Puppy ranging

[joachimt]

I have a 6 month old GSP. I introduced her to birds a few times this past summer. I have taken her pheasant hunting when the season started and she usually does not range more than 10 feet from me usually walking kind of slow and methodical sometimes stopping right by my feet. However, when she gets on pheasant scent then she really starts hunting and ranging out from me. She actually looks like a hunting dog!! But when no scent she walks right by me. How can I get her to have drive and desire to go out and search for birds?? Is she just too young and she will eventually get it??

[brad27]

How did you do the bird intro?

[jimbo&rooster]

Depending how much time you have spet in the field with your pup and whether or not you have another dog it may take your pup some time to get out and run. My not quite 5mo old GSP has really just started to range in the last couple of weeks, and I have been taking him out for runs 3-5 days a week since he was 12wks old. My 6mo EP/GSP pup started to range at about 12wks old. I am fortunate to have 100acres of CRP on our farm that I have free range of.

Id say that with some time spent afield your pup will get tired of walking with you and start to get out and cover ground. When he does start to roll just let him run and dont let yourself get nervous and call him back, he will bump a few birds but thats part of the process....

Jim

[Sharon]

Can be normal for a 4 month old. When she does go out , don't call her back. Don't give her a hard time for staying with you. Lacking in independence at this time but not a huge problem at 4 months. Make sure she has lots of positive experience. ( Did a bird get in her face at some point?)

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Have you done any obedience or heel training????

[joachimt]

For bird introduction I planted quail for her and she did a nice job covering ground and searching for the birds. But she knew there were birds out there.

For obedience training I have taught her to heel and she does well. I also have taught her the come command which she does pretty well at. But when she is in the field I dont say anything to her. I try to let her range away from me. When she does get 20 feet away or so she always looks back to see where Iam.

[3Britts]

I like to get a new pup out with my older dogs. The pup will always try to follow and keep up.
Are you taking your pup out hunting alone or with other dogs?

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Sometimes teaching a young dog to heel will make them not want to leave your side I would forget about heel for now untill the dog builds enough confidence to range out.
I don't teach much obedience untill later desire,boldness,birdiness come first in my book but others will disagree but I have seen young pups taught to heel that take awhile to regain confidence to venture out.
Good Luck!

[DonF]

How did you do gun introduction?

[birddogger]

Sometimes teaching a young dog to heel will make them not want to leave your side I would forget about heel for now untill the dog builds enough confidence to range out.
I don't teach much obedience untill later desire,boldness,birdiness come first in my book but others will disagree but I have seen young pups taught to heel that take awhile to regain confidence to venture out.
Good Luck!

+1.

Charlie