Jen -

Now a take a deep breath.  You are doing a great job with your pup.  Like all of us you are learning and GSPs will push the envelop on that learning curve.  Don't worry about the bird stuff now if the weather is bad.  Same with agility.  There is plenty of work you can do over the winter months with obedience that will pay off in both the field and agility when the weather gets better and people are back from hunting. 

I absolutely love your desire and dedication to your dog and doing all kinds of things with your dog.  Keep up the good work.  Just remember it needs to be fun for the both of you, and you have plenty of time to do it all. Keep us posted on your progress.

I guess I would only ask the question, what level skills are you training in obedience? The two I did competative obedience with (one cdx (trained to ut, but started getting too busy on the bird end) and one cd), both got very bored with the novice work, once I added in open excercises things got better. The younger one (who is 10 now!) always loved anywork, the older would get very bored, but once the 'funner' stuff was introduced he loved it also. All three times we were in the ring for our cdx the judge didn't get the drop command off until he was almost at my feet because they were so shocked he took off as fast as he did (I am sure you are familiar with the head down dragging pace a lot of ob dogs move at). Also most would be laughing when we left the ring (now we got a placement everytime so I new it wasn't horrible) I finally asked the last one what he was laughing at. He said it was a joy to see such a happy dog in the ring. As to the age question, my first dog earned his cd at 13 months, took four shows, he was very bored in the third and layed on the long sit. I remember my instructors face on the night of our first class when she said he should be ready to show at two, and I informed her I had him entered in a four day show the next month! But it is a dog thing, just like people some can take early training and some will benefit from waiting.
The is Jake, he is 13 now, hard to believe.
Pixie has a point also, a lot of problems I work with in other's field dogs come from dogs that are babied a lot at home, then the owner feels they have the right to correct the dog in training, the dog turns off, as the dont see where this person they rule over at home (and most owners don't feel they do, but dog sleeps on bed, pushed owner to one corner, bolts out door, sits on their lap). If you start to gradually put him in his place at home, you might see a dog more willing to work with you and for you at the training facility.

Yes, I definitely need to change the pecking order at home. That will help.

I work with a trainer who trains all levels at the same time. For example my lessons may consist of heeling, recalls, fetch work, directed jumping, go outs, stands,etc. Everything is broken down. For example the recall: the stay/the come/the front/ the finish are all separate components. Everything is proofed at each step and we do not move forward until he masters each step. Working on the open/utility foundations makes for a more exciting fun lesson. She is great trainer who demands focus and perfection at each step. We have a great time with her. In my dog club, I am in a competition proofing class right now. We all work at our own levels while proofing each other. That's a fun class too. Weird hats, toys thrown, etc- I am bringing a wheelchair to class next week as you never know what will happen in the ring!

I ran Max in our clubs Show N' Go yesterday. 2 pre-novice/novice runs and a rally run. He did great. I am working on more playing, more fun outside the house. He had beautiful focus on the stays even while the open dog was retrieving behind him 5' away. Never took his eyes off me. I always switched my stays. While others did the long sit, I did the down and vice versa.

I am taking all your advice and working on a plan: stricter at home, more fun outside the home!