Hello everyone,

Just like to take a few momments to say how great this forum (this whole website actually) is. It has everything any hunter needs really.

Back to the point. I will be getting a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy in the summer and I want to try and train it to be a pointing and retreiving dog to help me hunt some small game. I am really unexperienced at training dogs especially hunting dogs so I am going to need a lot of guidance. That is why I am turning to you for help. Are there any books or preferably DVDs or Videos you know of that will help me train a dog from start to end. And I mean books or videos that are made for someone that is as much as an amatuer as you can get lol.

Any help will be greately apprieciated.

If you are getting GSP, you might want to pick up a copy of the NAVHDA book, "The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog". They also have a video out. I haven't seen it, so can't comment on it. Their website is: http://www.navhda.org/

Another book I refer to all the time is "Expert Advice on Gun Dog Training" by David Michael Duffey. It's in a question/answer format with a panel of experts giving their response to a variety of traning questions. It covers Pointing, Retrieving, Flushing, and the Versatile breeds. It's a good book to have on hand regardless of the breed you own. Good Luck!

I would highly suggest a book called The Armbruster Training Manual by Leonard Armbruster. It's the basis from which most of the training done on German versatiles are performed. You can google it and you'll find a few sources that sell the book. Not something you'll find on Amazon, but you should be able to find it from someone associated with the VDD.

It will cover everything you need. This is a book "literally" translated from German to English, so there are some nuances to work through. That said, if your goal is to have a truly versatile dog, this is the book.

As far as videos, just go to as many gun dog related websites as you can and start your collection. They will add very little value, but are extremely fun to watch.

Thanks a lot for your replies

If anyone has anymore suggestions am open to hear them.

I have used one that I tought was OK, but you will need to get around some folks that have been using them as well to get a better understanding. The one I have used is called " Training Your Pointing Dog " by Scott Miller. It also has some info on natural retrieving as well. Good Luck to you an your pup.

Tony - I fyou want to do it yorself and are looking for a group of people who canhelp you - Do look at the NAVHDA (North American Hunting Dog Assoc.) The 'Grass roots' of this organization are the Chapters located throughout the USA and Canada.

The Goal of NAVHDA's Chapters is to help train you to train your own versatile pointing dog before and after the shot on both land an water.

Seems to me that is what you want.........

PM me and I can help or check the Chapter Contact page on NAVHDA.org.

JW

Did you leave out Versatile on purpose
(just messin with ya)


.

The Biggest Mistake i see with folks training for the first time is too much too fast.
Training a dog is like a puzzle you first start with all the peices then you start putting them together.
Starting early is a key. You get to harness more natural abillities that way
Consistanceyin your actions and the dogs
Contact, Repetition, Association
Small steps equals big gains in the long run
How much and when makes a big difference

Thanks for your replies everyone. I haven't actually bought any books or videos yet but i will very soon. I have however looked on manywebsites and asked some people to find some more information about raising a hunting dog. I did get some different advices form different places so i thought id ask some of my questions here to see what you lot think.
1) How old should the puppy be before i start training it?
2) How old should the dog be before i actually take it hunting with me?
3) Should i buy an e-collar to assist me with training?

I start at 6-8 weeks old with a wing on a fishing rod. Pointing
8-12 weeks old i put the pup in the flight pen with 1 quail
(sometimes this can be to early for some if they get scared get them out)
let them point knock chase kill retrieve whatever they want to do
As Soon as they get a little bigger and bolder i start in the field
Buy a Collar get a Dogtra 202NCP 2 dog unit for 300 bucks
this is why you need a 2 dog collar