New Puppy.. i need some tips...

JimmyMo32 · 10-22-2006, 09:29 PM

alrite guys.. i have been looking for months now for a good puppy to get.. i didnt want to spend alot of cash but i did want a good dog... so i came across this guy in the newspaper who was selling german shorthair pointer/ black lab mix puppies... i went and took a look at them and i fell in love.. i bought a male. and i named it MOJO.. the mom is a full blooded gsp and the dad is a full blooded black lab..

can anyone give me some pointers on how to train this dog i.e. when to start, what to start with, and so on.... i am a college student and will be home friday saturday and sunday... i want this dog to hunt doves with me and hopefully pheasant and maybe duck.... so if anyone could help me out that would be great...

oh yeah heres a pic of Mojo.. he is 8 weeks old today

tatonka · 10-23-2006, 08:36 AM

Do you want the dog to point or flush birds? Given it's parentage it may or may not have the instinct to point. You can test this out with a bird wing on a fishing line. Flip the wing out in front of the pup. If he hesitates or "Locks up", he'll point for you. If not, you'll probably want to train him as a flushing dog.

Sounds like you're wanting your pup to be a versatile type of dog....a little pheasant hunting, duck hunting, non-slip retriever for dove hunting, etc. You might want to get a copy of the NAVDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) hunting manual and use their methods. Their book is called "The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog"
They have a website you can order the book from (or at least they used to), or you can try Amazon.com. They should have it also. Good Luck!

swamp rooster · 10-23-2006, 08:40 AM

Good lookin pup, he should have a good nose on him with that cross.Time to start now with a little leash work and i like playing with a bird wing ,duck or dove and get him bringing to ya just make it fun for the pup he will probably be ok.

JimmyMo32 · 10-24-2006, 12:39 PM

where can i get a dove or bird wing or whatever?.. i mean i could go out and shoot one.. help me out here im new at this..

oh and how can i train him to sit, heel, etc.

swamp rooster · 10-24-2006, 12:50 PM

If the season is open for doves or ducks maybe you know someone who has some birds or some in the freezer for training purposes .or a taxidermist who has a few in the freezer he doesnt need ,it shouldnt be any trouble to find a wing.as far as the siting and heeling youll just have to work with him alot.there some good books on the market that will help also.

tatonka · 10-25-2006, 08:26 AM

If you can't get a bird wing from a friend, keep your eye out for a fresh road kill. If all else fails, Cabelas sells them.

Doc E · 10-25-2006, 08:28 AM

How you will need to train this dog will depend in large part as to whether the dog wants to point or wants to flush.

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JimmyMo32 · 10-25-2006, 09:13 AM

and you guys think i need to test him to see what he will do starting now?

Doc E · 10-25-2006, 07:26 PM

For now, you just need to be bonding with the pup and non-enforced Obedience. When the dog is older (3-4 months) you will need to start enforcing OB and that's a good age (4 months or so)to see whether the dog is going to be a pointer or a flusher.

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JimmyMo32 · 10-25-2006, 07:39 PM

so for now i need to just be playing with him and taking him for walks through the fields and through the woods... oh and hopefully someone can help me with this... he has been peeing on the capret here for the last 5 days.. i take him outside and everything.. how can i break him of this..

we have him in the house with us at nights and when we are home.. and when we leave we put him in the garage in a spot we made for him.. just until i get his kennel built down by the shed... in the garage we have a big open space with a pen and a small run.. does everyone think this is ok?