point. Not ANY trainer understands the value in getting a young pup and nurturing him along so that pup is allowed to blossom in a controlled setting . Heck, done right,...

Featherfinder

Superb! I'm confident that both you and your dog will grow together into our beloved sport.
I am SO passionate about bird dogs and bird hunting that I can get almost fanatical. I mean well.

Featherfinder

Spot on AV. Geeez DonF, too bad you didn't go into that relationship with that super-bred young pointer knowing how to redirect that power into a super-gun-dog early on! Can you imagine what you'd have today!?!?! Many renegade dogs are not brought along/nurtured to work WITH the owner. Too often, th...

Featherfinder

Spot on Shags/CJ. The thing to remember is that - although it was not your intention to develop a screamin' demon - pup is a product of his environment. While pups are pups, I believe the degree of what pup is, came from his home environment. So what is key here is that when pup returns home, you wi...

Featherfinder

VERY sage info Garrison. Your point resonates here because I see my fair share of folk that try to train their own dogs, folk that think wild birds will train their dog, folks that seek a pro, folk that buy various degrees of already trained dogs. It's not a one-size-fits-all, as you succinctly offe...

Featherfinder

NAVHDA's handler-dominant show-ish concept attracts a certain clientele. I guess it depends on what you aspire for your GSP.
I think Shags has you pointed in the right direction.

Featherfinder

Well, I learned something for sure Averageguy. Obviously, DD breed-lines/genetics are not that familiar to me. I have worked with them but do not have enough of a personal interest in the breed to delve into the German mantra because like most of these concepts, they are as effective of the PEOPLE t...

Featherfinder

Polmaise, you are spot on! Today, too many of the breeders are blinded by $$$$$. To say that breeders do not breed for a profit is as much a lie. I'm not here to judge. Here is a good one to make a point re breeder integrity. I know of a DD breeder not that far from "here". As many know here, DDs ar...

Featherfinder

Fonzie, your dogs sounds like....a GSP. :lol: You have some very good advice already, above. That said, you will have a long and arduous journey rife with hurdles if you don't have a clear plan/template moving forward. To me, it sounds like you know where you're at today and know what you want to en...

Featherfinder

LOVE the videos!! GREAT progress Sir!! ...admirable, and so young!

As for OB being restrictive, it is only as restrictive as the commands emanating from the (over) handler. Otherwise, it's all good, no?
Kudos to you.

Featherfinder

Well Chris, you have learned something already regarding the value of a pedigree. That should not be overlooked. That ped is intended to give you support in your decision before moving forward. That said - this being your first dog - you already blew the selection of my first dog right out of the tu...

Featherfinder

Polmaise, I am offended by your comment above. So what if I get strange when my dog's on point?!?
Oh...I get it now. Sorry...

Featherfinder

Devilscreekw, that is one mighty fine lookin' dog you have there!
Sounds like you have that dog in fine shape too. He must have muscles in his farts!

Y'all can borrow that....

Featherfinder

I'm not familiar with any of the dogs on that ped but that is not necessarily an indicator. I know a few prominent GSP lines but not near as many as others on this site. Admittedly, I'm not a GSP aficionado. Chris, what I don't see are the right kind of titles/acronyms up front. For me personally, J...

Featherfinder

Aye... Sipping a wee dram the noo, good Sir. Mmmm…
Saw the grandchildren today...from awah. Tough, but we shall persevere!
Stay well y'all and don't assume you can let your guard down. It might have grave consequences.

Featherfinder

Thank you kindly Polmaise. Very interesting.
Now.....about that wee dram?

Featherfinder

I agree with CJ, cewoz, bobman, et al. Your Drahhtaar or GWP (most well bred versatiles) should be able to do birds, rabbits, track big game, waterfowling, etc. The thing is, the answer is not far from, "How do you hunt your DD for birds?" Do you let the dog break on the flush or on the shot or is i...

Featherfinder

Trekmoor, I would offer that there are many ways/processes to achieve success. There are almost as many definitions of success. Then there is yet another definition of wild bird species, utile opportunities/available numbers of wild birds, appropriate habitat that would serve a young dog at influent...

Featherfinder

A little levity:

Never buy a border collie...jpg

Featherfinder

Well said Birddogger/Ray G. In this synthetic medium we too rarely connect with the human at the other end but we more easily connect with the dog. (In some cases it's because WE made those same mistakes - some of us repeatedly. :oops: ) We are all here because of the dogs so it's understandable but...

Featherfinder

I've seen the very same thing Shags! Amazing juvenile dogs - gone from adult stakes. Then again, I see TONS of gun dog videos where the adult dogs aren't remotely near steady either. How is that different - because they aren't being judged? Oh...wait...I know...it's because they prefer not to have a...

Featherfinder

Thanks for clarifying Veggie. No, it is not normal for the pup to run back to you, typically. Sometimes, when a young pup is improperly introduced to a pigeon or worse an adult pheasant, the pup can get slapped or spooked by the strong wings. That's why I recommend coturnix quail for the more sensit...

Featherfinder

I wish to reiterate a sage observation from Shags: "For the life of me, I do not understand why people take young dogs out in uncontrolled/uncontrollable situations..."
I have found this to be more the norm than the exception, Veggie aside.

Featherfinder

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, Shags!!! Veggie, you need to set the stage for learning so that success is the only option. The point being that if the stage is set properly, you need not spoon feed OR speak through the process. In this way, a dog can think it is learning of it's own decisions, vol...

Featherfinder

I retracted my original post because it was unwarranted. You are correct Setterpoint re steadying that dog. There are MANY processes for steadying a dog. My way of doing things won't serve the current path you are on, but there are many here that can make better recommendations than I. As for it bei...

Featherfinder

That is VERY cool Irishwhistler!
Thanks for sharing!

Featherfinder

Thanks for the update Ratdog!

Featherfinder

Great stuff!! Watching pups is SO much fun! Looks like you're right on target Averageguy.
Yes...these are troubling times for sure and yet a pup can put a smile on our faces.
Find time for prayer.

Featherfinder

Averageguy, I concur with starting your pup earlier rather than later. Now, training for a young pup is suited to the fact that he's a pup but it is none-the-less training or if you prefer, learning opportunities tailored to your pup. If you are a cookie cutter trainer, you might have to wait until ...

Featherfinder

Dandrus, you touched on yet another attribute of the bell-less dog! As I said, my mind used to shut off the intrusion of a pinging bell after a period of time. It's true! I saw my dog cross a two-track in front but not far from me and wondered if he had lost his bell? I said to my buddy, "Did he los...

Featherfinder

"Advantageous"...for your Vet, perhaps?

Featherfinder

Gotta remember that Shags. 3s...good one!
oldbeek, I'm guessing you have more opportunities now too...many more. Good call.
Yes, I once had a yote chase my female setter to within 30 yards. Good old Emma sure could boogey! Still miss her.

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