Oldtimr

Yes it is, thank you.

homers brother

My family "rescued" a pup from the pet store a few months ago. He's a hunting breed, but you know pet store dogs... I like hunting over a dog, just never had one of my own. The only dogs I've ever trained were sled dogs, obviously different. So, I read up quick in the off-chance the the pet shop dog might have a hunting gene hidden somewhere. He surprised me, and the challenge has been on ever since.

Of what I've read - and don't get me wrong, having ideas and differences in opinions HAS been helpful - I'm frankly amazed at how many of those things just didn't work, other than simply to lead me to the next thing. And, I've come to appreciate more and value that he has some natural abilities which I underestimated after all of that reading.

He was too young for the field last season, so he's got his big test ahead and he looks good in the pastures around the house now. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm training a hunting buddy, not a showdog for Westminster or the textbook gun dog.

Oldtimr

What breed? Pointing or flushing?

RPD63

Post up some pictures of your new hunting buddy. We like pup pictures. Lol

homers brother

English Springer. I'll try to post a photo one of these days.

Oldtimr

Thanks, do that. Just a little advice from someone who is no expet trainer, but has trained several flushing dogs for myself,, the most important thing to teach a flushing dog is to "hup", that is to sit till you tell her to continue to hunt when she gets too far ahead of you, otherwise she will flush birds out of range. Good luck.

homers brother

Absolutely. We've been working on this one, but only more practice and time will tell. I've been changing directions intentionally a lot when we're out "hunting", so he's kind of off balance and not always knowing where he's going to find me unless he stays relatively close by, especially in the tall grass. I've also been able to call him off the occasional jackrabbits and non-game birds almost instantly, which is encouraging but always a concern. I'd rather break bad habits before they become habits in the first place. He's a lot of fun to work with.

bronko22000

Yo may be able to get pigeons and work with him on live birds. I was going to say chuckar but you probably have wild ones there. I used to get them here in PA at a game farm (about 50 or so) and just let the local WCO know that I was going to be putting some out and shooting them over my dog. I never had any problems going that route.
Just one quick tip if you do this. When you park your vehicle, go around the OTHER side of the field with the birds and plant them on your way back using a piece of surveyors flagging to mark them. I had to start doing that because my dog got too smart and realize that if she followed my scent trail it would lead her to a bird!

Oldtimr

Bronko, every smart dog does that.

Doc E

It's called FORCE Fetch for a reason.
Teach = HOLD
Enforce = Ear Pinch Fetch
Reinforce = ecollar Fetch

What are you going to do to train Force to Pile ?
How about "T" and "double T" ?

I can think of a dozen reasons why I would not do "Treat Fetch".


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