1st birddog and first time training

[Wyattc]

I have a female gsp that is 3 1/2 months old and we've been working on obedience and making a few retrieves on a bumper and she's pointed some dead birds just playing around in the yard. Is there any tips that y'all have for me? I've been keeping everything fun and not wearing her out throwing the bumper or anything like that.

[marysburg]

Sounds like you have started out on the right track. You could join a local NAVHDA chapter for access to birds, training land and mentors. You could also get the George Hickox DVDs which describe training pointers during the first year, and I think he has a puppy one too. You are right not to try to overdo the training on such a young pup. Have fun with your pup and welcome to the forum.

[bonasa]

I would definetly join your local navdha chapter, especially if this is your first pointer. Also get some different books on training methods or programs that offer DVD's. A small kitbox style pigeon loft and half a dozen homers would be of greet help too.

[Jogan]

I would definetly join your local navhda chapter, especially if this is your first pointer. Also get some different books on training methods or programs that offer DVD's. A small kitbox style pigeon loft and half a dozen homers would be of greet help too.

I am in the same situation as the OP and looking to join the NAVHDA in Texas. What is a small kitbox style pigeon loft and where can I get one? Sorry I dont mean to high jack you thread.

[QuillGordon]

Maurice Lindley Field Manual
http://www.oknavhda.com/docs/Steady_With_Style.pdf

[tekoa]

No Birds, No Bird Dog................Unless you have easy access to wild birds you must develop or locate a source of birds as soon as possible. Be prepared to use a lot of birds unless you use homers and be prepared for the expense.

Joining a NAHVDA Chapter can help you find bird sources. Some chapters even keep their own Homers. I have used Hickox's training program on my last for Setters and a Chessie with great results.

Good luck...........

[Wyattc]

Thanks for the tips guys! I've got birds and all the stuff to raise them so that's no problem.
Do I need to keep my quail boxes away from my pup or is it ok for her to be around them

[Gator_McClusky]

To get a fully trained dog, you basically have to make dog training a daily ritual/habit. Go slow and be patient. Work in small increments: 2 or 4 - 15-20 minute sessions a day. General obedience (recall, sit, down, heel, whoa) is the foundation of all other training (you can't force fetch if the dog won't sit for the bumper). Consider a local general obedience class. Checkcords are clutch - if you want a dog to hunt off leash, you have to train off leash. Daily off leash walks are the only way to get that control.

Encourage retrieving early on. My Prize 1 GWP got a treat every time he brought me something (no matter how dead or gross) and never punished for stealing something like a sock from the floor (recall them to you and make them return it to hand). By doing so he has never refused a retrieve or tried to play keep away.

[DonF]

Thanks for the tips guys! I've got birds and all the stuff to raise them so that's no problem.
Do I need to keep my quail boxes away from my pup or is it ok for her to be around them

For myself, I wouldn't use any game farm bird to start a pup. The birds are to unreliable in what they will do. Also your gonna have to use a hands on method to work your dog, that means a check cord to stop the dog on scent. and without remote trap, you'll need a helper to flush the bird.

Pigeons are great. You put them up and they go home. Sometimes but not normally, they'll sit back down on the ground, not very often though. They fly into a tree of power pole or something else high and the pup can't get to it. I've had pigeons and trained with them well over 30 yrs. Since going to them I have never ever had to buy training birds other than a few game farm birds for turning the dog's over to game birds! With pigeons and remote traps, you control everything about the bird and never have to touch the dog.

[Sharon]

Exactly. Well said!