Training Pointers
 

I just purchased my first bird dog recently. It is a 9 week old Brittany. I want to train him for grouse, any tips or suggestions would be a great help. I am completely in the dark when it comes to pointers and training them.

RE: Training Pointers
 

Get yourself the book, The Best Way to Train Pointing Dogs, The Delmar Smith Method by Bill Tarrant. Read the first few chapters atleast. It will giveyou an understanding of modern methods and terminology. So when someone asks you if you've train them on the table or stakeout chain, you'll know what they are talking about.

The next few months is going to beteaching the puppy how to learn. Mysuggestionis to pick up a simplepuppy book, any breed.It will teach you about housebreaking, chewing, etc.

Suggestion: I wouldn't use treats but some ppl here do. Just ain't my thing. Also,the 'woah' command is much more effective than 'sit' forpointing dogs.

RE: Training Pointers
 

thanks mite i appreciate the feedback

RE: Training Pointers
 

well i cant offer much, but i went through the same thing u are last year. first thing is ive gotten so much help from here. ask lots of questions but learn to weed through many different views.
a few things to get started is start working on "here or come" NOW.. use anything a toy or what ever, call its name and clap your hands and say "here" when does act like he/she just scored a touchdown.. really praise him/her.. do this a few times a day and it wont take long.
so again ask lots of questions
good luck and congrats on the new pup..
oh one more thing take tons of pics, they grow up so fast

RE: Training Pointers
 

I'm not an experienced trainer but I have worked with one for a couple of months. The issue of treats is a question of seduction vs compellation. For most important commands, the dog needs to be complelled to do what you say. For this we have been using a "nick collar" and its very effective and humane if you use your head and have the variable output adjustments. When you use treats, you are basically seducing your dog into doing something you want. If on occasion the dog doesn't feel like a treat is important, you are screwed. The dog is actually doing what he/she wants on his/her own terms. The nick collar enforces who is alpha. I would however recommend that you work with an experienced trainer if you use the collar, and for heaven's sake never touch it if you're in a bad mood.

RE: Training Pointers
 

I really appreciate the advise guys, but the one thing i am having trouble getting him to do is go the bathroom outside. I take him out every time he wakes up and after every meal or drink. We stay outside for a good have an hour and he does nothing. The minute we get back inside and i turn my head he goes. Let me know if i'm doing soething wrong

RE: Training Pointers
 

Firstadvice I can give is make sure you wake up every 3-4 hours to let them relieve themselves. Keep the time consistant. When they do it outside, praise them. Dogs don't remember more than 13 mins or so (different from place oriented) hence, scolding them for something they did hours before just won't work.

Second is find an area where the floor is easily cleanable. Buy a baby-gate to block off the entrance. You can find them at walmart for around $15.

Thirdly, get a steam carpet cleaner. Also, there are specific soaps that work with steam machines that specially formulated for pets.

RE: Training Pointers
 

I agree with what Mite has said, and Iwould crate the pup at night
and let out first thing in the morning. I used one of those Vari-Kennels
or something simular. You can usually pick up a used one pretty cheap.
As long as you clean it out good it would be ideal in helping you out with
this problem. Good Luck

RE: Training Pointers
 

I have a question...we have two german shorthairs that we got to train for horn hunting.I would also like to train them for bird hunting. Does anyone have tips for this or good resources I could use?

RE: Training Pointers
 

Get yourself a good training program. For versatiles NAVDIA book I hear is good. Also the book I recommended is basically 'the Bible' for upland bird dogs. Its not the end all but covers alot of territory. So, basic run down is like this:

1. Obediance training with some field time mixed in. (Retrieving, Stay, etc.)
2. Get the dogs interested in birds.
3. Introduce the gun.
4. Finishing the dog. (Steady to shot or wing, backing, etc.)

Not everyone does it in this order as some will do things totally different. There really isn't a right or wrong if the dog comes out great at the end. Your best option is to check out a trainer near you and see how he does it. Then when you run into a snag, you have a resource close by. Goodluck.