Gun Dog Forum

I will be getting a 10 wk old GSP this week, this will be my first hunting dog and I will be training him myself. What DVDs or books are a must have for a first timer. I have been reading all I can find on the internet but everyone seems to say that you can never have too many resources. What do you all think? Thanks .

I'm a newbie at this, myself. I'll let others who have actually finished training a dog (or more) recommend specific materials.

However, I would disagree that you can't have too many resources. I have read so many books now that they all start running together. I cannot remember which one recommended what. And some do seem to contradict others in timing, certainly in methods and in expectations.

While professionals may have enough experience to evaluate each new method that comes along and incorporate ideas that seem good, I've decided that for me it would have been better to pick one method up front and follow it. YMMV.

Good point, just in my research online I have read quite a bit of stuff that contradicts something else that I have read. I guess a better question would be what are some methods that everyone uses or have found work well?

Having been exactly where you are about 5 1/2 months ago I tend to agree that finding one method and sticking with it is better. I think as far as dvd's go, you can't go wrong with Perfection Kennel's dvd's (Perfect Start/Perfect Finish). I think if you took a poll that those dvd's would by far be the most recommended. I have the Perfect DVD's and have found them very informative. I've talked with several guys on here that didn't have any experience training but have done very well using the Perfection dvd's. Now, having said all of this, I've decided to send my pup off to a pro trainer. I too was like yourself and wanted to do all the training by myself but I've heard so much about reading the dog and knowing when to move forward. I'm not sure I would know when to proceed to the next step. Will I have as much pride in the fact that I have a finished dog down the road knowing I didn't train him? I guess I'll have to answer that one a few years down the road.

Congratulations on the pup and Good Luck with the training process. As a newbie myself the only advice I can truly give is SOCIALIZE. Socialization has really helped my pup be a true gentleman in the house (IMHO).

I HIGHLY recommend the Perfect Start and Perfect Finish DVD set by Perfection Kennels. You can order it from their website.


Here is the link:

http://www.perfectionkennel.com/video_series.htm

I bought these DVDs without having a clue how to train a dog and they were a huge help. The series teaches you everything. Its all pretty easy to understand and very simple techniques.

**Perfect Start Perfect Finish**


I also read alot of books and none of them made sense for all of the training. Once I watched Perfect Start I thought the Earth stopped it rotation. This was the one method that made common sense for everything that was taught. The videos will cost you less then spending a few hours with a trainer, but will be more valuable then spending 4 weekends with a trainer. Good luck with the training.

birdhunter2424 wrote:**Perfect Start Perfect Finish**


I also read alot of books and none of them made sense for all of the training. Once I watched Perfect Start I thought the Earth stopped it rotation. This was the one method that made common sense for everything that was taught. The videos will cost you less then spending a few hours with a trainer, but will be more valuable then spending 4 weekends with a trainer. Good luck with the training.

Im excited ! i just ordered mine 2 minutes ago i cant wait til it gets here.

For pure training videos, Perfect Start/Perfect Finish are IMO a great tool to model your training after.

For learning about the history of the breed (GSP) from it's development to current times, Georgina Byrne's "Der Deutsch Kurzhaar" is a highly recommended read and a book that you will never get tired of going back to from time to time. Loads of information from genetics to breed standards etc... a wealth of info and highly recommended for anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge of this magnificent breed . http://facks.org/?bk=gspbook

While I'm not a trainer, I have a series of videos at myoutdoortv.com that touch on some of the things that are not in most of the books or DVDs. They may be of help, especially to a first timer who is overwhelmed with advice. Go the the site, about halfway down the first page there is a photo/link to gun dog videos.

Good luck!

Scott Linden wrote:While I'm not a trainer, I have a series of videos at myoutdoortv.com that touch on some of the things that are not in most of the books or DVDs. They may be of help, especially to a first timer who is overwhelmed with advice. Go the the site, about halfway down the first page there is a photo/link to gun dog videos.

Good luck!

Thanks for the link; lots of good backround info there.

Perfection DVD'S are excellent to a point. If it were me, I'd watch perfection and the Hickox collection. They are very compatable. I don't use place boards like George does, but other than that the two methods combine very well. Where Perfection is weak in in the retrieving process for the dog and that is where Hickox shines. I use the ear pince instead of the toe hitch, but they are both excellent sets.

TxAggie94 wrote:I have read so many books now that they all start running together. I cannot remember which one recommended what. And some do seem to contradict others in timing, certainly in methods and in expectations.

Your best bet would be to find one source of information whether its an author or trainer that you can trust and stick to them. And soon as you start training using their methods, wipe your thoughts clean of what other sources i.e. books, DVD's, websites, etc are telling you. And follow through with that one source you have chosen.

When training my Brittany, I have clouded my thoughts by reading so many books on training the breed. That I personally feel that its put a dampener on the progress.

I've read all the books, and watched all the DVD/videos, and the hands down best is the Perfect Start and Perfect Finish DVD's. They tell it all in a way that allows you to duplicate the results yourself.

Yeah the PS & PF vidieos are so much more detailed they make things easier to understand especialy for the newb or beginners.

I was pointed in the direction of a few videos recently and bought all of them. After watching themI think that the "water dog" with Charles T Jurney was very interesting on how to train a / any dog the ways of retrieving, blind retrieves and the "T"'s, and I as a novice feel that this video is easy to understand and put into your training for your dog.
Another good video was from George Hickox "training pointing dogs volume 1,2,3,4 which was very informational and I learned a ton from this video.

John

It's TOO LATE for my recommendation. I would recommend buying the BIGEST BADDEST female pup that VZ Kennels has / had and name it REBA ...... then GET OUT OF THE WAY and LET THE BIG DOG HUNT. VZ's dogs ( GSP )practically TRAIN THEMSELVES !!!

ole WingShooter