He's off to Bird Camp

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:00 am

Guinness is off to bird camp this Saturday and will be gone for a month or more. Sure am going to miss him.

Anyway, for all of you with this experience, do you recommend me going to the trainer every week (or two) to facilitate with the training ? Or does it depend on the trainer?

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:50 am

I just got my shorthair back from training.

My trainer asked that I not come up there for two weeks so that the dog can get better aquainted with the trainer and the surroundings. After that I went up there once a week.

It's hard to leave when your pup gives you those sad eyes. You just have to realize that they will be having fun with birds and other dogs and such. I think it's a great growing period for them mentally.

Just my thoughts....

Jon

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:56 am

shoot, john, she has forgotten you all ready. playin with the birds and the other pups is more interesting than the same old guy to sit next to and watch TV with all the time.

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:45 pm

Vz,

Thanks for the words. I feel like I'm sending a kid off to college or something

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:54 pm

I can understand what your are going through.
I am taking my new pup to Bob Bruchett in Iowa and leave a week today.
The more I have talked with him the better I am feeling about it.
The wife on the other hand has already shed some tears and I am sure there will be more next week when we leave.
I sure will miss him but I am looking forward to seeing him work when I get him back,
I think the distance I am driving to drop him off will keep me from want to run over and see him to often. I have a 14 hour drive to go drop him off and pick him up.
Let us know when he comes back and how pleased you are with the results.

Mav....

littleking · Post by **littleking** » Sun May 28, 2006 9:51 am

MNGSP wrote:I just got my shorthair back from training.

My trainer asked that I not come up there for two weeks so that the dog can get better aquainted with the trainer and the surroundings. After that I went up there once a week.

It's hard to leave when your pup gives you those sad eyes. You just have to realize that they will be having fun with birds and other dogs and such. I think it's a great growing period for them mentally.

Just my thoughts....

Jon

mine said the same thing, and seemed to work pretty darn well

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:14 am

Well I picked up Guinness this weekend from the trainers because he needs to get tested for heart worm and also needs more of the medication. Anyway, he's doing ok as far as I can tell but the one thing that concerned me is when I brought him home, he would not wake up! He kept on sleeping and sleeping and sleeping. It's like he didn't sleep at all when he was there for 3 weeks. I think he slept from noon all the way through the next morning (with obvious 5-10 minute breaks here and there). He slept all of Sunday too! Also, he seems more "depressed" than before - like he is not as hyper as he used to be. Maybe it's because he's tired. And, he lost some weight. He actually looks quite thin, but a healthy thin I believe. I didn't weigh him. All in all he's progressing along well according to Chris, so this is not impacting his field work. I know this is all part of it - he needs to learn and grow from this experience away from home.

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:43 am

djswizz,

I don't mean this to be disrespectful but it sounds to me you are trying to give your dog human qualities. He is a dog. I would guess if he had lazed around the house most of the time and suddenly was sent somewhere and got to run once or twice a day he would be tired. And that isn't a problem I don't think. I've gotten tired and I've seen kids get tired and also my dogs so I think that is normal.

I've never been able to tell if my dogs liked or disliked barking. I think they basically like it since that is a form of communication for them. And I do know most love to bark back so I wouldn't worry about that either.

Depressed is another human quality that I haven't recognized in a dog. I've seen them miss there Master for a short period and I've seen them miss a dog they have been with for years but depressed , I'm not sure that is an animal emotion.

And I think it is natural that he lost some weight if he is being worked

What I hear you stating are the human emotions you are feeling and not a thing about Guinness. He seems to be doing what every dog does. And I'm not sure he will grow from this experience but lets hope he learns. That is why you sent him and I'll bet most anything he is enjoying the activity.

If we are going to put it back on a human basis I would say he is reacting just exactly as any teen age kid would that had been sent to camp.

Sorry if this sounds too cold hearted but I do get the impression you are thinking of Guinness as a human child and he just isn't. He is a dog and a pet, that you need to care for an do what you can to make him a good hunting dog and pet. Do that and you will both be happy.

Ezzy

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:09 am

ezzy,

I'm sorry but I do take your post to be disrespectful, coldhearted and rude since you have NO idea how I have treated my dog in the past. I understand your viewpoint of giving a dog human qualities because I have seen MANY others do this. This is definitely not the case on my part. Please don't make any assumptions.

I posted to give an update of how I think he is doing. I observed these things from him and of course I am going to question them because I have not seen them before. It's like if I saw him starting to act strangely after he ate his food or something. Am I going to question this? Of course!!! And you will too. We all want the best for our dogs.

Also, he is not a trial dog, where I know SOME view them as just a DOG. This is unfortunate because I feel (and it's only my opinion) that some trial dogs are only trialed not just to better the breed, but the create a better "litter" so others can profit from this sucess. To me, this is viewing a dog as JUST a dog.

You also seem to forget he is at bird camp. The fact that he is there and doing what GSPs were bred to do is a lot better than most GSPs out there that are just family dogs. Most end up just living their lives not doing a thing with birds. Also, you must realize that I am a member of this web forum. The fact that I am here should indicate the love and care I have for my GUN dog.

Having this dog is not just about having a DOG! It's about having something more than that! He is not just a DOG but rather a companion/loyal partner/hunting buddy to me AND my family. I know that he is not a human. I don't care for him like he is one but I AM going to look out for him. I can't deny the fact that he is part of my family and I will do whatever I can for him to give him the best life possible. My life and his will be a lot better than mosts' for creating this environment.

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:22 am

Sorry if I read your post wrong. I stand corrected. Sounds like you are doing the best you can for pup and that is good.

Ezzy

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:28 am

That's fine ezzy. No hard feelings

Thanks for the help though! I appreciate all feedback, even if I don't agree 100% of the time!

Tyler

markj · Post by **markj** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:42 am

How old should a pup be before sending him to training camp? Just wondering what you all think. I never let ano0ther train my dogs but this summer I am not able to give the new pup a lot of attention. Thanks for any help you can give. Also anyone recommend a trainer in Omaha area? I am thinking of Pat at Bustin loose kennels or Art Armbrust as I have seen their kennels and dogs.

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:54 am

I was told by two trainers that they should be at least 9 months old. No younger than that. Hope this helps!

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:11 am

Hi djswizz,

I also have a dog away at a trainers and it can be tough having a young dog away. My wife was a very unhappy lady when I left to bring maverick to Iowa to the trainers.
As for him sleeping all day I would not worry to much about that. He has been a working dog and has been training everyday for a while. He is just loving being back in the house.
As for not being as hyper, he will mature while away and has probally had lots of exercise which will calm a dog right down. After all is said and done he should come home a much more mature dog and be ready to serve you well this coming bird season.
I look forward to more updates as you get them.

Mav.....

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:15 am

Mav,

You're dead on accurate with him being more mature. I can see this already and look forward to the days ahead!

Thanks!

Tyler

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