3 year old setter

Dude · Post by **Dude** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:00 am

Somebody is giving away a three year old setter. They said that all of his brothers and sisters were sold as hunting dogs but this one was kept as a family pet by relatives. Long story short. Owner hunted him "a few times" but then passed away so they are now looking for a new home for him. My question is: 'Is it too late for this dog to get some field training and if so do ya'll think it would be too much to tackle for a first time bird dog owner and hunter?'. They said the dog has had basic obedience training from the owner but didn't know how much field training. Thanks for any input.

Dude

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:52 pm

It's never too late. As for it being your first dog to train. I think it is easier to screw up a young dog than an older one.

Dude · Post by **Dude** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:10 pm

I found out he is a Llewellin. Don't know about lineage yet. Going to go look at him sometime this week.

Dude

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:33 pm

Dude I started training my Irish Setter at 3 years old and she is a fine gun dog.

midwestfisherman · Post by **midwestfisherman** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:14 pm

Go for it. As stated above, it's never too late. The nice thing is you don't have to worry about dealing with all of the puppy stuff and house breaking.

sdgord · Post by **sdgord** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:40 pm

Dude if you can squeeze in the time and room for him go for it. I took a three year old littermate to my setter that had never been hunted. It took some road work and slow introduction to birds and gunfire. I wound up shooting a couple dozen wild roosters over him last season. He was worth the effort.SDGORD

Post by **pear** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:45 pm

My personal thought would be go for it. Many dogs never get a lick of training until after the age of 3 and do fine. I'd say this one sounds like a good catch to me. ..."pear"

GsPJustin · Post by **GsPJustin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:53 pm

Llwellins are nice dogs. Theres a guy that I met at a Hunt test who has one and he said there a breeze to train. Good luck. Like said before its never to late and always fun.

ditchparrot19 · Post by **ditchparrot19** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:56 pm

A trainer who lives near me always says the only time it's too late to start training a dog is after it's stopped breathing. I'd go for it.

Dude · Post by **Dude** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:23 am

still waiting to hear back from the people about the dog. Is there anything that I should look for that would be a clue that something was wrong with the dog? If all goes as plan I might have a bird dog by the weekend!

Dude

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:53 am

Let him/her settle in at first but eventually get him into any situation you can think of (ie. kids, other dogs, loud noises) then eventually birds. I would bring the kids (if you have them) along with you.

Better to have a dog that shows he doesnt like kids before you pick him up than when he gets home. He can be taught to like kids but it takes alot of work your your part and the kids part.

Ask to take him out into a bird feild with the owners. You will get to see the dog work, hopfuly point/set, and get to talk with the owners about the dog.

ckfowler · Post by **ckfowler** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:24 pm

Reaction to load noises history by current owner would be very important. Bringing out the bird desire will be easy if it's in there. Correcting gunshyness is way harder for a novice. Would be great to take a couple quail or pigeons when you go to see what they do but you aren't looking at buying a finished dog. Aggression and gunshy questions would be the most important.

Post by **ezzy333** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:45 pm

I know what you are getting at Colin, but i don't think it would be smart to shoot or even be do anything very severe that would startle a dog that doen't know you. I'd take my chances that it is OK till I had it for a couple of weeks at least. I do think you should ask and try to get an honest accessment of its history though and if something doesn't sound right then you would have a dicision to make.

Just a thought, Ezzy

big steve46 · Post by **big steve46** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:46 pm

I bought an E. Setter about 28 years ago that was fully trained when he was 3. Best dog I ever hunted with. The man that trained him was a good amateur trainor that had trained many dogs. If you haven"t the experience, better study a lot or have a pro to train.

ckfowler · Post by **ckfowler** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:54 am

Agreed Ezzy, wouldn't shoot over him. Would ask about history around noises and in general though I have had very submissive/shy dogs that loved gunfire but nothing else loud. Also assumed that the current owner would be present while messing with him initially. A couple quail would be cheap and although not a strong assessment of potential as a hunter if never exposed, I'd be dying to see what he does around birds. History of pointing songbirds and squirrels along with curiously seeking out sources of neighboring nooises would be good signs in a pet situation. Would really woryy more about any aggressive tendancies myself as I have a small child and no tolerance for that. After that, if he never hunted, he would still be a great companion for the family and an extra set of legs pushing the grasses. If he pointed then bonus and retrieved then perfect!

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:14 pm

You could call the other people with the hunting brothers and sisters and look at them. This will give you a little idea on how the dog will hunt but if he wasnt hunted or hunted ove very little dont expect to have perfect bird finder and for him to handle every bird like a pro. Call the breeder they got it from he will be able to help you out as well.

Dude · Post by **Dude** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:40 am

Update: The folks with the dog are not returning my email or phone calls. Kind of miffed right now. If they gave it to someone else that's cool just tell me. Oh well I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Dude

highcotton · Post by **highcotton** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:25 am

Dude,

I live over in Muscle Shoals and breed/train Llewellins. We work dogs every Saturday morning and you are welcome to bring the dog over for some help with his evaluation. We have birds so the only cost will be your gas.

Charles Sherrod

Dude · Post by **Dude** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:54 am

thanks for the offer. I can't seem to get back in touch with the folks about the dog. Would it be possiable to just stop by one day and have a look at your dogs? Thanks

Dude

highcotton · Post by **highcotton** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:13 pm

Dude,

That will be fine. PM me and I will give you directions.

Charles