Pup's first day with birds!!!

[jgregg]

Took my pup out today with a friend who has two viszlas that are both master hunters. Introduced the pup to birds, let him get on some good points and stretch his legs. Just curious from here on out, what are people's opinions on a good chronological order for training. Whoa first? Here first? What's the most vital commands to start mastering? He seems to be having a blast and is a whole lot more "Birdy" Today after getting his snout on some pigeons than he was before

[Sharon]

You'll get a hundred different opinions to that question.

For me , the first thing is to train the dog to come when called.We don't leave the back yard until pup comes reliably.
Never call and let the dog carry on if he doesn't come.
Second: Don't jump off the tail gate when you want. I teach pup to stay there until i release him. I don't pup getting hit on a country road before we even start.

I know exactly what you are looking for . I was looking for the same thing when i started - a book that says "step one, step two........."
Because dogs are all different , ( I guess that's the reason) there is no such book.

How old is your pup?

[brad27]

Did your friend train those two V's to master hunter? If so, he would be a great resource to use in training your pup.

[trueblu]

How old is the pup, what do you want from the dog, what does he know now? Not knowing anything about the dog, I would tell you to get him out in areas that may hold wild birds and let him run, hunt, range, find birds, point birds, chase game, learn to hunt and to explore, to gain independence and boldness. But, when at home teach him HERE/COME, KENNEL. House type manners, NOT SIT. yes, we can debate that all day. Get him out and on birds as often as possible, leave him alone, don't hack at him if at all possible. So many seem to get hot and giggly on teaching commands but they don't spend the same amount of effort and time getting them on birds and out hunting. Yes, it's good to have a dog that will COME when called and doesn't act like an idiot in the hosue, the single most important aspect of the dog is learning to find and point birds. He is useless if he doesn't HUNT, so get him out to learn!!

[trueblu]

One additional comment, is your friend with the two Master Hunters a bird hunter or does he/she just run hunting tests? Be assured, his dogs might be great hunting dogs but there are a lot of MH dogs around that are well trained to play the game that haven't clue one how to hunt wild birds. Make sure he does with his dogs what you want to do with your dogs and that he can lend an educated experienced hand in that area.

[Benny]

I know exactly what you are looking for . I was looking for the same thing when i started - a book that says "step one, step two........."
Because dogs are all different , ( I guess that's the reason) there is no such book.

I would very much like that book too!

+1 on the "come" command. You can teach them everything you want but if you let them out in the field and find you have to chase your dog across the county lines...well I don't think you'll enjoy it

[Gr0usehunt3r]

Not meaning to take over the post as I am not sure if "jgregg's" pup responds well to here/come but I feel it fits. Would anyone like to share what they do to train there dog to respond to this call? I have seen dog's that stop and return on a dime based on a whistle...that would be highly desirable.

[Sharon]

Not meaning to take over the post as I am not sure if "jgregg's" pup responds well to here/come but I feel it fits. Would anyone like to share what they do to train there dog to respond to this call? I have seen dog's that stop and return on a dime based on a whistle...that would be highly desirable.

My way is surely not the only way.
I start with an 8 week old pup. Everytime he is coming towards me I say 'come".
They will make the association fast.
Then to the backyard on a long checkcord . " come" ( only said once.) If the dog doesn't come , drag him in. Nothing should be said. A treat can be used when he comes.
Then off leash in the backyard - saying 'come".
Next step is to find a larger area that is still safe/fenced. Off leash , saying "come".
Now you can start to transition to the bzzz on the training collar or the whistle plus the collar.
I know by now that the dog knows what come means. Once pup is certain what the whistle or bzz means , i will give a correction if he doesn't come in when called as long as I can see him. No correction if I can't see him as he may be on point.
Hope that helps.
( I have a 6 year old that has never not come when called - better than my husband.)

[jgregg]

How old is the pup, what do you want from the dog, what does he know now? Not knowing anything about the dog, I would tell you to get him out in areas that may hold wild birds and let him run, hunt, range, find birds, point birds, chase game, learn to hunt and to explore, to gain independence and boldness. But, when at home teach him HERE/COME, KENNEL. House type manners, NOT SIT. yes, we can debate that all day. Get him out and on birds as often as possible, leave him alone, don't hack at him if at all possible. So many seem to get hot and giggly on teaching commands but they don't spend the same amount of effort and time getting them on birds and out hunting. Yes, it's good to have a dog that will COME when called and doesn't act like an idiot in the hosue, the single most important aspect of the dog is learning to find and point birds. He is useless if he doesn't HUNT, so get him out to learn!!

That's the majority of what I've been doing so far. Letting him get comfortable out in front of me far enough to have a good range, nose up some birds and build confidence. It's encouraging to hear I'm hopefully on teh right track! I pretty much just let him run without any verbal commands when we're out in the field. Appreciate the replies!

[jgregg]

Did your friend train those two V's to master hunter? If so, he would be a great resource to use in training your pup.

Yes he did. He uses them as bird dogs as well, not just for trials and competitions. I like asking him questions but try not to come running everytime I'm unsure about something so he doesn't get annoyed and for the sake of my own pride .

[RoostersMom]

I use Perfection Kennel's system....get their Perfect Start DVD and you'll be good to go.