There are differing opinions on the wing+string trick. Some people like it alot, others say it's just used to see the dog pointing. I used it once or twice then put it away as it showed the 'form' of my puppy's point. Some people say it teaches the dog to creep. I don't have an opinion either way. My puppy creeps when sight pointing but with scentlocks up and won't move until the bird moves or like last Wednesday, rabbit bolts. Something I have to correctlater.

I wouldn't worryabout teaching 'woah' or 'heel' as the first priority would be getting birds for the dog. You will start to notice things about your dog. Like if the pup stares at birds, chases birds, etc. My pup likes to playwithother dogs alot but recently she's been staring at birds more than playing. That's why Iknew I had to get her on birds quickly. Woah and Heel you can teach whenever and the chain gang is just suppose to make him more biddable.

At three months you can start conditioning him for later training, like after a long walk the last ten minutes, tug gently on the leash if he pulls too hard. Before he eats, make him stand still. Stuff like that.

I would be interested to know how far your pup ranges when off leash. English Pointers rule field trials for a reason. They range futher than most gundogs, they have an excellent nose, and they can go all day full bore. For some people, the EP are too intense. I've heard GSP owners call all-age stakes EPs too intense for their liking. But it all comes down to genetics. Some EPs hunt close. But if your dog like running big, then you're in for a treat (he'll find alot of birds) and alot of exercise (running to the points). I use to hunt behind an EP who won puppy stakes and she would flat out run and run all day long.