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T-Patton
College Station, TX
Posts:2
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| 03/09/2010 9:11 AM |
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First off, I would like to thank all of the members on this board for being so informative! I have been exploring this site for a couple months now and have learned so much! So now to the good news. As of April 2010, I will be the proud new father of a GSP! But even better? The breeder is a good friend of mine and lives 5 minutes from my house.
I will be able to spend almost every day with the new pups once they're born. What kind of characteristics do you look for when picking a pup from a litter? What kind of activities or training should I do during these early stages? Should I even try to train during the first 2 months? Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a bunch! |
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Gunnar
MH
Posts:288
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| 03/09/2010 10:22 AM |
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You will get 100 different answers on what to look for in a dog. Some use military standards for testing the senses of the dogs, some folks look for big paws some for small it goes on and on and on. It depends on what you will do with the dog, is it going to be used for hunting, then you look for strong pointing instincts. Some folks play with the puppies with the old wing on a string to see how they react. You can do all this and still come up empty. Me I look at the parents and the grandparents etc.. Then I just grab a puppy and go  Pretty simple. If the dog is well bread then you will get a dog that will hunt, all you need to do is love and train him, be patient and learn the dog, learn to read the dog.
I got my puppy and I just let him do whats in his blood and while he was doing that we did basic obedience. You have some time so I would pick up a few books.
Delmar Smith The Best Way To Train Your Gun Dog.
I don't agree with everything he writes but he can give you some real insight on the breed and how to prep the pup for training. He must know something he's trained a load of national and some international champs. I don't agree with all his methods, some are for harder dogs. My dog does not do well with a WOAH post method. It was breaking his spirit, his ears would go back and he'd look at me like " Dude what are you doing to me" . I took a few weeks off so he could clear his head and moved to a training table then transitioned him to the ground and he did well. It's different for everyone learn to read your dog like he reads you I like Mr Smiths overall approach to dogs, its pretty simple and he really stress's thinking like a dog. Think like a dog, I love that! If you can get inside your dogs head you will have success beyond your wildest dreams.
Join NAVHDA or at least get the green book. You can either buy it or they give you one when you join. Money well spent.
Don't freak out and learn your dog. Just spend some happy puppy time with him, let him run let him chase birds, bond with the dog and the dog will do anything for you out of love. He knows what he was bread for and in time the light bulb will go on, do not force or pressure the dog. Remember like people they all have their own time line. Some guys are shooting birds over their dogs at 6 and 7 months old some folks don't even pick up a gun for a year. Every dog and every person is different. Find what works for you!
The other thing I did was I bought him a kiddie pool just a little round inflatable pool for him to romp in, as a result the dog loves water he's always been around it.
Make everything fun, he's always going to be a puppy yes he will get older and more polished and loose some of his puppyness but deep down he will always be a puppy. MAKE EVERYTHING FUN, and don't bore him with long training sessions if you get uptight call it a day, you will only make the dog tense and always make sure you end the session on a winning note, even if he has failed at a task all day then when you wrap it up set him to a task you know he has mastered and praise him like he has just saved the universe and he will succeed or he will give his life trying. That's what these dogs do. My dog will drop before he stops hunting. Yes he has drive but I like to think and I know that dogs wake up with one thing in mind. " How can I make my master happy today ". That's what they live for. I appreciate that and love him for it.
Have fun, don't pressure him or you ( he'll know if your tense ) let him be a puppy and work basic obedience. Read up on the kind of dog you want him to be and take a direction, but be flexible. Remember they are not all the same so have a plan B. Me I hunt so I knew what I wanted from him and we are working on it. His first season is coming to a close he's had a year that has exceeded my wildest dreams. I didn't over train him I don't expect much from him and he has blown me away with what he does. What I'm telling you is exactly what I did. I'm no genius with gun dogs I'm a simple guy, some stuff makes sense and some don't. Good luck with the puppy!
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jlp8cornell
Ithaca NY
MH
Posts:461
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| 03/09/2010 10:40 AM |
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One thing to keep in mind, let the pup be a pup for a while. Not sure what you want to train for but keep things simple for a bit. You won't be training him in the first couple of months. I assume you will take him home around 8 weeks. You can start your basic obedience commands- sit, down, come. Play retrieve. Socialization. You can enroll in an obedience class around 4 months. (Most clubs have a min age.) Take him into the woods and fields, hike with him. Let him explore and introduce him to the great big world! enjoy!
here is a thread on Gun Dog Forum-lots of info
http://www.gundogforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=22757 |
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Jen
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2440 |
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gharner
Middletown, PA
MH
Posts:513
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| 03/09/2010 10:47 AM |
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I agree with what Gunnar said. Most puppies are gonna turn into good dogs if they've been bred right. With Dax, I chose him because he liked to explore alittle...but when it was all said and done, he came back to me and wanted held haha. I figured that was about what I was looking for...a curiouse puppy, but one that loves to be with me. His brother was very curiouse but didn't want a whole lot to do with me. I could have picked any of them though, and they would have turned out to be good dogs. It'll be easy for you though since your so close to the pups....you'll fall in love haha. Your gonna want more than one though!!! haha |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 03/09/2010 10:57 AM |
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It depends on what you want in a dog. Pet or hunting companion or show dog? Outgoing or laid back? Male, female? Share that with the breeder and let him help you choose a pup, or narrow it down for you, or at least listen to his suggestions.
When I searched for a pup, I emailed a few breeders what I was looking for - an outgoing female - and what I wanted to do with her and what my lifestyle was. I didn't care about markings or coat color or size. I was offered Tessa. I went to take a look, liked her just fine and took her home. Couldn't be happier.
Re early training: short, very short, and very fun obedience "sessions" right off the bat: sit, stay, whoa, down - just don't overdo it. They are like sponges at that age and learn fast but they also do not have the attention span of a mature dog.
Re field training: Even if you don't want to hunt with the dog, Gunnar's NAVHDA suggestion is a good one, I joined our local chapter and I absolutely love it! It seems to be the consensus to let the pup be a pup for the first year or so, tickle its instincts and let it have a ton of fun in the field, expose it to as much as possible, etc. The book I used was Joan Bailey's "How to help gun dogs train themselves" - it covers the first year and I found it very helpful! |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 03/09/2010 11:44 AM |
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| T-Patton - Welcome to the forum! I live right down the road from you in Austin, TX. I am betting I know your breeder very well. Anyway, I can't add much to what the others have already said without knowing more about what you are wanting to do with your dog. As Tessa said, let you breeder know as they can help you pick the right pup as they know their lines and what kinds of dogs they produce. The fact that you will be able to watch the pups grow is a real bonus because you will be able to see their personalities emerge. Keep a log of the pups and don't settle on one right away. Keep an open mind because they change allot in that first 8 weeks. I know when I was picking my last pup I went back and forth with about 3 of the pups as they grew. I wanted a male so at least that narrowed the ones I was looking at a bit. Keep us posted and if you are ever coming to Austin let me know and maybe we can get the dogs together. I have 3 of various ages. My oldest is 6 YO and my youngest right now is 1.5 YO. I am planning a breeding in the summer/fall time period so will be adding a puppy from that breeding. I do conformation, obedience, agility, hunt and field work, flyball and therapy dog work with my dogs. You have picked a wonderful and smart breed. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Phillyo118
UK
MH
Posts:664
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| 03/11/2010 2:23 AM |
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When I went to look at Bentley they had about 6 pups left. I walked into their house and he came bounding over right away, jumping up and pawing at me to play with him. The others came after him. I played with them all and sat down to let them climb over me but he was the one that felt right to me. He also curled up in my lap and had a nap for half an hour...that was me sold right there and then!! I have no regrets at all. I don't think you can really tell what instincts a dog is going to have at 8 weeks. It's like looking at a baby that's 1yr old and saying "Yep, he's going to be a GREAT footballer!!"
Go with what feels right. With regards to training I would suggest one, massively, very super and incredibly important rule.
PATIENCE!! When that runs out, get more....then some more! They're such a joy to be around, he makes me laugh daily, but boy does he test my patience at times. Just remind yourself that he's just a baby. Keep it short and fun like everyone else has suggested, and make sure you keep it consistant. |
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"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog."
"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
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