Gun Dog Forum

Higgins

Screen Shot 2018-03-05 at 6.25.47 PM.png As many of you know, I train dogs for use in wingshooting and falconry. What makes the Higgins Method unique is that, instead of conventional obedience based methods, I train the dogs using the same method I use to successfully train hawks and falcons. Along...

Higgins

Now we're gettin' somewhere.

Higgins

I'm gonna make this easy. I no longer use "checkcords". That name causes confusion and conjures up images of obedience training. From this day forward, the rope I use with the dogs will be known as a "Higgins Learning Line". So let it be written, so let it be done.

Higgins

Higgins

For those that might still be interested in this thread. Here is the definition of Back-Chaining: "Back chaining in training refers to teaching a dog the last step in a sequence of tricks or commands first, and then working backwards to get to the first step in the sequence. Back chaining is normall...

Higgins

Thanks for sharing Mr. Higgins. I get it. Good stuff especially where the dogs get to make the decisions, to an extent. Keep sharing Sir. Feather finder, you make a good point. A major difference in my method is in the use of the checkcord. I always talk about giving the dogs free will to make choi...

Higgins

I see my method more as being based on natural cause-effect scenarios with the freedom to learn through trial-error, and a wild acting bird being the primary teacher. Much different from obedience-repetition based methods.

Higgins

Higgins

It all boils down to one simple thing that the dogs need to understand.......Don't chase. From the dogs point of view, all the rules and definitions people use including, steady to flush, steady to shot, steady to fall, etc., are simply releases to chase (retrieve). To the dog, steady to flush means...

Higgins

Hello Trekmoor, In my experience, once the dogs know what works, they rarely change strategy. This is especially true with the pointing dogs once they have built an association to the "alright" (flush/stop) verbal cue. Once I show the dogs how to be successful with me holding the 12 foot checkcord, ...

Higgins

Hello Featherfinder, Good, thoughtful question. Before any steadiness training, I introduce these type of dogs to the field. Let them learn about the birds, play bump and chase. This gives me a good idea what strategies they prefer. You are right that I can have a lot of influence at this time regar...

Higgins

Here is Moose. He is a Chocolate Lab/German Shorthair mix. This is a clip from a video I'm working on. It shows Moose when he was learning my flush/stop cue. I enjoy watching flusher/pointer mixes develop their particular hunting strategy. Will he stalk and point (like a pointer) or will he smell a ...

Higgins

Poll Question

Higgins

We have to be careful not to confuse obedience with trust. Trust is based on free will, obedience is not. I think it's better to nurture and promote natural cooperation being careful not to replace it with obedience.

Higgins

Higgins

Hello GHuff20ga, I don't think you need to put your dog through force fetch to encourage a nice retrieve. Encouraging a natural retrieve is easier and faster and you don't lose your dog's trust. Here are a couple of links to videos. They show some of the things I do to help the young pups learn to s...

Higgins

Hello Fozzie's Mom,

Are you going to use your Golden for upland hunting?

Higgins

Higgins

This video shows owners working with their dog, Katie, during a recent training hunt. I'm the one barking orders as usual. Katie handles the bird well and does a beautiful "flush/stop" on the "alright" cue. https://youtu.be/rMwzTxh9lP8 Hope you enjoy it. Brad Higgins Higgins Gundogs http://HigginsGu...

Higgins

Here is a link to a video that shows a successful pheasant restoration project. I banded all the birds when they were released, and we were still harvesting them seasons later. Lots of successful breeding in the subsequent seasons too. https://youtu.be/NAGGBQIKWPo Hope you enjoy it. Brad Higgins htt...

Higgins

Does anyone have experience with Georgia Giant Bobwhites? I hear they fly well and are used for training and release birds at clubs.

Brad Higgins

Higgins

Here is a recent video of one of our black pointer pups learning my flush/stop cue. You’ll see in the video, when she gets in a birdy area and begins to stalk, I physically connect her to me via a clamp on my vest to the checkcord. I do this in part, because I am not only the handler, but also the s...

Higgins

Featherfinder and Polmaise, You bring up some good points. I went back and added in some of the video from after she brought me the bird. In the early stages of retrieve, I want her to know it's her bird. As I build trust, she will choose to bring me the birds without my asking. Here is the longer v...

Higgins

Here is a video of some training today. I have a young pointer pup here that is learning my natural retrieve. You can see she has the bird I just shot, but she is not willing to share it with me. I do what I call the "retrieve walkaway". I simply turn around and leave. Now she has a problem to fix. ...

Higgins

Oh, my, Higgins! You're quite the accomplished belter! :P And here I am trying to figure out just how to walk and chew gum at the same time! Thank you. Some say it's the dry desert air. Here is a short video of the rest of the handlers and one of their favorite tunes. https://youtu.be/IJHZU5gbexs

Higgins

Must admit that the idea of "singing" to a dog as it hunts really has me scratching at my turnip ! :lol: The way I sing would mean I always had to hunt on my own ! Bill T. You mean, you don't all belt out show tunes as you plod around? "bleep"! I guess I'm trying to learn the wrong sport! For you F...

Higgins

Allowing the dogs to flush birds on my cue has been a very useful hunting technique. I use a verbal "alright" cue. The dogs do an aggressive flush and an immediate stop to that flush. Here is a video I did a while ago. It shows a Vizsla working a single chukar. You'll see in the video the dog had do...

Higgins

Hello gonehuntin' For this conversation, I want to make sure I understand the descriptions of the levels of steadiness. As described here, a "staunch" dog is a dog that is steady UNTIL the flush. When the bird flushes, he chases. A dog that is "steady to flush" is a dog that remains steady even thou...

Higgins

Most of the videos I see show dogs chasing birds after the flush, followed by the shooter pulling the trigger (killing the bird) over the running dog. Seems to me this would be rewarding the dog for chasing and being unsteady. Wouldn't a dog rock steady on flush be preferred. Your thoughts? Brad Hig...

Higgins

Hello Setterpoint,

What are you doing while she is working? Also, is it possible she is stalking moving birds?

Higgins

Higgins

In this video, Josie has just begun learning her new strategy. Instead of smelling a bird, accelerating, flushing and chasing, she has become stealthy and careful. To get to this point, first, we released birds in the hunting field and turned her loose to learn about hunting and the prey (birds). Sh...

Higgins

Hello Mrelite,

Here is a video that is not about heeling but claiming space. Keeps the dog at your side but does it in a way the dogs naturally understand. You can get it done in one session. Hope you find it interesting.

https://youtu.be/I3FEQcCY1E0

Brad Higgins
www.HigginsGundogs.com

Higgins

Here is a short video I think some will find interesting.

https://youtu.be/pCOWDZPumCo

Brad Higgins
www.HigginsGundogs.com

Higgins

Hello Sharon, Here is a video I did a while ago showing how I train the "flush/stop" cue. It's a big part of our training. Allowing the dogs to flush the birds (no chasing) on cue has made all the dogs much steadier overall. It's a lot more fun for the handlers and shooters too. https://youtu.be/sfu...

Higgins

Hello Sharon, Before a pup can be steadied, he has to know his role in the predator/prey dynamic. Think of wolves, coyotes, etc. Mom brings live prey back to the pups so they can learn their role. They need to learn what prey smells like, how it moves, how scent travels with the wind, the difference...

Higgins

Just put up a new video of the black European Pointer pups. Hope you enjoy it.

Here is the link

https://youtu.be/awZz-St-t54

Higgins Gundogs

Higgins

A client took a few photos during a training session last week. Here I am in the field with his setter. She is on point, managing a bird. This photo was taken just before I gave the shooter his cue to go out front into his shooting position. Once he was in place, I sent the dog in to flush the bird ...

Higgins

Hello Dottie, Good flying birds that flush when pressured by the dog (similar to a wild bird) are a must. If I had birds that I couldn't trust to flush, I would stop training until I found better birds. The way I see it, I don't train the dogs, that's the birds job. All I do is set up scenarios wher...

Higgins

Here is a recent photo of Glenn presenting the bird to the guns on command. An aggressive flush followed by an immediate stop to flush. Beautiful to see.

http://www.Higginsgundogs.com

Higgins

I made a deal with the dogs. I’ll let you do what you have always wanted to do, flush the bird. But, in return, you can only do it when I ask you to. I use a verbal “all right” cue. Once the dog is in the birdy area and points the bird, “All right” does not mean flush the bird. It simply means do wh...

Higgins

Hello Jjunkies,

Sounds like a nice pup you have there.

I like to build a lot of bird drive in the young pups before I ask for steadiness. Here is a video of a young pointer learning the ropes.

Hope you enjoy it.

https://vimeo.com/56924329

Higgins

Hello Brady124, Congratulations on your new Griffon. There are many ways to train gundogs. Griffs are intelligent and in many cases, sensitive dogs. Be careful when selecting a method. Go easy on strict obedience and take time to show the pup what you want. They're great dogs with a lot to offer. He...

Higgins

Hello Mountaindogs,

Here is a link to a video I did a while ago. It's about handling including controlling range, distance and direction.

https://vimeo.com/104148324

Hope you find it useful.

Brad Higgins
www. HigginsGundogs.com

Higgins

Hello Gundogguy, You're right, over here (the States) it's customary for the shooter or handler to flush the birds. Not so in most of the rest of the world. They expect the dogs to flush the birds on cue then stop (no chasing). Watch some of the UK videos. I think you'll find the different style int...

Higgins

Hello Mnaj_springer, Great question. All my clients want the "Flush/Stop" cue added to the other steadiness training that includes stop to flush, steady to flush, honoring, steady to shot, steady to fall, etc. They don't have to use it on every bird contact but it can be very useful in a number of h...

Higgins

The pups are 4 months old now. All are doing well. Here is Biscuit practicing the "flush" cue (I use the words "all right"). We're also working on her "stop to flush". I always use good flying birds that the pups can't catch. Her chases are getting shorter and shorter. Soon, she will stop chasing al...

Higgins

Here is one of the young pups learning about Partridge. You can see how important good flushing/flying birds are. They give the young dogs a reason to adopt an ambush (stalking and pointing) strategy. https://youtu.be/JX4lTYTgQFo The birds will train the dogs if you let them. Brad Higgins http://www...

Higgins

I made a deal with the dogs. I'll let you do what you have always wanted to do, flush the bird. But, in return, you can only do it when I ask you to. I use a verbal "all right" cue. Once the dog is in the birdy area and points the bird, "All right" does not mean flush the bird. It simply means do wh...

Higgins

Instead of the word "pressure", I like to use the word "stress". Stress can be felt and is managed (or not managed) by all involved, the handler, the shooter, the dog and the bird(s). Pressure the dog feels is just a part of the picture. We all know how to relieve the handler induced "pressure" the ...

Higgins

FullSizeRender.jpg IMG_8943.PNG The new pointer pups from our UK imports are 12 weeks old now. All are enjoying their field exposure. They're learning all the necessary associations (that exciting smell is a bird, scent flows downwind, etc.) that will make them good predators. They are beginning to...

Higgins

Here is a short video showing what I call the "reverse retrieve" When clients are having problems with the "retrieve" command (the dog is hard on birds, won't return, won't give it up, etc.), this can be helpful in understanding what might have caused the issue and how it can be resolved. It can als...

Higgins

Hello Jonesy, Everything here is based on my method of trust and cooperation. Some clients want a recall with e-collar backup. No problem. Never has been. I always start young dogs with checkcords. Check out my videos. You don't believe my method works. To each his own. It probably would not work fo...

Higgins

Katy just turned 8 months old. This video was filmed during her training sessions last week. Here she's demonstrating a high level of cooperation and steadiness with the Flush/Stop cue. As is the custom in the UK , Europe and most other countries, we want the dog to aggressively flush the bird on co...

Higgins

Here is a young Pointer learning the "get in" or as I say, the "flush/stop cue. I slowed the video down just as I give the cue (a quick movement of my shoulders toward the bird). I want the dog to believe that his stopping, after the flush, causes the gun to go off. He already knows that when the gu...

Search found 351 matches