training dogs

[Mary Price]

I have been involved in training my dogs in hunt tests for the past 3 years and I am at a loss as to how to make connection with people who train their dogs or who have knowledge of training techniques. I have trained on the mainland for the past 3 years in the summer time.   Also, I have been unable to obtain a source of  birds this year to train my dogs.in the field.   If someone out there has birds available or knows of someone  I would be glad to make connectios. I am an outdoor enthusiast , love fishing and have been around dogs most of my life .  My passion is to do field trials  with my dogs and train on a daily basis . I own the Littleriver dog  called the Toller of Nova Scotia. My Toller Jazz  is the smallest of the retrievers but a good upland hunting dog.  Nice talking .   Mary 

[doug gordon]

Hi Bryon I have a Braque du Bourbonnais that I got August 2011 from Cactus Country Kennels in Arizona. She is now five months and I have been hunting with her for ptarmigan with my friends german short haired(gus). Gus  is amazing in the field . Like you I want to have some proffisional training. I would like to see your pup when you get it.

[Ken Dinn]

Couple of things that I will point out.... First it takes birds to make a bird dog there is no easy way around it. Birds can be picked up here in NL each and ever summer if you look at the local classifieds, not hard to fine quail, pheasants etc. Pigeons are a great training bird as well. However if you are going to use planted birds you have to control the situation so that the dog does not catch the bird. Planted birds have an escape distance of zero and birds caught by the dog will set your pointing back so you have to be careful. A better plan is to put in the miles and find wild birds unless you are with someone who is experienced.

A good book is “How To Help Gundogs Train Themselves” by Joan Bailey I recommend it to all of my puppy buyers.

Word of caution…. stay away from the “wing on a string” game as it only causes more trouble then it is worth IMO. Many think that it is a great “training” tool but if you look at it from the dog’s point of view the dog “sees” the wing or whatever and points. If you transfer this to birds the dog will try to see the birds before pointing and wild birds will not allow a dog to approach that close so  they end up flushing and the dog starts to chase. This can happen over and over and you end up with a dog that loves to chase and so the pointing suffers. You want the dog to point by scent not sight. I have worked with many dogs over the years that were for all intensive purposes ruined by the wing on a string. With all of that said yes it will work for some dogs but better to be safe then sorry.

Your breeder is a person who you should be asking these questions to as well because they know your dog better then anyone and a good breeder will want to be included and help.

So is this a pup you are getting or an older dog?  What kennel? Let me know if you have any questions. Also I will be holding some training weekends next spring summer if you are interested.

Ken

[Byron]

Thanks for the advice.  I am getting a puppy from Aspen Ridge Kennels in Michigan.  He won't be ready to come home until sometime in May.  I am sure the breeder will have lots of advice when the time comes. 

I like the advice about the wing on a string game.  This is the thing I am most worried about, doing something to ruin the dog's chances of becoming a good pointer while he is still a puppy.  That is why I am trying to get as much advice/info from people with experience before I get the pup.

I was watching a video where they used a remote operated dummy launcher set out in a field.  The dog would go on point from the smell and before it got too close they would launch the dummy. Have you had any experience with these?

[Ken Dinn]

Yes I have my own remote launchers and pigeons. I train several dogs each year and travel for testing and judging. In the past I held trainging clinics and will be most likely starting them again this spring summer. Birds will be provided as well as all of the training gear.

 

Ken

[Byron]

Sounds good.  I just ordered the book you suggested.  Could you send me an e-mail when you finalize your plans for the training clinic, including dates, price, type/extent of training, location, etc.?  My e-mail address is [e-mail]

The pup will only be 8 weeks old when I get him in May but some of them start pointing even before they leave the kennel.  Is this too young to start training them with birds, etc. or should the focus be on basic obedience training first?  I have been doing a lot of research and everyone seems to have their own ideas.  I guess it really depends on the pup.

[Mary Price]

Well guys , I don't have pointers but I sure would like to get in on any training weekends you have come spring.  I too have the remote launcher and most of the equipment needed to work in the field.  I had to import ducks from the mainland .    I have 2 Tollers for short . One 5 and one just under 2 just learning the game.  My 5 yr old has her WC but I would like to move to WCI, WCX and JH.   She has been forced fetch and I am now working on my younger girl in that area.    I  would look forward to working with a group.    Let me know.   Mary

[Ken Dinn]

First Bryon/Mary just so I do not forget to include you please keep my contact info and drop me a note whenever but especially in the spring. Mary you did not have to import ducks as they are available here most of the summer at several different places. My contact info is on my site www.vomwillowrock.netkennel.com

Bryon with regards to the pup.... most good quality pups are pointing by eight weeks. There is nothing wrong with proper introduction to the basics including birds at a really young age. I believe in the younger the better and my pups are all introduced to birds and pionting before the leave my kennel. I believe in getting a good foundation in place young and then building on it in the future. One thing to remember when training a pointing dog is to keep everything in balance.... too much obedience early on will lead to a dog that is too dependent on the handler and will be reluctant to range out. Obedince has to be kept in balance with getting out for free runs. Yes make him a good citizen but he is a pup first and most things are fun.... the serious training comes later. Same goes with too much retreiving with out much pointing this will take away from the pointing if the dog loves to retreive.

Make the pup your buddy, expose him/her to as much as possible once the needles are finished, proper introduction to loud noices etc. lots of free running and positive experiences will make for a better dog in the end.

Ken

[Mary Price]

Its good to know birds are available here. Believe me I went to a lot of trouble to get them on the mainland .   Thats good news for sure.  I will remind you into the spring on training .  Mary

[Byron]

OK, I will do that, thanks again for the advice.