Gun Dog Forum

I got my first pointing dog just before Christmas, a GSP. I have worked with him on "Come", "No", "Kennel", "Fetch", taken him to the fields twice, walk him up town when I go to the post office, I have taken him to my office to get played with by the people there, and have introduced him to gunfire. But, the weather here in Michigan lately has been extremely cold and there is a lot of snow on the ground. All of the training videos I watch and books I read say to get them out into the fields as much as possible before introducing them to basic command training, but those videos are all filmed in the warmer months of the year. What do you do with a young pup (now 13-weeks) when the weather outside is not fit for man nor beast? I feel like I am wasting precious training time with him while I wait for a break in the weather to get him back out into the fields and woods. I am wondering what some of you more experienced trainers do with pups when the weather outside does not permit training? Do I just remain patient and wait for a break in the weather? Can I work with him on basic commands in the house? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Eric

The pros go to Florida or Texas 13 weeks, that's 3 months. In November he'll still be about a year old which is still very young. There is no big rush here. Work basic obedience a few minutes a day in your backyard. Nothing heavy or heavy handed. If you have him recalling reliably in April you will be way ahead of most first timers. He'll only be 6 months old then and you will have all summer to take those long walks.

Bond with the puppy. Snuggle and play and maybe even take a few naps together. Don't worry so much about time getting by you. The bond between the two of you could be the best tool for training come this spring.

Not too much to add to these two posts. Relax and enjoy your pup. You are already doing fine by exposing her to different places and people. That is all she really needs right now, along with bonding and low pressure obedience. Remember she is just a baby....I would have waited another month or two before any gun intro but that has already been done. Oh, one other thing....have your doctor to write you a prescription for some Valium or Xanax

Good luck and enjoy the ride,
Charlie

birddogger wrote: Oh, one other thing....have your doctor to write you a prescription for some Valium or Xanax

Good luck and enjoy the ride,
Charlie

LOL! Point taken, thank you.

You might get this video from George Hickox, Great Beginnings. The guy does some amazing zero pressure work with puppies. The video is good, but seeing it in person is amazing.

http://www.georgehickox.com/about_georg ... x_dvd.html