JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/15/2010 2:26 PM |
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We took Gunner up to the place where we bought him from to get started on working to get him bird trained.
The first thing they did was see what he would do with a live pigeon. Wings were broke (yuck) and the pigeon was tossed a few yards away. The first time he ran after the pigeon and would pick it up, but kept dropping it. Eventually he got a good hold on the bird and retrieved to hand. Second bird, he knew what to do, went up got him out from under the quad and retrieved to hang again! He had the most gentle mouth in both picking up the bird and carrying. He pointed to bird a few times, too. It was great and we were so impressed!
We also introduced him to the gun this weekend and he didn't care at all! So our next step is to work on whoa and retrieving for the next few months and get going from there!
We got to see several dogs being trained ranging from, a french pointer ( i know it's some long B name) , a black lab, springers, and even Gunner's Dad, Jack!
Gunner also got to play with his sister Abby before we left when we went up to see the kennels and other puppies. |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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boognish
Idaho
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Posts:105
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| 08/16/2010 10:03 AM |
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| Sounds like fun! How old is he? |
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/16/2010 10:05 AM |
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17 weeks today.
The pigeon retrieving was just to see if he had an interest in the birds (which i knew he did) and if he would retrieve to hand (which i wasn't sure) |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 08/16/2010 12:59 PM |
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They broke the wings?
Great news on the retrieving.
Start on a field search (no birds) to check nose,range and cooperation?This is the age to begin on working as a team.
Visual attraction means very little,you can add birds when you can get strong flyers so it won't be likely he will catch them.
I would hold off on the retrieving and serious whoa work until his search and pointing develops. This is your first time training a bird dog and these 2 aspects of training could cause issues.
Any pictures? |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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boognish
Idaho
MH
Posts:105
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| 08/16/2010 2:31 PM |
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Posted By pixie bee on 08/16/2010 12:59 PM
They broke the wings?
I thought that was a little weird too; I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/17/2010 4:22 AM |
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I think it was just so he'd be able to retrieve the bird. I don't think this is his normal training procedure, though i don't know. Everyone does things different, I guess. But, I do have confidence in the instruction given, as I saw dogs he is training and some of his own work this weekend..
Pixie, yeah the birds won't be introduced again for awhile. Becoming a team is the utmost importance and we really do need to get him out more often then we are. He did great up the mountains and would stick fairly close and pointed quite a few times on the walks he took with my b/f.
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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Rob Hopkins
New England
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Posts:89
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| 08/17/2010 6:28 AM |
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I believe you may have seen a Braque De Bourbonais being trained (the french pointer).
Rob |
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May all your dog's points be productive....... |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 08/17/2010 6:36 AM |
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| If he's using his nose to search and point scent(no visual at all) then you're doing great. This is a great age for boldness,independence and developing range - you're not really training - you're exposing and it's a lot of fun. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 08/17/2010 6:38 AM |
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Certainly trainers all have their own little slants on techniques, but I have never heard of breaking a pigeon's wings. Normally if one is concerned with a wing slapping a puppy you would wrap the wings so not to cause permanent harm.
Yes, you want to be a team, but without more bird work, hard flying lightly dizzied or loosely released hard flying quail, making sure the dog has tons of desire, some independence and boldness in his search, and hard pointing, putting too much obedience can hurt the dog's development in the above. Many new owners believe that putting obedience is most important. However, without the desire, the independence to take you to birds, to hunt hard, obedience is useless. A balance of the two is needed.
Not that you asked, but I would tell you to get the dog nuts about birds, hunting, and pointing, before much whoa is put on the dog. |
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/17/2010 6:55 AM |
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Rob- That's it! What a gorgeous dog that was.
As for the pigeons, again who knows... to each their own.
I appreciate all the tips and we will be making this experience fun for the dog and us. We want him to love hunting, not do it because we said so. He will get both the work and the play  |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 08/17/2010 10:31 AM |
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We want him to love hunting, not do it because we said so.
Don't worry about this - no dog will hunt unless they want to!
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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zodiakgsps
NW PA
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Posts:1059
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| 08/17/2010 2:07 PM |
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I always bind the pigeons wings as to not harm the bird also, never saw a trainer break them. (and I know a lot of pros)
Sounds like your pup has a good start, now the fun begins!! I am also in the park of lots of birds.....I like my pup exposed to them as often as possible, but with no pressure initially (no whoa, holding back) to build up that drive. Get some pics next time & good luck & have fun with your pup!! |
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/17/2010 4:44 PM |
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Well, the bird didn't suffer too long... was shot shortly there after....
Here's a few pictures from our mountain weekend, none of him and the bird though. Don't know why I didn't take any camera was in my pocket!
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
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| 08/18/2010 4:50 AM |
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I love his face.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:756
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| 08/18/2010 6:28 AM |
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| Aw thanks, me too!! He's not very photogenic so it's hard to get a picture where he doesn't look goofy. I like the blob of liver on the left side of his face making him asymmetrical - sorta looks like a cigar hanging out of his mouth! |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 08/18/2010 6:36 AM |
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| He's a handsome boy! |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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