The habits the dog gets now are for life. If you don't want them on the couch or in the bed, it starts now, don't let them up there, or do, its you call.

My GSP always has food in his bowl (I have one of those big containers that you turn the knob and it dumps food). He regulates his own eating and have not had any problems (did gain weight when nuetered though, gotta watch that) But for 5 years he weighed 70-72 pounds, no deviations from that, and he was a rail.

Work with them from day one. Its crazy, but my experience, I spent weeks teaching him to sit, then one day he learned sit, and the next day he learned lay down, and the next he had stay down really well. Its like someone flipped a switch and he decided to learn or something. He also picked up on my hand signals before my words, so when I snap my fingers in an upwards direction he sits, when I point down he lays down, and when I give him the stop signal (open hand like a cop) he stays. Now days I use the hand signals more than anything, which is cool.

Anyway, don't get frustrated, when you do, take a break and play. The more time spent the better, considering how busy people are today, the more time spent up front will pay off later as opposed to trying to correct bad habits.

Thats my best advice considering my limited experience with hunting dogs (this is my first). Also, maybe take her to a dog obiedience class, this is a good time for her to get used to other dogs, so she can hunt with others and play nice. Jake is very motivated by treats, which is nice. Thats how they ran my class, most everything was using treats to motivate the dog.

Getting her used to water is fun. My GSP outswims all the labs I have had him with, he LOVES water. His first swim, me pushing him in the water. 15 seconds later he was JUMPING off the dock into the water and having a grand time. Its a great low impact exercise too (tell Jake "swimming?" and he goes nuts!). He even stands there and lets me dry him off after (for the ride home) and will lift each paw for me to clean them out from mud. Its funny how they get used to habits.

Anyway, have fun. As soon as I get a fence here at my new house I will be looking to get a second GSP.

--Jim