Gun Dog Forum

Great information! Thank you Welsh for explaining the process of steadying a spaniel...you have no idea how helpful this is for me. I am going to print it out and start working on it right away! Your dog is only 6 months, don't focus too much on steadying yet. Its fine if she chases it for miles - ...

Nothing wrong here. The pup will learn. And catching a bird just makes the flush bolder. Just keep working with him.

Let me explain by using an example....

In Minneapolis, MN on 12/28/13 the mean temp was 34 degrees. On that same day the average relative humidity level was 77%... Add those up and you get.... 111! See where I'm going with this?

PS... This is according to Weather Underground's website.

Haha maybe down there, maybe it's a generational thing, but I've never seen it measured as temperature plus humidity percentage.... That's like adding apples and oranges and getting bacon, at least in my opinion. Heat index seems like the most common way to include humidity.... Especially because 1%...

Take a tether and stake, plus lots of water and a bowl. Don't send him on every downed bird, and for sure don't let him run amock. Young dogs should drag a check cord. He must be kept under control. Avoid large groups. Again, lots of water, I go through 5 gallons an hour, but I am in the South, tem...

Lucky Dog, thanks for sharing! It gives a unique perspective. But I had to pause it halfway through because of motion sickness!

Well in MN, you can use lead on private land. On public land it depends... Areas designated at waterfowl areas generally make non-toxic shot a requirement...

Kinda like asking "Who's got money to waste?" Haha

Nah, I'm kidding. I'm in human services... I don't even have a go pro. But I can't wait to see the videos

It seems like doing some cross training with a pointer trainer could help, knowing their training emphasizes that a dog never catches a bird.... Maybe using pigeons in launchers to teach the dog he can't catch the bird? Welsh is right... clipwings would be detrimental to training this skill.

So I understand this situation clearly... You asked people on this forum how to train a for a particular behavior, but you already know how you will train it?

Putting things in his mouth is tactile exploration. He's learning about his world using his nose and mouth... Lots of puppies do this, and so do babies.

Ok. Yeah, this weekend we used chukars for the hunt test... Some flushed great, some didn't stand a chance and got pegged.

This is how I'd train that.... I wouldn't! Haha sorry. No clue here. Never would try.

Maybe you can chalk this question up to naïveté, but are you essentially asking how to train flushing dogs to "flush?"

Cass, out of curiosity, what kind of birds were you using?

I went to a spaniel hunt test today which was a blast, and I brought the pup along (just to socialize). At the end of the day we took some of the dead chukar to train with. She retrieved the bird just fine, although there was some feather pulling and experimenting with how to handle wings. Overall a...

You should be successful with that plan. Good luck!

Any updates on this story?

Also this is my favorite post to read... It had more twists and suspense than a Tarantino movie!

I haven't heard anything specific this year, but have you looked into staying in Jamestown or Valley City and then hunting the Ellendale/Oakes area?

Well it's true that a dog bred for upland hunting (a pointer) will help with the grouse, if you're doing 70% waterfowling, a lab can do nice work on grouse as well... Remember grouse dogs are made by experience, not their breed. But ultimately it's up to you! Do you hunt grouse with your springers?...

What I'm saying is whatever dog you get, whatever you hunt, being steady is learned... So you'll have to teach it somehow.

Thanks Cass! That seems like what I've been doing so far, minus having a friend with a farm. But same here, the obedience and retrieving work I do consistently and every Saturday morning (when life allows me a free Saturday) I work with a gun dog club... I would just prefer to get her on more birds.

Well it's true that a dog bred for upland hunting (a pointer) will help with the grouse, if you're doing 70% waterfowling, a lab can do nice work on grouse as well... Remember grouse dogs are made by experience, not their breed. But ultimately it's up to you!

Cass, I know you've mentioned that you live in town, so I'm wondering how you've problem solved for that as far as training... I'm in a similar situation and I do as much as I can, but I'm looking for more ideas.

Good info. I'm also in the "I don't have a coop" boat.

Please don't ground shoot anything around my dogs. Hey, no worries. I wouldn't ground shoot anything over anybody else's dogs. Too much to go wrong. I got comfortable doing it with my old lab, she would find the rabbit, stop like she was pointing, and she would sit to flush. She learned to sit to f...

Minneguy, I know you asked about the stamina but you also have mentioned that you duck hunt and goose hunt a couple times... If waterfowling is your primary bird hunt then you should strongly consider a lab. I know all those folks with wirehaired dogs will say there dog pushes over icebergs, and som...

cjhills is right... My last dog was 12 when he passed but it wasn't old age... He could definitely still hunt 'em up... It was a sudden injury that took him. It happens sometimes...

Shoot whatever you want over your dog (legally). If your obedience training is up to par you can call your dog off other things. Just don't shoot your dog! But I doubt that has to be said.

I wear a hat for that problem

The price of a pup is the cheapest part of the equation so a few hundred one way or the other really doesn't mean much. Get the pup that suits you and have some fun. A few hundred one way or the other is a huge difference when you don't have it or you have to decide whether to buy food or a pup. Ha...

Just thought I'd update ya'll (aka do some bragging) on my springer pup... She's turning into an awesome dog! She LOVES retrieving and water retrieves, and birds wind her up like a top. I've also noticed that she's turning into a leggy girl. Well I'm done with my bragging for now! Cool, now a video...

I'm going to say something that I mean in the most respectful way possible (the tone can be lost online)... You just need to make a decision now. I know you've been debating on the type of dog (pointer, spaniel, or retriever) and the breed... And I'm assuming you've done your research, including re...

I'm going to say something that I mean in the most respectful way possible (the tone can be lost online)... You just need to make a decision now. I know you've been debating on the type of dog (pointer, spaniel, or retriever) and the breed... And I'm assuming you've done your research, including res...

Sorry, forgot to answer your question... I'd say, depending on the line, anywhere from $1000 to $1300 is a fair price... In Minnesota breeders are required to have some sort of health guarantee... Some do a year, others will go up to 3 years...

Hahahahahaha sorry, but are you under the impression that you'll have LESS expenses after getting a degree? You've gotta tell me what student loan program you went through because I got hosed!

Are you doing this all in one day? Or expect your dog to? And I think this is more about specific breeding lines... You'll have to check with breeders, see how their dogs work...

That's great! It always feels good when hard work pays off!

You hit it on the nose with your last couple lines. He's a PUPPY! Let him be a puppy and don't expect him to behave like a finished dog.

When you do train, it has to be FUN! And by fun I mean POSITIVE and upbeat.

A good dog is a good dog, regardless of how they hunt. I've used spaniels on every type of bird in North Dakota. Once a dog figures out how that type of bird works, they'll produce. Good luck! And don't forget there are ruffies in the NE corner of the state!

You'll be fine. Next time act as if nothing is wrong and your pup will follow suit.

A chain gang may help.

Keep in mind your 16 week old pup still looks to you and your reactions to situations. If you anxiously wait for him to charge into the water, he knows you're anxious, but not why. Relax. Let him be a pup. If you are confident he'll see that and relax.

Just thought I'd update ya'll (aka do some bragging) on my springer pup... She's turning into an awesome dog! She LOVES retrieving and water retrieves, and birds wind her up like a top. I've also noticed that she's turning into a leggy girl. Well I'm done with my bragging for now!

Meat is cheaper at the grocery store

+1

I hunt with springers because I love how biddable they are, their versatility, and their size... And I love watching them hunt. If I was only wanting to shoot birds I'd hunt preserves or play duck hunt on nIntendo.

If your primary quarry is waterfowl, get a well bred working Lab. They'll retrieve until they can't walk anymore and will have the nose for upland hunting. The British lines seem to be a tad lighter than the American field lines, but don't just buy for size, buy for ability. Also, don't get two pupp...

Yeah, I plan to attend hunt tests and trials as much as possible. Just thought I'd check in here for the 'short answer' for my friend. Thanks for the replies! He's going to talk to some cocker breeders as well.

Who else is anxious for fall to arrive?! The pup was introduced to birds the other day and now I absolutely am begging for cool weather and changing leaves! Also, a buddy asked me about cockers and springers... I know springers fairly well, but what are some of the differences in their working and t...

Hotdogs! After that first little taste I become the god of everything delicious.... At least in the pups eyes

Thanks for all the input. There are a few things I'd like to say... First of all, I've only raised Springers, but I've hunted over pointers so yes I do have an idea of what was a comfortable range for me. Secondly, I would never expect a dog to always stay at the distance I want? No. I realize the d...

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