Range Question

CowboyBirdDogs · Post by **CowboyBirdDogs** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:55 am

I have a 3 year old female GSP that I trained myself (didn't require a whole lot of work, she did most of it naturally) she's a bird finding machine, handles them great, listens to commands etc., she's also a very calm, laid back dog. The only problem I'm having is she doesn't range out very far, she's a close working dog that is VERY thorough when hunting, she always works into the wind and quarters/hunts objectives pretty good. She just won't range out more than 50 yards sometimes and she never really opens it up while she's hunting, just a steady trot. I didn't really teach her any hand signals to go by, so how do I get her to move a little quicker and get her to get out there a little more. I'm not asking for am EP here, just a little fire here. Or is this something that I shouldn't be concerned about?

Post by **topher40** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:02 am

There are a plethera of post's dealing with this so you might try looking through the archives. At 3 years old I really wouldnt worry about it. Range can be developed but your really fighting a losing battle at this point. If you want more range try getting an additional dog and develop the range from an early age. Dont forget that breeding has the majority of influence on range.

Steve007 · Post by **Steve007** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:27 am

Do you typically hunt her by herself or with another dog? Is the country you hunt open or more dense?

The fact that she trots (mostly) would seem to indicate that she's naturally close or else perhaps strongly attuned to you and not very independent. Worth putting her with a dog with somewhat (not massively) more range and seeing how she likes backing for a day or altering the country she hunts in and seeing what happens.

Birddogz · Post by **Birddogz** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:48 am

Sounds like you have one piece to your puzzle. Now just get a dog that hunts out further, and hunt them together. It is called layering your dogs, and is a great way to hunt in my opinion. If I were you, I would get an EP to go with your close working dog. Great combo.

CowboyBirdDogs · Post by **CowboyBirdDogs** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:17 am

I do have a younger male GSP, he's very raw, but he really gets after it and goes out a little further. She almost always hunts with other dogs that range a little more. Most of the stuff we hunt in is sort of dense with a lot of rolling hills. I guess the close range doesnt bother me as much as her not running hard. Don't get me wrong, she's always hunting and working objectives. Most of the hunts we go on are 2-3 day hunts, is it possible that she knows this and doesn't want to waste her energy? This is the 1 and only thing that she does or doesn't do that kinda bothers me, other than that she's fine.

Cajun Casey · Post by **Cajun Casey** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:38 am

Depending on her body type and bloodline, that would be a typical range and even speed. The only thing you might be concerned about is a heart defect. Your vet can check her heart and refer you to a cardio specialist if there is any concern. GSPs do have cardio issues.

BoJack · Post by **BoJack** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:58 am

Usaully you can take range out of a dog but you can't put it in.I'd say at 3 years old her range is what it is.You could possibly set up some training scnerios in open country with objectives and plant your birds farther apart.But I think she is what she is.

CowboyBirdDogs · Post by **CowboyBirdDogs** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:24 am

Honestly, if this is her only "fault" (is it even a fault or me just prefering something different?) then I'm completely happy. I couldn't really ask more from a dog, we've got great chemistry and I love her to death! And in dense cover or pheasant hunting wouldn't this be a good thing?

Birddogz · Post by **Birddogz** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:26 am

The best!

AzDoggin · Post by **AzDoggin** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:11 pm

Man, there are alot of folks who would LOVE to have the dog you describe.

I agree with all the other responses and just wonder about a couple things...

Sometimes the cover can affect range - if you want to encourage getting further out, look for more open country with more space between objectives - in the offseason you can plant pigeons further out in this type country and likely start to see them get out a little. The rolling hills can make a difference, too (dog can't see you over the hills). Look for some flatter land where the dog can see you to make sure you are still there. Hunted enough in that type cover, she'll gain confidence that you haven't run off on her.

Is the dog in pretty decent shape, conditioning-wise? A dog that's been roaded and is in his/her prime cardio condition feels better about opening up, too. (EDIT - just read Cajun Casey's post - I think asking the vet about her cardio is a very good idea, especially if you decide to try to road her more).

Any chance there is anything you are doing to encourage her to stay close? Some folks talk too much to the dogs when they hunt, and a dog can sortof become "dependent" on that contact. If that's you, see what happens after awhile if you keep your yap shut.

Sounds like you have an excellent dog and are clearly enjoying hunting with her. My bet is that she'll start to range out a little further when the conditions merit it, but prolly won't ever be one that ranges out a mile or more.

CowboyBirdDogs · Post by **CowboyBirdDogs** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:03 pm

Ya I really don't want a dog that ranges out that far anyway. She's in good condition, she's gotban acre to run around on all day and plays with my other GSP. I think what it may be is when we go for walks on my street I make her stay pretty close, so that's probably transferring to the field as well. I'm just gunna shut up and let her work on this next trip.

Ryman Gun Dog · Post by **Ryman Gun Dog** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:15 pm

E-Shorthairs,
Lots of different things you can try, however in the long run your dogs genetic impint is going to establish her max range most times, when we have young dog who will not range out, I pair a bigger running friendly, mature dog with the younger dog while training/hunting, especially when the dog is young and impressionable, most times this works very well, and the pup developes a larger hunting area by watching and running with the older bigger running dog.
RGD/Dave

solon · Post by **solon** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:39 am

One additional suggestion I have is that you can probably get her to pick up the pace and extend range if you pick up your own pace. Thus run her from horseback or from an ATV/utility vehicle in open country and pace yourself at about 6 to 8 mph. If she now runs to the front ahead of you she will have to move faster than when you are walking. I find our dogs go faster and further when run with the utility vehicle. Take care not to run her over, obviously. She could go back to her old range when you are walking or maybe this would get her to be more independent.

Solon

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