training for 6yo finished gun dog

[33Scout]

I have recently acquired a finished gun dog. A 6yo llewellen setter. Can someone recommend training I should do with him in the off season? I plan on buying a bird launcher. Just looking for some advice because I want him to hunt productively.

[rinker]

If he is finished, he shouldn't need much training. Just work to keep him sharp. I have launchers but I try to avoid using them with older dogs. My older dogs get ran a lot in the off season to keep them in shape and to keep them handling. They find an occasional bird and that is usually enough. If they seem to be getting bored or starting to lose interest I try to find a few quail and release them and work the dogs on them.

[DonF]

+1

Well maybe. What is it your calling finished? Seem's that can relate to a dog anywhere from holds a point pretty good to broke to wing shot and kill. One indignant dog owner with a dog that sounded like started to me said finished means I gone as far as I want and I'm happy with my dog. I don't know one dog person that would call not finished to wing shot and kill, a finished dog. If what you have is a well started dog just keep on keeping on. give it a few training birds a couple time's a week. If it's really standing well, turn loose game birds, I prefer quail. They are cheaper and I can afford more! When I'm strapped and can't afford quail, I shoot pigeons. I made foot traps that need to be kicked over to release the birds. If the dog in maybe not so steady, use pigeons and launcher's. Small trick to launcher's. Don't really use them as a training aide to teach the dog what you want but rather a training aide that allow's you the make the pigeon in the trap act real so as to teach the dog about what the bird will allow!

[mudhunter]

You live close enough to wild birds the best thing you can do with that dog is work him every chance you get on wild birds. Get a cheap blank gun and shoot that in the off season. Just stop when the birds are nesting as to not stress them out.

[Pepper]

I agree. check with the folks at Fish and Game. Some states consider it harassing birds.

[33Scout]

Thanks guys. This snow is killing me. I wanna get him out but this snow is killing me. Hard to hunt a dog with 20" of snow.

[Sharon]

Hard to hunt yes, but great fun to be had.