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Subject: How to start her hunting?

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w00t_Masta User is Offline

Posts:13

09/05/2008 9:46 PM
My GSP is 13 months and hasn't been hunting. I don't know people w/other dogs and she hasn't had a bird in her mouth. I want to train her on live birds so I can teach her to hold point on scent. And so she doesn't get scarred if a bird is kicking around in her mouth. Unfortunately the game bird place in my area is closed during the winter. So I can't get any live birds, what should I do to get her hunting, and so I don't accidentally ruin/scare her from hunting. Also she's amazing at fetching a tennis ball....but won't fetch anything else...she will scour the backyard until she finds a ball or i bring one out. What should I do to get her retrieving other items? thanks, w00t

jagermeister User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:106

09/08/2008 9:58 AM
I went to gundogsupply.com and got a dokken retrieve dummy that looks like a grouse. they make all kinds of birdlike retrieve dummies which include, ducks, geese, pheasant, chukkar, grouse, quail, etc. I got the liquid grouse scent as well which I injected into the dummy to give it the correct bird smell. You can buy the appropriate scent for which ever dummy you choose. With these scented dummies you can set them out in a field for the dog to find and you can use it to teach retreive as well. You can also buy a retreive dummy with a real pheasant hide and feathers wrapped around it and you can also buy grouse or pheasant wings taken from real birds to help with scent training and teaching pointing. On EBAY you can also find pheasant hides with feathers as well as various wings from game birds. I also have a pheasant hide with feathers which I tied to a canvas retreive dummy and my pup loves to rip it apart, it is his favorite toy but since he just goes crazy over it and tears it to shreds, I only give it to him to play with every once in a while just to make sure his prey drive is still strong.

jagermeister User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:106

09/08/2008 10:03 AM
The next step I took was to get a pigeon cage/trap so I can use pigeons for training as well. I can buy quail or other game birds but have no where to raise or keep them, I live in an apartment. When my pup was 4 months old I took him to a trainer for hunting to do a prey drive test and the trainer, who lived on a farm, also used pigeons for his training and for most people they should be easy to get since the varmits are everywhere.

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4452

09/08/2008 10:10 AM
You can start by finding a training program that you think fits the way you want to train and follow it. You can also start to teach the hold command and work on from there as far as you'd like to go but I prefer to force fetch all our dogs. Now the timing is poor to find people training, hunting season is on. You may be able to find birds at a game preserve, even if it's dead. Keep her searching for retrieves,don't worry about buying scents, anything you throw has enough scent on it for her to find and I wonder if they really do smell like the real thing???? Buying some wings at a sporting store would help if all else fails but I have had the darndest time trying to keep those things on the dummies. She may point the wings if you hide them but don't be disappointed if she doesn't. You need to be working on hunting commands in open fields at this time. Turn,here,whoa voice,whistle and/or hand signals. You can contact NAVHDA and look up a few chapters by you and get in touch with some hunters. Joining may help with that. Glad to hear more and more people caring about the breeds hunting side. Have fun. Francine

"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

Almost Heaven GSP User is Offline

Springfield, WV

MH
Posts:731

09/08/2008 11:25 PM
w00t, With where you are located, I would suggest that if at all possible, take her for long walks in areas with lots of wild birds for a good start. Don't say anything at all, no commands, just let her find and bump some birds to see what her natural inclinations are and then decide what training you may or may not need. There is a fellow down in Pocatello that you may be interested in getting in touch with and seeing if he would have some time to take a novice out. PM me if you would like to know more.

Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail. Bruce Shaffer Almost Heaven GSP's

Coastie87

Posts:7

10/09/2008 3:03 AM
I live out in California and its really hard to find a place with birds for training. What I did to get Remy started was scent and a dummy bird. I don't know if your local outdoors shop sells it but luckily enough mine did, never hurts to check.

Coastie87

Posts:7

10/09/2008 3:06 AM
and if your outdoors shop don't have it. Heres the link to it on Gundogsupply. http://www.gundogsupply.com/-1304-2-.html

Trey

SW Iowa

MH
Posts:516

10/09/2008 5:13 AM
Contact your closests navhda chapeter (navhda.org), and see if there are any members near you, chances are there will be. Most will gladly give you a hand with your dog, point you in the right direction to find some birds to train with or whatever help you are looking for. If that fails, try the akc webpage for local gs clubs, same deal they will be able to point you towards some members that live close to you.

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