charging

[NorCalGSP]

I have a rescued gsp who I have hunted with for the last 3 seasons mostly for quail and phez.He locks up hard on quail and does pretty good on the wild phez we hunt but yesterday we went to a club to train with a new friend of mine and used chukar. Upon approach he gave a very fast flash point then proceeded to charge in and bust the birds. I was wondering if anybodys dogreacts differently to different birds or if we just had an off day due to lack of bird exposure this last season (ca). I am a novice in the gundog world so any advice is appreciated.

[Gooseman07]

You should have corrected the behavior on the FIRST bird he did that two and he would have gotten the idea.

[NorCalGSP]

We only worked two birds. I didnt shoot at either. Thus not giving him a reward. How else could I correct this.

[RayGubernat]

We only worked two birds. I didnt shoot at either. Thus not giving him a reward. How else could I correct this.

Some dogs do not have the same respect for penraised birds as they do for wild birds...mostly because the wild birds demand respect and the penraised ones do not. The dog needs to understand that the same rules apply to both.

One thing you could have done is to stop the dog after the first bird and then go and stand the dog up, right about where the dog pointed. Then style it up, gently, but firmly. You might also push on the dog's back end forcing the dog to dig in and resist the forward pressure. Step back a half dozen paces, fold your arms and watch the dog for a good honest four or five minutes. If the dog so much as moves a toenail, go back to it, style it up. Say absolutely nothing all throughout this exercise. When the dog has stood there for several minutes...walk up in front of the dog and simulate a flush, then walk back behind the dog and wait another half minute or so. If the dog moves...at all...style it up wait a half minute or so and come in front perhaps from the other side.

Oh yeah...say absolutely nothing at all to the dog during this whole exercise. Don't be angry or impatient or rough with the dog. Just patient and persistent. When you put your hands on the dog to style it up...gentle but firm and matter of fact.

When all done, release the dog with a pat on the flank, maybe a verbal OK and go find another bird.

RayG

If the dog has to stand there for good long while,

[NorCalGSP]

Thanks I will give that a few tries.

[Sharon]

I have found that dogs react differently to different birds. The first time one of mine was on pheasant busting up and taking flight, you'd think she had no training at all. Some folk train on pigeon , quail and then go to a trial where chuckar are used , and wonder what has happened to their dog. It often is the wild or pen - raised difference, but I've found different birds can also show "further training needed ".

[ibbowhunting]

He thought he could catch it ! once he learns he can't there is no reason for him to road in on them, just make sure he don't catch um

[Elkhunter]

My pointer would not point the first few groups of sharpies we ran into, now he is great. Still wont point a sage grouse.

[birddog1968]

I've been moving my dogs into woodcock this week....we've never hunted woodcock. When they bump a bird I bark WHOA ! and fire the blank gun....doesn't take many to get the point (pun intended).