Gun Dog Forum

I have a seven week old GSP puppy. I had been planning on getting a pup and have saved lots of wings from last year. The first couple of days that I had the pup home I tried to get him to point a wing. He didn't even seem real interested. I thought, well thats ok, he is just getting situated in his new home. Now he seems to be real comfortable at home, and he still dosn't seem to care about the wing. Is this something that I should be worried about. Every pup I have had previosly was pointing wings by this age.

Throw the wings away and don't worry about it has nothing to do with a dog bird finding abilities

wing on a string is a cute game but even at that once the wing is pointed then toss it as it only will promote sight pointing if played very much beyond that

you can achieve the same thng with a towel or a plastic garbage bag

I have learned from experience that the wing on a string routine is in my opinion a waste of time. Tried that whole bit with my pup when he was young. Your dog does have the pointing instinct and will begin to point just let him learn it on his own. Get him out for walks, let him meet people, let him chase birds in the yard. Right now the most important thing for your pup is not poining a wing but just being a puppy. Puppies become dogs very fast so take lots of pictures and enjoy these first few months. There is plenty of time for that type training later on. If you want to put your wings to use toss one around for the puppy, while he is on a short leash, not only is this fun for the pup but you are letting him get used to the feel of feathers in his mouth and teaching him to retrieve at the same time, but remember KEEP IT FUN, and only a few throws a day, if he loses interest forget about the wing completely for a couple months.
Good Luck with your Pup!

i wouldnt use the wing too much its only good when they are little puppies and it even then serves no real purpose it is nice to see your little guy/girl pointing a wing but it only promotes sight pointing i suggest you just let the dog grow up forget the wings i used wings too for my dog but very rarely and only to see if she would point a wing then i put it away. instead of the wing focus more on basic obedience thats the main thing for a young pup obviously not too much at once but u know what i mean sit stay come that sorta stuff

also remember delmar let his pups be pups the first year of thier life let em explore and have fun let em be puppies.=D their only puppies for a short time

Thanks for the replies. My mind has been set at ease. The puppy is doing awesome with people and with my six year old english pointer. I got to see both the sire and dam on birds, and they definatly had prey drive, so I imagine it will come with time. Thanks again.

My dog could care less about wings on strings but he goes nuts when there are real birds to be found. Now I occassionally tie the wings onto retrieving bumpers so he gets used to retrieving stuff with feathers.

John

I will use a wing on a string a time or two if I couldn't observe a pup on live game before I got him. For me, with a versatile dog its more about prey drive since I don't care about sight pointing.

My pup also said, " Hmm. It's a wing on a string. So what." Never ever said that about a real bird.