Search found 3297 matches

by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:34 am
Forum: Horses
Topic: Right Size for Horse
Replies: 10
Views: 5264

Re: Right Size for Horse

For me, the height of the horse is much more about how easy oit wll be for me to haul my fat butt up there. There ain't no way I am going to get up on a 16 hand horse unless I have a stepladder or someone has taught the horse to kneel down. My horses are 15-1 and 15-2 Tennesee Walkers and they both ...
by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:02 am
Forum: Training
Topic: pigeon catch
Replies: 7
Views: 3169

Re: pigeon catch

Basspow - Based on what you have written, since you have elec. remote launchers, I would immediately start launching birds as soon as the dog gets in the area. Your dog has obvioulsy learned that it can road in with impunity and evn catch the birds. That ain't good. You have to, in my opinkion...bac...
by RayGubernat
Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pointer- Setter biased world???
Replies: 20
Views: 5000

Re: Pointer- Setter biased world???

DGF -

That was pretty funny stuff. I wish we weren't the best part of a continent apart. Sounds like we have the same kind of slightly warped sense of humor.

Have fun and be careful out there.

RayG
by RayGubernat
Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog in Surgery
Replies: 19
Views: 4231

Re: Dog in Surgery

If the cancer hasn't spread, your dog has a good shot, I think. I had a female pointer many years ago that had mammary cancer . She was about six or seven as I recall. I decided to have it removed and she had several more productive years, eventually succumbing to a siezure/stroke/heart attack of so...
by RayGubernat
Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:34 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Need Advice on steadiness
Replies: 8
Views: 2884

Re: Need Advice on steadiness

My personal choice , if I wanted to comepte with the dog would be to break both dogs steady to wing and shot and keep them there...but that is not the easiest thing to do when you are in a hunting mode rather than a training mode. If you are not will ing to do what is necessary(pass up shots, corre...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: How old were you when you got your first gun?
Replies: 30
Views: 9032

Re: How old were you when you got your first gun?

I got my first gun when I was nearly twelve, a few months before the upland hunting season.It was my dad's first gun, a 12 ga. LC Smith. It was muzzle heavy, handled with all the crispness of a waterlogged two by four and kicked like a mule, but I didn't care. I finally had a gun! I was a hunter! Yo...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:12 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pointer- Setter biased world???
Replies: 20
Views: 5000

Re: Pointer- Setter biased world???

3 Briitts- You wrote: "I guess that you get a long tell because you need a signal to tell you that your dog in on a bird. With a Brittany, you don't need a sign. You just know your dog is on birds. In other words, big tails run, short tails find. I guess it is run aways vs. birddogs." I guess some p...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Need Advice on steadiness
Replies: 8
Views: 2884

Re: Need Advice on steadiness

Luke - If you are going to hunt the dogs, one way or the other, I would say forget about it for now and come back to it next spring and summer. My personal choice , if I wanted to comepte with the dog would be to break both dogs steady to wing and shot and keep them there...but that is not the easie...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:34 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steps at the shot
Replies: 23
Views: 7092

Re: Steps at the shot

Fuzz - I wanted to tell Fran what a nice dog that wire of his is. Didn't get the chance, because I had my handls full with Brownie, so please convey my thoughts. My guys came home, went into their doggie pool in the yard and went into their kennels...lights out. THEY WERE POOPED. The horses were vwe...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:19 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?
Replies: 109
Views: 26709

Re: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?

Mr. Busch seemed to focus on the positive. Perhaps that is part of the reason why he could play this demanding, frustrating, humiliating, crazy game for thirty plus years and still be having fun.

I don't know the man but he sounds like he has it together just right.

RayG
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:33 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steps at the shot
Replies: 23
Views: 7092

Re: Steps at the shot

Fuzznut - It was good to see you. Sorry you had to pick your boy up. If it is any consolation, my dog didn't make it much farther. She went to the next hedgerow, pointed and a bird went up, then she decided to play bump and chase. She is usually an incredibly reliable and very honest dog. Oh well. G...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?
Replies: 109
Views: 26709

Re: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?

Gar-dog - So WHAT! It is a puppy stake. Puppies are going todo what puppies are going to do. There is not much that you or anyone can do about that except grin and bear it. Puppies can do no wrong, and anybody who can't handle the fact that a first time handler and first time puppy might just do som...
by RayGubernat
Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:57 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Starting w/ e collar - Problem
Replies: 13
Views: 3001

Re: Starting w/ e collar - Problem

I have very limited exposure to Vislak(2-3). My observations of those dogs leads me to believe that the e-collar is not the best way to go with a V, in general. Specifically, the dogs I have seen would not, in my mind be good candidates for repetitive avoidance training with an e-collar. They were s...
by RayGubernat
Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?
Replies: 109
Views: 26709

Re: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?

Sharon- The conventional wisdom is this...you cannot win with a back but you can sure lose with a failed back. I certainly agree that a solid back is impressive, and shows advanced manners, however, there is no firm judicial standard other than a dog must back when presented with the opportunity. Ye...
by RayGubernat
Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:09 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: launcher electronics wet
Replies: 11
Views: 3993

Re: launcher electronics wet

Most of that stuff is all solid state. Once you dry it out THOROGHLY it will probably either work just fine for the next fifty years or be fried. I have Dogtras and what I did was to mount the base of the launcher on a small platform of 1/2" exterior plywood that was about 2" bigger all around than ...
by RayGubernat
Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Pointer- Setter biased world???
Replies: 20
Views: 5000

Re: Pointer- Setter biased world???

This kind of complaining goes o all the time. Lets see... Short tailed dogs can't get a fair shake from longtail judges. Longtail guys can't get a fair shake form short tial judges. No sense entering a brittany club all age stake with anything but a brittany because first palce is reserved for Britt...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hello
Replies: 31
Views: 6480

Re: Hello

Vicki- Bird dogs and hunting dogs in general are wonderful animals. They are bred to work with and for their human partner and to do it with joy and enthusiasm(sometimes far too much enthusiasm). Hunting is one of those ways they can work with you but it is far from the ony way. Not all bird dogs ma...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:42 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Help with a registration name
Replies: 18
Views: 5995

Re: Help with a registration name

Gar-dog - I registered several dogs AKC using open registration which is not the normal route. i seem to recall that it was a matter of weeks(3-4) to get the registration back. I would contact the trial chair or secretary and explain the situation immediately prior to sending in the entry. I bet the...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Puppy size
Replies: 4
Views: 1256

Re: Puppy size

I understand that a dog at about 16 weeks is about half the weight that it will be as an adult...if that helps at all. With pointers, by the time they are six months of age, they are nearly fully grown as far as height is concerned. They aren't at their full adult weight until after one year of age....
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:12 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Hello
Replies: 31
Views: 6480

Re: Hello

My guess would be an english pointer that might just be gunshy or just a little too soft for the original owner. Like the previous poster said, if it starts stalking and pointing butterflies and such...you will have your answer. If it is a pointer or even an undocked shorthair, be advised that these...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?
Replies: 109
Views: 26709

Re: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?

Guys - Here's the deal. When you start out the horse will be walking at a flat walk, probably about 3-4 mph. The walking handler will have no problem with that. If there is a point and back situation each time there is a find, the brace should continue on at a nice walking pace. However if the walki...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:48 am
Forum: Training
Topic: what when to do
Replies: 6
Views: 1085

Re: what when to do

Hurley - I never met a beagle that didn't want to hunt something. I don't know what kind of spaniel is in there so I can't comment other than if it was a springer or Brittany, you should be fine in the hunting ability department. I agree with the posters who encouraged you to keep the dog within a c...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:35 am
Forum: Training
Topic: any training when in season
Replies: 6
Views: 1909

Re: any training when in season

I have had much more trouble with my males keeping their "heads in the game" when one of the females is in heat..than with the female themselves. I would plan on doing more conditioning work than anything elxe, first for safety's sake and second because the raging hormones won't affect that aspect o...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Long drive with new pup - any tips?
Replies: 11
Views: 1622

Re: Long drive with new pup - any tips?

Boy - Did this post bring back memories. About 7 years ago my son and I went from NJ to southern Alabama to pick up a pup. We left there in the afternoon, drove all night and through half the morning. The pup spent most of the trip in my son's arms. He was too new of a driver at the time. I let him ...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:13 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: are males or females easier to train?
Replies: 16
Views: 5461

Re: are males or females easier to train?

My experience has been that females tend to come along with less pressure and they tend to stay right with less "brushing up" than males. Especially in the last dozen years or so. Males tend to be less likely to hold a grudge, taking the correction and bouncing back, where females tend to take it to...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Aggressive neighbors dog, what should we do?
Replies: 26
Views: 8854

Re: Aggressive neighbors dog, what should we do?

I would not deal with the neighbor any further on this. Further discussion is pointless and you are well beyond that anyway. I would let the vet office make their report to animal control. They are, as I understand it, obligated to do so. When animal control comes by, tell them exactly what happened...
by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:12 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steps at the shot
Replies: 23
Views: 7092

Re: Steps at the shot

Fuzznut - I get to play this weekend. Blow the whistle, kick the horse in the slats and hang on. OOPS, I forgot... this ain't an AF trial is is AKC and a Gundog stake. Gotta remember...DON'T blow whistle...DON'T kick horse in slats... Try to keep your big mouth shut...Flat walk, Ray...Flat walk. See...
by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:54 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Steps at the shot
Replies: 23
Views: 7092

Re: Steps at the shot

Fuzznut - Happy feet are a royal pain in the butt. They will get you thrown out...every time. Before you go to the collar, I'd suggest you try some bench work. I would do some heel/whoa drills with the dog in the yard and with the dog stopped, I would, push(not shove but Puuuuush) and pull(not yank,...
by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Struggling with attention and heel on leash
Replies: 12
Views: 4430

Re: Struggling with attention and heel on leash

Ecw21 - At 2 years old, the youngster should know what heel means, so i think you may have taught her that pushing the envelope works. Suggestions; Get a command lead and do som heel drills in the yard... turning, stopping starting. Do it silently...no commands or signals whatever. Make the dog pay ...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:16 pm
Forum: Horses
Topic: Horse questions.
Replies: 17
Views: 6528

Re: Horse questions.

Ruffshooter - check out this link http://www.akc.org/events/search/ select the timeframe you are interested in, select field trial and select the states. A listiung will come up. Be advised that the order in which the stakes are listed on the AKC website is NOT the order in which they will be run. Y...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:37 pm
Forum: Horses
Topic: Horse questions.
Replies: 17
Views: 6528

Re: Horse questions.

Ruff - Thought of a few more things you should know. It's not exactly a vet bill but your horse should be seen by an equine dentist(not a vet who does dentistry as a sideline, but a real horse dentist) at least once a year. Horses need their teath "floated" or smoothed doiwn with a rasp to eliminate...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:11 pm
Forum: Horses
Topic: Horse questions.
Replies: 17
Views: 6528

Re: Horse questions.

Ruff - The other posters have given it to you straight. I would add that my hoses eat about 25#(1/2 bale) of good quality hay per day as well as about 5# of pelleted feed, each split into two servings...morning and evening. The age and expereince of the horse is important but the most important thin...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:38 am
Forum: Horses
Topic: Training to "Ground Tie"
Replies: 28
Views: 11447

Re: Training to "Ground Tie"

My one horse was ground tied by a pro handler. I am pretty sure they did it without electricity. I taught my other horse to ground tie without the e-collar. Just repetitions on the ground with the reins and a long lead(used a checkcord actually). Neither is perfect, but they generally get it done, e...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:14 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?
Replies: 109
Views: 26709

Re: Walking in Horse back trial, and a ?

If I were braced with a walking handler, I'd first try to get them to ride my other horse. I'd rather do without a scout than have to contend with the trying to handle and hold both my horse and my dog back. If that wasn't to be, I'd probably get off and walk myself although I wouldn't be real happy...
by RayGubernat
Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:53 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Do we train our pup's to early??
Replies: 12
Views: 4032

Re: Do we train our pup's to early??

I have come to realize that we make impressions on our dogs and they learn things from us and interactions with us...whether we intend it or not. So, in effect, we are teaching them things all the time. So it is not about whether we should "teach" the dog or not but rather "what" we should be convey...
by RayGubernat
Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:17 pm
Forum: GDF "Hall of Fame" Posts
Topic: Ivomec ?
Replies: 104
Views: 94652

Re: Ivomec ?

Folks - Since we are bumping this thread up again...let's not forget that the REAL dosage for the prevention of heartworm is 273 MICROgrams for a 50-100 # dog. That is several orders of magnitude below what most folks(including myself) dose when using the Ivomec injectable for cattle which is 1% or ...
by RayGubernat
Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:12 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog pricing
Replies: 302
Views: 58024

Re: Dog pricing

I agree on the number of birds, but my client wanted him now, and so I sold him. Yes they all have their own pace, Pointers being a quick one! Is that why they over run more birds than Britts do? :wink: A bit of scarcasum to liven up the day. The plain fact of the matter is that...with some excepti...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: James Lipton type question for you.
Replies: 17
Views: 4592

Re: James Lipton type question for you.

dogdr - I don't know about that one. If my dad is standing there with Jack and Cindy locked up on a nice covey or a big fat rooster...the good Lord will just have to wait a bit longer for me to say Hi. Heck, he waited all my life and if he waited that long, what's a few more minutes relative to eter...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:13 pm
Forum: Horses
Topic: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses
Replies: 28
Views: 10937

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Horses ae 1000#, give or take, water is 8# a gallon,hay is 40# per bale, saddle and tack is about 50#. Trailer weights vary from 1500# to 3500# for a two horse, depending on construction materials(aluminum or steel) and style(stock versusstraight load with tack room. Even one horse in a two horse tr...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:17 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Backing...
Replies: 7
Views: 2109

Re: Backing...

I do agree that the back should be on sight. HOWEVER...it is quite important that each and every time the dog backs in training, that a live bird is produced and the backing dog sees it fly away. The dog will make the connection...pointing dog...BIRD HERE!..."I'd better stop." Without a live bird, t...
by RayGubernat
Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:46 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: James Lipton type question for you.
Replies: 17
Views: 4592

Re: James Lipton type question for you.

I don't shoot something I won't eat so I'd say forget the guns. Trade the gun for my Blackie so I could ride and follow along. That's waaaay more fun anyhow...for me. As far as which birds I'd say "surprise me". Which bird my dogs point is kinda irrelevant. Picking just one dog would, however, be a ...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: To breed or not to breed?
Replies: 9
Views: 1825

Re: To breed or not to breed?

For me the answer is pretty simple... If I can buy as good or better of a pup than I can breed from my own dogs, I have no desire to breed and there is no good reason to put more pups on the planet. I had a litter two years ago. The two pups I kept are turning out nice but are not quite what I had h...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:03 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Help with CC and pigeons......
Replies: 22
Views: 4438

Re: Help with CC and pigeons......

Barry - A figure eight knot on the end of the checkcord is a great idea, IF you are holding it, as it gives your hand something to grab, helping prevent the cord from slipping out of your hand as the dog lunges forward. You just gotta remember to undo the knot if you are letting the dog run free. Th...
by RayGubernat
Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Help with CC and pigeons......
Replies: 22
Views: 4438

Re: Help with CC and pigeons......

GSPbearman - It is imperative that you use a heavy stif rope, if you are letting the dog drag it. Mine are 7/16 or 1/2" and very stif so they lay down in the weeds. They are constructed with a stiff center core so they lay out and do not whip around. You already figured out the part about needing to...
by RayGubernat
Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:52 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Help with CC and pigeons......
Replies: 22
Views: 4438

Re: Help with CC and pigeons......

GSPBearMan - I am going tosuggest something a little different. I feel that you are going down a wrong road with your youngster. Not necessarily a bad direction, but one which has a lot of pitfalls, some of which you have already stumbled across. The first thing I am going to suggest is that you do ...
by RayGubernat
Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:04 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: What should I be looking for in a food?
Replies: 68
Views: 12477

Re: What should I be looking for in a food?

Gabe - I cannot cite any documentary evidence, but I will just tell you what has worked for me in the past. As far as puppy food, I have alwasy used Kasco Puppy formula which is a 30/20 feed(30% Protein, 20% fat. I typically keep the pup on puppy formula until it is about five to six months old and ...
by RayGubernat
Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:29 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Vacinations can you give yourself
Replies: 9
Views: 3734

Re: Vacinations can you give yourself

Scott - I believe that in PA any dog owner can give a dog all vaccinations except rabies. I have taken to giving my dogs theie shots. The typical 6 way vaccine is available as a 25 dose package consisting of two vials. you need to supply the syringe. For most dog owners this is not economical. Howev...
by RayGubernat
Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:52 pm
Forum: Horses
Topic: M & W Trooper Saddle
Replies: 4
Views: 2728

Re: M & W Trooper Saddle

Brian - I love the feel of the M & W...for the first thirty minutes or so. It slowly gets more and more uncomfortable for me. Sort of like my legs are the wishbones of a chicken and are slowly being pulled apart. After about and hour and a half it was really uncomfortable for me. I also tried a Buen...
by RayGubernat
Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Dog training in the city or suburbs?
Replies: 13
Views: 7923

Re: Dog training in the city or suburbs?

JFS - Until five years ago I lived in a subdivision in central NJ. My property was 100X125. I trained several dogs including three that actually competed and placed in AF trials (2 in walking stakes and 1 in horseback stakes). The nearest decent place to run my dogs was 45 minutes away. The nearest ...
by RayGubernat
Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:45 am
Forum: Training
Topic: e-collar around flank?
Replies: 14
Views: 5590

Re: e-collar around flank?

Ryan -

Thank you very much for that informative and insightful post. I'm certain we all know quite a bit more now than we did before your post.

RayG