Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

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cpinkert
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Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by cpinkert » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:30 am

Folks,

I've got a 6 month old Britt who loves to point rabbits and squirrels in the yard. She does fine on planted birds, but I'm wondering if I need to stop her from pointing things other than birds so I'm not dealing with her pointing rabbits, squirrels and such this fall. Or is this something she'll learn just by me not shooting them in the woods this year?

-Chris

Dashin Gun Dogs
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by Dashin Gun Dogs » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:45 am

Chris,

You answered your question. The more you pay attention to a dog when it is pointing unwanted things, the more issues that arise. Just ignore the dog, and it will eventually realize that you are interested and it will follow suit with age. Keep working dog on birds. It is a good thing that you have a Britt with a lot of pointing ability. After you kill a few wild birds and more planted birds, it will soon forget the other animals. A Britt usually has a strong prey drive, and they usually enjoy the retrieve. If it never retrieves a rabbit or squirrel, it will eventually leave them alone.

Good Luck and have fun with that youngin.
Chris Andrews
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Sharon
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by Sharon » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:29 am

Perfectly normal for a 6 month old dog. The more birds she handles the more she will realize that it's birds you like.
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JessiNGunther
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by JessiNGunther » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:48 am

I have a 7 month GSP that points every thing even me. I was walking to him down hill and he stood there on point. Somedays I think his is dumber than a box of hammers :roll: Other days he is all about the birds and the smart dog I know him to be. :D I think in time it will click with him and every day will be about the birds. At this point in time he is still a puppy and doing puppy things .
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mister2
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by mister2 » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:56 am

OK so what if you like to hunt grouse, woodcock, pheasant, squirrels and rabbits. I would like to do all of these. I'd like to be able to take my dog for squirrel one day, then grouse the next. Is that possible? Is the training different? They're supposed to be versatile so we'll have to see. For squirrel the dog would basically be just a companion since I do just fine squirrel hunting without a dog.

jimbo&rooster
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by jimbo&rooster » Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:35 am

mister2 wrote:OK so what if you like to hunt grouse, woodcock, pheasant, squirrels and rabbits. I would like to do all of these. I'd like to be able to take my dog for squirrel one day, then grouse the next. Is that possible? Is the training different? They're supposed to be versatile so we'll have to see. For squirrel the dog would basically be just a companion since I do just fine squirrel hunting without a dog.
If thats what you want to do then do it. I have a buddy that has a brittany that will point both bunnies and quail and is dead broke either way. We have Shot limits of quail and rabbits, as well as the occasional woodcock over that dog often on the same day. its all in how you train them.

JIm
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birddogger
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by birddogger » Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:20 pm

Be happy that you have a pup with great pointing instinct. :D

Charlie
If you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right either way

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Born2Hunt
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by Born2Hunt » Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:15 pm

My 3 year old loves to point lizards in the back yard, I just ignore him when he does it. He's a machine on the real thing so I dont do anything about it.

kensfishing
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by kensfishing » Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:03 pm

Born2Hunt wrote:My 3 year old loves to point lizards in the back yard, I just ignore him when he does it. He's a machine on the real thing so I dont do anything about it.
Hope to get back out there this fall and do some hunting with Mike's son and brother. These new pups are going to be something else also. They're showing alot of promise at five weeks.

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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by Trekmoor » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:00 am

All of my Brits and GSP's were expected to point and retrieve rabbits, hares and many kinds of game birds. They had no problems doing this. I agree with the earlier posts which said don't give the dog much attention if it points on things you don't want pointed - such as rabbits. The dogs know the difference between rabbit scent and bird scent and they won't pay as much attention to rabbits if you don't.

Bill T.
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gittrdonebritts
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by gittrdonebritts » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:06 pm

birddogger wrote:Be happy that you have a pup with great pointing instinct. :D

Charlie
Just be happy you don't have a GSP they point/flush and kill all furry Animals, Cat's skunks possum squirrel porcupine woodchucks small yappy dogs your neighbors pet rabbit then too add more embarrassment retrieve them to hand....... especially skunks !

Beecher
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by Beecher » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:28 pm

that dog will be a good one, a keeper for sure!

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birddogger
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by birddogger » Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:54 am

gittrdonebritts wrote:
birddogger wrote:Be happy that you have a pup with great pointing instinct. :D

Charlie
Just be happy you don't have a GSP they point/flush and kill all furry Animals, Cat's skunks possum squirrel porcupine woodchucks small yappy dogs your neighbors pet rabbit then too add more embarrassment retrieve them to hand....... especially skunks !
Yeah, ain't they awesome?! :D

Charlie
If you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right either way

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SHORTFAT
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Re: Pointing Rabbits, Squirrels, etc.

Post by SHORTFAT » Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:16 pm

My EP points everything from the mailman to my mother in law... but when she's birdy... it's all about feathers... don't fuss. The pup will figure it out all by itself... :D :D
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