Gun Dog Forum

My American Brittany is almost 11 months old. I know I should of started earlier but just didn't have the time.. can i to start training him now to bird hunt and still have a good bird dog? Also do any of you have a good place to start.. Books? DVD?.. Etc. I would like to train him myself but don't know really much about training a dog to bird hunt..
Would most likely use him to hunt prairie birds (pheasant, chukkers..) I won't do my much waterfowl..
Any advice would be a huge help..

Your dog is not too old.
Where do you live?
Buy the book "Training with Mo" Google it.
Read the book then come back and ask questions about things you don't understand in the book.

There is only three major things your dog needs to understand.
1. come to you
2. Go with you
3. Stand still.

There is probably a dozen different methods to achieve these 3 things. Pick one you understand and stick with it.
Don't try to do too much a one time. Dogs learn best with short training sessions. Always end on a positive note. Don't loose your patience, stop, put the dog away, go have a beer.
Think about what you are doing wrong.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks. I will look to get that "training with Mo" book. Appreciate the help.

Thanks a lot. Appreciate it! I'll be sure to look into that book. I'll do my best.. Look forward to getting him trained..
I live 20 minutes east of Lancaster..
Thanks again

I went and talked to a pro. Spent hours working commands and obedience. Then I sent my dog to a trainer for a month to be intro'd to birds, gun, ect. I got lucky with my first britt, its all he needed. He's not steady to shot, but he'll slam a covey of huns like theres no tomorrow and will relocate or hold on his own...I don't "whoa" him. If he needs to relocate he'll move. Im not a trial guy. My second dog is going to require a ton of extra work.....she is lacking in the natural dept I think (plus Im almost positive she has rocks in her head instead of brains).

There are some good dvds and seminars you can go to also. I would suggest getting Ben O. Williams training book too.

Brittany birddog wrote:Thanks a lot. Appreciate it! I'll be sure to look into that book. I'll do my best.. Look forward to getting him trained..
I live 20 minutes east of Lancaster..
Thanks again

Several good Brittany trainers in your neck of the woods.

Brian Riggle in PA http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breeders- ... tanys.html
Jimmy Johnson - Ravinia OH http://dtsystems.com/jimmyjohnson

If possible get involved with you local chapter NAVHDA

http://www.navhda.us/chaptmap.html


Also look at the hunt test http://www.navhda.org/testrule.pdf even if you won’t test, it sort of gives an idea of what attributes your training, at 11 months you want to look at the natural ability test., section 4.

1 searches and points(3 seconds)
2 tracks ground scent
3 swims

Other good resources
Perfect start/ perfect finish
Smith Silent command
Hickox Pointing dog video
NAVHDA Green book

Smart fetch if you need/want to force fetch

And if you have not start running your dog off leash in "birdy" places just fun field romps, and though your not a hard core water fowler I would still do pond romps as well at some point you may jump shoot a duck or have a bird fall in the water. besides chasing ducks through the reeds is good physical and nose training

Thanks for the help.. Great point in the right direction.
Thanks again

Brittany birddog wrote:Thanks for the help.. Great point in the right direction.
Thanks again

If I were you, I would find out how to get to the York pointer and Setter club, and join it. It is , I believe, in Rossville, PA which should be reasonably close to you.

Some of the very best bird dog folks in the country can be found on those grounds. Believe it.

Training with Mo is a well written, easy to follow, logical program.

RayG

RayGubernat wrote:

Brittany birddog wrote:Thanks for the help.. Great point in the right direction.
Thanks again

If I were you, I would find out how to get to the York pointer and Setter club, and join it. It is , I believe, in Rossville, PA which should be reasonably close to you.

Some of the very best bird dog folks in the country can be found on those grounds. Believe it.

Training with Mo is a well written, easy to follow, logical program.

RayG

Thank you, never heard of them, but I am new to this also. I'll be sure to look more into it all. And be sure to get the "Training with Mo" book as others have also recommended it as well

Another thing is clubs...There are a few clubs or trainers who have groups get togethers where you get hands on Carl Babb is one over in the california area
Another thing is seminars I have a Rick Smith Seminar feb 21 22 23 here in AZ ..

Books are very good but one thing a book has a hard time teaching is how to read the dog

Big thing is since you are starting out PICK A METHOD don't bounce around from one to another as you will only lead your self and your dog into a state of confusion
Good Luck

There just so happens to be a pretty good Brittany guy coming to your state in May. He has a seminar at Lion Country Supply in Port Matilda, PA every spring. www.huntsmith.com

Nate

DoubleBarrel GunDogs wrote:There just so happens to be a pretty good Brittany guy coming to your state in May. He has a seminar at Lion Country Supply in Port Matilda, PA every spring. http://www.huntsmith.com

Nate

Worth every penny...Wish People would go to his or other good seminars BEFORE they get their pups..They would be so far ahead of the game

Mo Lindley will have a seminar coming up in the near future . If you google Pineyrun Kennels you should be able to find the info on the website.
I believe the seminar will be in VA.

Good Luck!

Thanks! I'll be linking for these seminars, glad there are some closer to me. You all have been awesome.. Thanks for everything