Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
04-29-2007, 11:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Posts: 4
Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
I recently adopted a young puppy that we believe is a half german shepard, half husky. Is it possible to train a dog like this to hunt say pheasant? Any info is much appreciated!
Thanks
Thanks
04-30-2007, 02:44 AM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 860
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
Depends. I'm sure the dog will have the smarts for it but alot depends on the dog. If it has the desire for birds, which you can train them for, and (a big AND) has the ability to range then you can train it as a flusher. To train it as a pointer will probably give you fits. Either way, you are going to have a long road ahead of you. Alot of training materials already assumes the dog has certain natural traits like bird drive, range, stamina, etc. So, much is gonna be fairly useless since your gonna have instill/reinforce these traits.
04-30-2007, 08:36 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Colville WA USA
Posts: 1,974
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
In non-hunting breeds, the "hunting genes" are there, but they are very deeply buried. It will probably be a very tough road to try to bring those hunting genes to the surface.
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05-02-2007, 10:01 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 860
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
It's not impossible. The post with GS/Rott/Husky mix was able to get a dog that ran ahead or range ahead. The GS side of the dog certainly has the smarts for it but not as strong nose as a bird dog or hound. But it will still find birds. I've heard of a GS professionally trained for birds.
If I own a mix this is how I'd train it. First, get the dog hyped on birds. I'd go out to a game farm, buy a few birds, tie the bird legs to a long string and let the dog at it or pull some wing feathers so it won't fly far.
Next get a check cord and teach it to quarter.
Lastly, teach it to fetch.
If I own a mix this is how I'd train it. First, get the dog hyped on birds. I'd go out to a game farm, buy a few birds, tie the bird legs to a long string and let the dog at it or pull some wing feathers so it won't fly far.
Next get a check cord and teach it to quarter.
Lastly, teach it to fetch.
05-09-2007, 09:54 PM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location:
Posts: 698
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
I guess anything will flush birds. Ever Hunted in Mexico? They use bird boys to walk and beat the brush to get up the birds.
There will never be a replacement forthe thrill of a classy bird dog pointing a covey of birds
There will never be a replacement forthe thrill of a classy bird dog pointing a covey of birds
05-22-2007, 01:30 PM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: south Ark
Posts: 371
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
Possible---yes. Usually very difficult, though. ON a bet I once trained a Dachshound to hunt quail. Getting her to lay off the rabbits was the biggest challenge, but she eventually got the message. I got ALOT of ribbing taking her out with the rest of the dogs and their ownersto hunt.
