Gun Dog Forum

CDN_Cocker

thanks for the comments guys. I think I am going to get the dog, train the dog to chase birds for a year and then get the chickens next year. My concern was balancing developing the dog's instinct for birds as it grows from a pup and not having it eat the chickens. I imagine that if I get the dog f...

CDN_Cocker

No versatiles... my cocker is more than adequate for both upland and waterfowl so whether I choose an upland specialist or a waterfowl one is really the key. I have a harder time getting excited about a waterfowl specialist which is why I'm flirting with the idea of a setter. I just don't know where...

CDN_Cocker

I think you'd be hard pressed to catch me clicker training or owning a bracco

CDN_Cocker

Lol I can't decide whether to go lab or setter. As a hunter I prefer upland...however I have many more opportunities for waterfowl so tend to do it more. I know a lab makes more sense I just can't get excited about it. My heart is with ruffed grouse and woodcock but I suppose my cocker fits that bill

CDN_Cocker

You can PM if you want. I'm just looking at different options. I haven't even settled on a setter yet. Just have my curiosity peaked.

CDN_Cocker

Anyone have a dun roven dog? Looking for general traits - biddability, nose, energy levels (suited as a house dog?), etc.

CDN_Cocker

Another thing to consider if you're looking to keep your chickens alive is that even if they're fenced and the dog just chases them the stress will kill some of them. It really doesn't make much sense - you're stressing out your chickens and going to intentionally train your dog to be neurotically o...

CDN_Cocker

I don't trust mine around the chickens so they are never out at the same time. I'm sure if I had the chickens first I could've taught him to leave them alone but I spent a lot of time teaching him to love birds and bring them to me before we had chickens that it's not fair to expect him to leave the...

CDN_Cocker

My dog does both. However I don't know that he distinguishes when we're in the field. His priority is always birds but is familiar with the scent of sheds so if he runs over one he'll scoop it up and bring it to me. But birds are king to him and that's alright with me. We went shed hunting on Saturd...

CDN_Cocker

You'll probably find that a grouse is actually easier to steady the dog too as they fly harder than a pigeon and are up and gone before the dog has a chance to chase. the harder the bird fly's is no measure of the steadiness of the dog !! Try a Rabbit ?..If you want to measure a chase :lol: Agreed ...

CDN_Cocker

I'm with Wullie on this one. Back up and break up the steps. You'll probably find that a grouse is actually easier to steady the dog too as they fly harder than a pigeon and are up and gone before the dog has a chance to chase. It sounds as though you skimmed through the lessons too quickly.

CDN_Cocker

I used to buy 6-10 pigeons at a time and kept them in a pet carrier. 3 or 4 days would be the max I'd keep them. After that they don't fly well.

CDN_Cocker

What did your trainer tell you was your next steps?

CDN_Cocker

I think my post probably sounded harsh but it wasn't meant to. My point was its not a stellar breeding and with a breed as common as a lab I would never settle for a litter that didn't come from health tested parents.

CDN_Cocker

What do you think looks good about the pedigrees? Few dogs that have hunt test titles and a couple fc's in the sire's pedigree. Nothing in the dams. Hard to tell from that. No doubt the pups will hunt but there's not many ancestors in the pedigrees that have proven themselves

CDN_Cocker

The problem is you gave him a wing. Pups will eat wings. Pretty normal. Not an exercise that you need to do.

CDN_Cocker

I think that's a personal question that's hard for someone else to answer for you. If you have kids in competitive sports and you work for a living I think you would have a hard time having 3-4 and bringing out their best potential. At least I would. 2 is my personal max. I currently am down to 1 do...

CDN_Cocker

I only have a cocker currently and he's a great all around hunting dog. Looking to add another dog next year, most likely a lab as I do a lot of goose hunting. Sure do love the look of setters and wirehairs though. Tough decision to make when you can't go out and get them all.

CDN_Cocker

It used to always post them properly now I can't even post from photo bucket.

CDN_Cocker

Mild weather made for some good training opportunities last week. Here's a shot of the little fella after some pile work. Getting lots of snow today so training will take a pause again.

CDN_Cocker

Our dog isn't allowed around the rabbit. He's bred to hunt. You can't take that out and expect a productive hunting dog in the field. Cass, got to ask before Bill T. and Robert get their dirks in: So you've got a spaniel and a not-open-for-training indoor rabbit pen? My, my. And what about the fort...

CDN_Cocker

Our dog isn't allowed around the rabbit. He's bred to hunt. You can't take that out and expect a productive hunting dog in the field.

CDN_Cocker

polmaise wrote:I must say 'Morris' is not the best commentator in the world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ9uxyZ ... e=youtu.be

Thanks for sharing polmaise. Love seeing the championship footage every year. Almost makes me want to buy the full copy.

CDN_Cocker

If your pups need to be sold on a non breeding contract you probably shouldn't be breeding the sire and dam. JMO.

CDN_Cocker

To allude to Mr. Carr whom you have mentioned - "If you train a young dog for momentum, precision will arrive. If you train for precision, demanding perfection, momentum will depart." - Rex Carr. I agree that the dog must know force. But I think lots of people that aren't as experienced with FF tend...

CDN_Cocker

Yes but it is the initial stages of pile work. By starting this way you can build momentum.

CDN_Cocker

Watch the video again. He is applying pressure with the ecollar

CDN_Cocker

Just curious, are you using e collar or healing stick as the instrument of force? In this vid Hillman talks about a dog that is slowing down watch the whole vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vHelvi-600 Great video Hal, I haven't seen this one before but its a good one! Bill has such a good way w...

CDN_Cocker

I think you'll find that with most well bred labs linebreeding isn't all that common. Most breeding/breeders I see tend to be top dog to top dog type breedings.

CDN_Cocker

I think there are 3 main reasons the average hunter stays away from field trial dogs. They think they're high strung, high priced and they don't know the difference between a decent dog and an exceptional one. Most guys have never seen a trial or a well trained trial dog so they don't even know what...

CDN_Cocker

Yes the dog is just showing reluctance. Speed will return.

CDN_Cocker

No real disadvantages. They're a necessity in the cold especially if doing any water work. As for fit, you'll be hard pressed to find a vest that fits perfectly. You will have to trim to fit.

CDN_Cocker

welsh wrote:With 15 guests for Xmas and both my energetic dogs ... and my little sister's kids being afraid of dogs ... and signs the pup is coming into heat ... I felt my mother needed wine.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

I try not to limit myself to needing to have a reason for wine

CDN_Cocker

Well the rain hit Xmas day and no snow left here. I might try to get out for some New Years grouse. This year brought a new job & a new pup, so I wasn't afield much. The pup is a loon and is being lots of fun. Spent Xmas inflicting on my aged parents a house full of kids and grandkids plus one high...

CDN_Cocker

Biggest thing is shaving and clipping hair between pads and toes.

CDN_Cocker

I agree Sharon and I think for the most part Ezzy has a good handle on things. I just hate seeing garbage like this on a board where we should be focused on the good stuff in life - dogs and hunting. I couldn't agree more but.................I try hard to let things go as far as possible but I will ...

CDN_Cocker

You can say what you want about me for the rest of this Post & I don't give a flying rip...... I also respect the "other bbd" mentioned here because it is run "ship shape". Some of the troll stuff I read here definitely falls under "an axe to grind". If it were up to me this would have been locked ...

CDN_Cocker

Merry Christmas from Ontario!

CDN_Cocker

As you apply pressure to the ear you should be moving his head/mouth forward to the dummy at the same time

CDN_Cocker

gundogguy wrote: I'm not sure Cass but are bragging or complaining about your sex life

Lol Hal! Nothing to brag about - I only have proof of getting lucky twice Hahaha

CDN_Cocker

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 fa...

CDN_Cocker

Well freezing rain foiled our plans for today. Spent the afternoon watching the Colts get a huge win. This is his excited face...

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CDN_Cocker

Is this nose, an aversion to cover or low drive? From your original post it sounds more like she isn't driven to get into the thick stuff. I would say my dog's nose is better in the snow - and we get a lot of it. This could be an experience thing more than anything. I'd be hunting her as much as pos...

CDN_Cocker

How's everyone's hunting season going? This fall has been a bit different for Jake and I as we have done more waterfowl than anything - specifically geese. We've been out only a handful of times for grouse and woodcock and while the boy has been finding them and rock solid for me - my shooting on th...

CDN_Cocker

Not a pointy dog guy but excited to see part 2

CDN_Cocker

Sharon wrote:I feel really badly that for 5 years you've had a wild dog in the house Nick. I know it isn't you,because you definitely know what you are doing.Should we bring up hyperkinesis ?

Lol most definitely not. I just like to say he operates at a higher frequency lol

CDN_Cocker

Yes I'm ok with that stage when young but when the dog is 4 or 5 years old and still wound up like a top it can wear on your nerves... or the wife's (which in turn wears on yours lol). I know all dogs are individuals but just as a whole spaniels tend to be busier than labs... just as terriers tend t...

CDN_Cocker

I've had a number of breeds and hunted waterfowl and upland birds with all of them. I've never found a perfect dog for all types of bird hunting. My observations of the pros and cons of several types might help you decide: Springer Spaniel, great Pheasant flusher, good water fowl retreiver in lakes...

CDN_Cocker

I wouldn't be jumping for the e-collar yet as it sounds like she hasn't even been through basic obedience drills yet. Get her on a leash and get at it. You are never going to regret teaching your dog manners and in no way is it going to make her less of a bird dog - on the contrary it will make her ...

CDN_Cocker

I'm inclined to agree with Timewise. A gun dog is bred to find and produce game for the gun, find and retrieve downed game, and deliver it to hand. Whether the dog points, flushes, or sings you a song about it, that is just a different method of doing the same fundamental tasks. There may be slight ...

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