Wow, what a coincidence, I was going to ask the same question about my Visla that I got from the pound. He is about 15months and shows strong pointing instinct, and boy can you read him when he is birdy on small birds in the alfalfa field next door. My problem has been time; just haven't had enough time/access to get him on some pheasants or pigeons to get him pointing and holding afield. My plan, though, is to hunt him primarily on farm terraces and ditches this year where I can see and control him well and get him steady this fall. I won't even mention the cardinal sin of making him a flusher.....!!!