Retraining an old dog
Retraining an old dog
I've 2 12yo griffons. They hunted a bird farm with me till they were 4/5 and we've been out of the field since. Tried to take them out last year and this but they act like we are out for a stroll even when I've seen birds in the area. When I first trained them I was able to purchase birds from the farm but they have since closed. About 2 yrs ago we got backyard chickens which they've never chased - I wonder if that's confused their nose/reaction? Any tips how to get them reset?
We are located in the SF Bay Area.
Thanks, Brian (Noah and Neo)
We are located in the SF Bay Area.
Thanks, Brian (Noah and Neo)
- gundogguy
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Re: Retraining an old dog
If you did attempt to re-train. How many years of service do you expect to get in return?
I'm 100% in favor of LGBT - Liberty, Guns, Bacon and Trump.
Re: Retraining an old dog
If I am reading this right, It sounds like they have spent 8 years as couch potatoes. They are probably out of condition and lack interest in hunting.
You might try taking them out one at a time on some planted quail and shoot whatever you can. Maybe throw a few dead birds or clipped wings to try to get their interest back. Work on conditioning and birds.
The chickens likely have nothing to do with it. A lot of bird dogs live with birds in the yard but that does not diminish their interest in the field.
If they seem overly attached to each other, Maybe running each dog with a different dog who is a hunter would help. I think if they hunted earlier it might come back.
I suspect they are just old and lazy. I know that feeling. Good Luck........Cj
You might try taking them out one at a time on some planted quail and shoot whatever you can. Maybe throw a few dead birds or clipped wings to try to get their interest back. Work on conditioning and birds.
The chickens likely have nothing to do with it. A lot of bird dogs live with birds in the yard but that does not diminish their interest in the field.
If they seem overly attached to each other, Maybe running each dog with a different dog who is a hunter would help. I think if they hunted earlier it might come back.
I suspect they are just old and lazy. I know that feeling. Good Luck........Cj
Re: Retraining an old dog
gundogguy wrote:If you did attempt to re-train. How many years of service do you expect to get in return?
Being as how I'm older and slower myself I think I might get another year or two with them. Mostly hunt hedgerows and two-tracks so they prolly won't see a lot of exhausting brush busting. After extended couch potatoeing together they are definitely co-dependent. I'm not looking to make world class trial dogs out of them - just need them to say"hey, there's a bird in there!"cjhills wrote:I suspect they are just old and lazy. I know that feeling. Good Luck........Cj
Part of the drive being the kid(11) just got her license and I'd like her to gain an appreciation for her two dogs she's tolerated all her life..
Re: Retraining an old dog
Being a Grandpa ..I can empathise .RdHawg wrote:
Part of the drive being the kid(11) just got her license and I'd like her to gain an appreciation for her two dogs she's tolerated all her life..
Just take a walk with a gun and the dogs and the kid ..and let them do what they do ..! If it dont produce something , then You have gained a lot .
Regards
Robert
Re: Retraining an old dog
Enjoy Your Thanks Giving .
I thought I would share an Old Dog ..with a Young Dog .
Handler/Owner has years of experience in the shooting field .....Done it for Years!!
Apologies for the length of the clip , But , some Ole timers like me require it spelling out ,and at slow time
Young dog , Old and Not ever to learn something every day .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krTbwcRb88Q
I thought I would share an Old Dog ..with a Young Dog .
Handler/Owner has years of experience in the shooting field .....Done it for Years!!
Apologies for the length of the clip , But , some Ole timers like me require it spelling out ,and at slow time
Young dog , Old and Not ever to learn something every day .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krTbwcRb88Q
- gonehuntin'
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Re: Retraining an old dog
12 years old, been sitting for years; I wouldn't even bother. If I did anything, I'd only obedience train and condition the dog's and take what you get.
LIFE WITHOUT BIRD DOGS AND FLY RODS REALLY ISN'T LIFE AT ALL.
Re: Retraining an old dog
X2polmaise wrote:Being a Grandpa ..I can empathise .RdHawg wrote:
Part of the drive being the kid(11) just got her license and I'd like her to gain an appreciation for her two dogs she's tolerated all her life..
Just take a walk with a gun and the dogs and the kid ..and let them do what they do ..! If it dont produce something , then You have gained a lot .
Regards
Robert
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