Gun Dog Forum

RoostersMom

The wing isn't really a training tool, I would ditch it. Build a small enclosure for homing pigeons and buy some off of craigslist or at a local swap. Ezzy is right on track with socialization being the key right now - get that pup into every positive situation you can (Home Depot, county fairs, tri...

RoostersMom

I am absolutely no expert here, but my advice may be relevant. I have watched a lot of dogs in training in the past 2 years as I'm learning the field trial game. I've hunted for more than 15 years with birddogs. What I see as a major difference in dogs is whether they are "natural" or not. That cann...

RoostersMom

Dogless? Well, I truly believe (and live it) that you can do great things by fostering birddogs. Short term or long term commitment, only available for 2 months a year? A foster dog would welcome that time. Only have 3 weeks? To a birddog in an overcrowded rescue or shelter, this could be the time t...

RoostersMom

First off, unless they're a bunch of real buttheads, they will welcome you to attend. Second off, if it makes you uncomfortable to just show up - call someone on the board of the group (usually there will be a phone number listed somewhere - or email) and give them the heads up that you're a newbie ...

RoostersMom

I'm with Ray here - a solid recall would be very important for this dog. Many of the rescues I've worked with seem to have issues with recall. I would also focus the next couple of months on uber-socialization. Take her everywhere with you - she may or may not be well socialized. I would get her exp...

RoostersMom

I agree with Ezzy - a V wouldn't do well outside anyway, not just because of the cold. They are called Velcro dogs for a reason - they don't handle being alone or kenneled well. A pointer might be less inclined to get lonely - but either way, I sure wouldn't have just one dog outside all day long by...

RoostersMom

Go Allie!

RoostersMom

Has it been 2 weeks yet....how did it go? If not, let us know next Monday!

RoostersMom

Woodcock....do you know that bird?

RoostersMom

What the guys said - don't let her catch ANY if you can avoid it. And guess what, you can avoid it. Keep the dog on a checkcord if needed to stop her from grabbing a bird. It makes it ten times harder and you have to really hammer on a dog when you're whoa breaking it if it has already caught birds....

RoostersMom

A good flushing dog (here at least - maybe not over the pond) will catch a bird on the ground - I'm pretty sure they are supposed to do that. That's why they're flushers and not pointers. Any attempt by you to stifle that will likely result in a dog with less intensity and desire on the flush. If he...

RoostersMom

Wow,

He's growing up so fast. Love his "game face" he looks like a serious boy!

RoostersMom

Good luck and let us know how it goes. You can do it! I passed 2 MH with a dog I trained totally on my own - I did go to a trainer for some creeping issues and we managed to finish the following 4 tests without that issue re-surfacing. I hope you have fun with your dog - that, in the end, it what it...

RoostersMom

Awesome NICK! So excited for you guys - you sure deserve it after all the work.

RoostersMom

planning on trying these at some point. http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/duluthflex-fire-hose-briar-and-bramble-pants-20406.aspx I liked the fit of the Duluth pants - plus they were pretty sturdy - unfortunately (and maybe because I'm of the female persuasion), the zipper kept coming down...

RoostersMom

I have the standard and it works for me very well. I do recommend buying from the pheasants forever marketplace because the proceeds benefit wildlife habitat.

RoostersMom

I skipped SH based on advice from a trainer that I now use a lot. His basic philosophy is that if your dog is not 100% steady, that running your dog with other unsteady dogs will only make him harder to train in the long run. He has seen many HT and FT's where a chasing dog has caused another dog t...

RoostersMom

I thought I'd see pictures of blue heelers! Anyway, I think the co-owners need to have a written contract. I know a few folks that co-own dogs and they're pretty transparent about what's happening (with one, the owner FT's but doesn't show so the co-owner does all the showing) with the other lady I ...

RoostersMom

I skipped SH based on advice from a trainer that I now use a lot. His basic philosophy is that if your dog is not 100% steady, that running your dog with other unsteady dogs will only make him harder to train in the long run. He has seen many HT and FT's where a chasing dog has caused another dog to...

RoostersMom

Also, youngster, look at personality since you've stated that your siblings have dogs - you'll want to make sure that your new pup will be able to get along well with the others in the household. It really all does come back to what you want and what you can afford. The more dogs you see in action, ...

RoostersMom

A lab will be a great choice for you. However, you will need to look at the health clearances on these "family friend" dogs. Labs have a lot of hereditary issues that can cut short a dog's hunting career. I'm not sure what your budget is, so I won't make any assumptions. But I would not buy a lab pu...

RoostersMom

Give the command ONCE only. Enforce it immediately. If you cannot enforce it (if she is outside and you don't have a hold of her checkcord) then DO NOT give the command. NEVER give a command when you are not in a position to enforce it, EVER. This is the building block (IMO) for everything to come. ...

RoostersMom

I'd drive through the night and he'd likely sleep most of the way - but I'm a good night driver and enjoy doing overnights - that may not work for you well. It will take longer than you think once he's awake and you're having to stop a lot. Reminder: don't use rest stops or fast food or gas stations...

RoostersMom

Get a crate and make sure the dog likes it - however you have to make that happen. Then treat the dog like a puppy for potty training. Make it easy for him to learn. I have had many, many, adult foster dogs that were kennel dogs move into my home. Just keep an eagle eye on the dog when the dog isn't...

RoostersMom

I use the Perfection Kennel method. Simple, simple, simple. A collar, a dog and a leash. Lots of birds. No gimmicky stuff like a post, barrel, additional e-collars....but I'm biased, it has worked for my last 6 hunting only dogs and the current 4 I'm competing with. I like a method that makes sense ...

RoostersMom

It's becoming more standard for the pups to stay within the litter until 9-10 weeks old. Nothing good comes of taking them younger. I would certainly not take a pup before 8 weeks old. It's illegal in many states to even sell puppies younger than 8 weeks old. Times are a'changin and as good breeders...

RoostersMom

Karlee,

There is a NAVHDA Chapter out east of Albuquerque that might be willing to help you. Just google them and contact the president. I met several of them a few years ago, but have not stayed in contact with them.

RoostersMom

Ignore it for now, if it's still going on in a month, then you'll have to take measures. Many reasons breeders these days are getting pups into new homes no sooner than 9-10 weeks old - maturity is just one of those reasons. The last two pups we've had really have had no whining issues - they were a...

RoostersMom

Pike (800x533).jpg And the saga continues with my first trial dog(s). This was Pike's first broke dog stake (Pike is a Pointer - Four Rivers Commander and NSTRA dog). He didn't get to run in derby since Jon Hann (Perfection Kennel) counsels his folks not to run pups with unbroke dogs on birds they ...

RoostersMom

We vaccinate pups (fosters mostly since we don't breed) at 8 weeks or right before they go to their new homes at 9 weeks old. Then follow the Dodd's protocol for shots. Research seems to show overwhelmingly, that after the first year of shots, dogs have no real need (unless in an unusual area with o...

RoostersMom

Started for me means gun started, introduced to birds, will point more than a flash point, will come when called, heel is a bonus, sit is an absolute no-no for me - NO WHOA training for me. I don't like to see a dog working on whoa until over a year old (after his first bird season). Basically, here...

RoostersMom

Join the Rocky Mountain Vizsla Club - then get a copy of the Perfect Start DVD. Come to Missouri for one of the clinics that Perfection Kennel offers for RMVC members. You'll never regret it.

The RMVC is on facebook - Chris Corliss is great (a field trial judge as well as an AVID hunter).

RoostersMom

Keep using the method. It will eventually click for him. Our chessie took quite a bit of time before he actually started reaching for the roller. I just used more pressure and eventually found the right combination.

RoostersMom

The dremel has made our life so much better! 12 dogs, 48 feet......dremel all the way. I start older dogs (fosters, etc.) with peanut butter and one nail at a time. Slow and steady usually works. Quit while the dog is behaving and submitting to it. Don't keep going until they throw a fit.

RoostersMom

The Perfect Start/Perfect Finish DVD set is invaluable. Also, Jon Hann (trainer/owner at Perfection) has clinics - 4 days - where he helps you to train your own dog. They just did one down in Texas last year. Well worth the money to attend the clinic....

RoostersMom

I like a 30ft cord to teach quartering in the field and to reinforce recall commands. I let my dog drag it most of the time while they're out in the field.

RoostersMom

Don't throw good money after bad...this dog may well live to be 16 or so. Can you handle this behavior for the next 15 years? It does sound like he's not going to work out. Three months is a good trial period - most fosters I have in the home are adjusted by 6 weeks or so. I would have that tough di...

RoostersMom

My good hunting buddy lost two female setters a couple of years back, one to Pyometra and the other to mammary cancer. In both cases, his dogs would have survived had they been spayed (at least that's the vet said). I've never experienced it, but all my females are spayed when they reach maturity. I...

RoostersMom

Get one from Permatack and you won't need another for years. I think they are 30 footers.

RoostersMom

Deke, I don't disagree with operator error, but never having problems with potty training, because I watch them like an eagle, it's been a giant pain in the butt how many times he tries to mark in the house. He's gone from a 100% potty trained dog to a pissing fool that tries to mark everything ever...

RoostersMom

Craigslist is usually a good place to advertise.

RoostersMom

Might be I'm doing it wrong but raising 14 of our own inside dogs in the past 15 years, and fostering over 50 dogs in the same time frame, the only dog that has ever "marked" in the house is my very own FIRST unneutered male. Everything else we have (11 other dogs) is either spayed or neutered. Ever...

RoostersMom

Concrete is also a no-no as is jumping into and out of the truck. I know I haven't followed that advice in the past, but you live and learn more every year. I figure if they don't allow dogs to compete in jumping in agility until 18 months old - then you probably shouldn't allow them to jump in and ...

RoostersMom

I have had very good success with the Perfect Start DVD system (then the Perfect Finish). I find myself going back to the DVD when I have concerns - just finished watching it again for my newest pup. Also, the added value is that they sell like hotcakes on this site when you're finished with watchin...

RoostersMom

I really like it. I am a fan of the unusual names (Got a Rocks, Pike, Hammer, Evinrude, etc). I did find humor in the "speed" comment for Llewellins. Don't jump all over me though, the ones I've seen don't have ground speed like the Pointers I see in the field. They sure are gorgeous dogs, can't wai...

RoostersMom

What Swampbilly said, plus the stake out (I have a couple homemade) has the added benefit of letting the pup learn to be by itself in a safe environment. Either with you in plain sight or with you totally out of the picture (but perhaps monitoring through a window). That said, and I've only had this...

RoostersMom

Don, He's not so little anymore! I've really enjoyed watching him grow up through your pictures on this forum. He is a great looking dog. You are seriously making me re-think my "no setter" or more aptly "no-long hair" dog philosophy. Maybe a redhead would be good for me. I'm going to check out the ...

RoostersMom

Expose him to birds. Wings, not so useful. Live pigeons if you don't have wild birds. Puppies can have their prey instinct "turned on" by lots of exposure to live birds. You can't make them have a prey drive though, unless the genes are there for it. Here is a pic of first bird intro for a 9 week ol...

RoostersMom

I think a breeder (reputable) would be happy to take the dog back under any circumstances. I say that because they want what's best for that dog. Will they "judge" you? Yep. But if you're contacting them for the right reason (doing what's best for the dog) then who cares? Now, I don't know if I coul...

RoostersMom

I'll fall on the side of "erring for inside." All of our pointing dogs live inside most of the time. Our beagles live together in a pen and our chessies stay outside as well since they don't tolerate the heat inside very well. I would have to agree that some dogs are plenty happy outside. Having "A"...

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