New, need help choosing a training program

[PineValleyBritt]

I have my first bird dog he's a 5 month old brittany. I've been tring to do as much training as I can with being on swing shifts to try an get him close to being able to take him out for ohio season. I've bought different different books an DVDs an I just can't make a decision on a training program an I can't afford to buy more to try an find a program I like an can follow easily for someone who doesn't kno much about bird dogs. I bought George hickcox great beginnings, I just didn't understand we're they trained the basic commands with clicker It didn't really show it. I did make a new friend around here who is willing to help with training an he had birds but I just need to decide on a program. Any info on programs that are easy for new trainers to learn an follow

[ezzy333]

If you have found someone that has dogs he has trained and they satisfy what you are wanting then use him and forget the programs. Nothing will equal a mentor if he is able to help.

Ezzy

[kninebirddog]

I have my first bird dog he's a 5 month old brittany. I've been tring to do as much training as I can with being on swing shifts to try an get him close to being able to take him out for ohio season. I've bought different different books an DVDs an I just can't make a decision on a training program an I can't afford to buy more to try an find a program I like an can follow easily for someone who doesn't kno much about bird dogs. I bought George hickcox great beginnings, I just didn't understand we're they trained the basic commands with clicker It didn't really show it. I did make a new friend around here who is willing to help with training an he had birds but I just need to decide on a program. Any info on programs that are easy for new trainers to learn an follow

Most important thing about training
You need to figure what makes the most sense to you that you will be able to follow through. Worst thing you can do is jump around from training program to training program when you do not understand any of them
finding a mentor is a better format to start and you can grow from there. Books though great in words can never say enough to teach about timing as you may get the right motions down but if you do not have timing those motions and actions mean nothing.
welcome to the confusing world of bird dogs and hunting and if you get into trialing..My condolences

[DoubleBarrel GunDogs]

I bought George hickcox great beginnings, I just didn't understand we're they trained the basic commands with clicker It didn't really show it.

Not quite sure what you mean by "it didn't really show it"?

I agree that a mentor with birds can be a valuable asset to training, but just how much time is he willing to spend with your dog? I do think you're on the right track, and commend you for the desire to follow a program. I just hope you and your friend are on the same page.

Nate

[birddog1968]

im not going to suggest a program, but everyone starting out should read (top one, best way to train your gun dog) http://www.delmarsmithkennels.com/products.html

[4dabirds]

Just remember you get what you pay for. You have stated that you do not understand the clicker training part of this video. Maybe it is time to do a little research on this subject as well as other methods to determine wether they fit your sense of what it is that you expect from your self as well as from your dog. If you follow Georges video you will have a good start at training a hunting dog , but there is a lot more to it then you will get in any video. There is a lot of info on the net , some of it good and some of it bad. It would be best to educate yourself in canine behavior and this will help you determine wether a plan is good or not. Read the book Culture Clash By Jean Donaldson,. You can get it on line as a pdf for free. It espouses training a dog using mostly positive reinforcement ,using behavioral traits in dogs to accomplish your goal . Where it diverges with hunting dog training is in the use of e-collars. The author obviously does not deal with high prey drive dogs in the act of actually preying on another animal. That said ,the understanding of canine behavior you will get from the book will be of great help. Nothing can replace working with a good dog trainer or mentor. The problem with this is that you are not qualified to determine good with out a little research. Read the book then go back to the video it will help you to understand the process a little better. http://www.clickandtreat.com/ Gary Wilkes is the guy that helped Hickox to adapt clicker training to gun dogs . Check out his site . Georges site has a lot of good info on it in the previously published article section as well.

[tailcrackin]

Well, if you don't understand it, your dog wont either. Always remember that. When things are simple for you, they will also be simple for the dog.
A dog doesn't understand English, but it will always read your eyes, voice, and touch, in a positive way, or negative way.
You have to figure out, how its being used. An old saying, "Silence is golden, duct tape is silver"

Not for sure where St. Clair is, I am located about 2hr south of Cinn. I have got several levels dogs that I am working right now, several different breeds. If you would like to come down, the door is open. Help me work, and watch, ask questions when we are done working that dog. I have the ground, quail, and pigeons. We can work out something in between the swing shift. There's no charge, just bring yourself, and your dog. Hope it helps, Thanks Jonesy

[Chukar12]

Well, if you don't understand it, your dog wont either.

I am stealing that....top notch Jonesy

[AZ Brittany Guy]

im not going to suggest a program, but everyone starting out should read (top one, best way to train your gun dog) http://www.delmarsmithkennels.com/products.html

His book written by Terrant has been out of publication for years. I don't know why it is still advertised. My wife bought me a used one for $60.

[Neil]

im not going to suggest a program, but everyone starting out should read (top one, best way to train your gun dog) http://www.delmarsmithkennels.com/products.html

His book written by Terrant has been out of publication for years. I don't know why it is still advertised. My wife bought me a used one for $60.

Check abe.com American Book exchange. 60 bucks seems realy high.

Edit

WOW Was I ever wrong. $60 is a good price. They want 200 for a new one.

[PineValleyBritt]

I don't have any intentions of field trials or grand champions Iam just looking to train a weekend bird dog that will get on birds maybe a month out of the year. If he knows here, heel , an whoa an steady points birds an hunts close, an fetches very well, he would make my finished bird dog. I love to bird hunt when season comes around but here in ohio all are hunts are on pen raised birds.

[AZ Brittany Guy]

im not going to suggest a program, but everyone starting out should read (top one, best way to train your gun dog) http://www.delmarsmithkennels.com/products.html

His book written by Terrant has been out of publication for years. I don't know why it is still advertised. My wife bought me a used one for $60.

Check abe.com American Book exchange. 60 bucks seems realy high.

Edit

WOW Was I ever wrong. $60 is a good price. They want 200 for a new one.

I'll bet Terrant's estate retains the rights to this book and that is why it is not being reprinted. Too bad, great book.

[PineValleyBritt]

I don't have any intentions of field trials or grand champions Iam just looking to train a weekend bird dog that will get on birds maybe a month out of the year. If he knows here, heel , an whoa an steady points birds an hunts close, an fetches very well, he would make my finished bird dog. I love to bird hunt when season comes around but here in ohio all are hunts are on pen raised birds.

[S&J gsp]

Well, if you don't understand it, your dog wont either. Always remember that. When things are simple for you, they will also be simple for the dog.
A dog doesn't understand English, but it will always read your eyes, voice, and touch, in a positive way, or negative way.
You have to figure out, how its being used. An old saying, "Silence is golden, duct tape is silver"

Not for sure where St. Clair is, I am located about 2hr south of Cinn. I have got several levels dogs that I am working right now, several different breeds. If you would like to come down, the door is open. Help me work, and watch, ask questions when we are done working that dog. I have the ground, quail, and pigeons. We can work out something in between the swing shift. There's no charge, just bring yourself, and your dog. Hope it helps, Thanks Jonesy

This is the best offer I've seen a pro that will help and answer questions for you helping him

[AZ Brittany Guy]

Boy, I would find a way to take Jonesy up on that if I were you.

[birddog1968]

im not going to suggest a program, but everyone starting out should read (top one, best way to train your gun dog) http://www.delmarsmithkennels.com/products.html

His book written by Terrant has been out of publication for years. I don't know why it is still advertised. My wife bought me a used one for $60.

Check abe.com American Book exchange. 60 bucks seems realy high.

Edit

WOW Was I ever wrong. $60 is a good price. They want 200 for a new one.

It can be had from amazon and google in the 40 dollar range...

[RoostersMom]

Jonesy is a wonderful person and a good trainer, I would for sure take him up on his offer. He uses common sense with dogs - and I've found that what I think of as common sense just isn't so common anymore!

Go spend a day or a weekend with him in the field.

[clink83]

I think the West or Dave walker methods are really simple and easy to understand and do. All you need is a pinch collar l, cc, and some birds. They are also very good for soft dogs, which is a huge benefit for Britt's. Throwing a rolled up towl at a Britt is not a sound training method IMO.
Mo Lindy posts in here and has a yahoo group too, if you need help.

[PineValleyBritt]

I would forsure take him up on that if he didn't live close to 8 hours away from me

[BellaSpinone]

You are very close to the Buckeye NAVHDA chapter. Suggest you contact them for next training day.

[RayGubernat]

I would forsure take him up on that if he didn't live close to 8 hours away from me

My friend, I will say this just as plain as I can: Jonesy has made you an offer that is just too good to refuse. Don't.

I would clear a three day period, maybe Friday through Sunday, make motel reservations and drive myself and my dog down there Thursday night... if I were you.

Three days of watching and working with a good pro can show you more than you could ever hope to learn in a year by yourself reading books and watching videos.

RayG

PS - If you need to justify this to yourself, your wife or anyone else, just go to the Smith website or the Hickox website or Perfection kennels website and find out what a three day seminar costs. Those seminars typically have ten or more participants, and their dogs, competing for the trainer's attention. You are being offered a one-on -one.

[S&J gsp]

I would forsure take him up on that if he didn't live close to 8 hours away from me

My friend, I will say this just as plain as I can: Jonesy has made you an offer that is just too good to refuse. Don't.

I would clear a three day period, maybe Friday through Sunday, make motel reservations and drive myself and my dog down there Thursday night... if I were you.

Three days of watching and working with a good pro can show you more than you could ever hope to learn in a year by yourself reading books and watching videos.

RayG

PS - If you need to justify this to yourself, your wife or anyone else, just go to the Smith website or the Hickox website or Perfection kennels website and find out what a three day seminar costs. Those seminars typically have ten or more participants, and their dogs, competing for the trainer's attention. You are being offered a one-on -one.

One thing that Ray didn't mention in his post is that you could end up with a mentor for future training problems. This is too good of an offer to pass on one on one time with a pro is the best experience you could ever ask for. No books or videos will ever answer all your questions

Thanks
Stan

[PineValleyBritt]

Yea I understand that. We are talkin an tring to figure when both a schedules work

[PineValleyBritt]

Will be heading down to hang out with jonsey this weekend to try an learn as much as possible on two days