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Subject: Hunting Instincts

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NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:120

10/18/2012 2:01 PM
Okay, Nixie is 6 months now and I was wondering about her hunting instincts. She shows interest in squirrels and some flying insects but not so much in birds anymore. She's rather clumsy (not unlike her owner!) and doesn't seem to be getting anything. She does love to carry things in her mouth though. Is this "normal" for her age? I understand she's still a pup so am I expecting more than I should be from her?

kpwlee

Raleigh, NC

MH
Posts:998

10/18/2012 5:10 PM
6 mos is a silly, goofy, clumsy stage I wouldn't worry

It's Bugsy's world... http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/

DuckFever

Central Oregon

MH
Posts:321

10/18/2012 5:55 PM
Each dog is different. Some are birdy at 8 weeks, others take months. Did you get her from a breeder specializing in hunting?

The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work.

jrandash

Posts:19

10/19/2012 9:57 AM
when a have a pup that seems nto to be intestered i will get a duck a d tap its wing or pull flight feathers and let it go in a small pound the chase will be on you will have lots of interest. you need a pond with not to much vegetation.

NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:120

10/19/2012 10:31 AM
Thanks for the input! Yes, the breeder specializes in upland and waterfoul. They're avid hunters themselves so they acquaint the pups to water, birds, etc until they find homes. She was really interested in birds when I got her at 8 weeks it just seems she's losing that interest. But, I'm not actively encouraging it either. I'm not a hunter myself but I'd like her to grow into her potential as a hunting dog. So I'm headed to my Grandfather's large ranch this weekend to let her have fun and introduce her to gunfire. We'll see what happens!

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7851

10/19/2012 2:55 PM
So if you have access to homing pigeons. Hold the wings so they don't flop and let her sniff the rear of the bird. Then release it and let her chase it. Do that several times and she will get excited. Once she is excited about the birds, have someone fire a starter pistol from a good ways away when you release the bird and let her chase. If you get no reaction have your gunner move closer and closer. If you get a reaction have the gunner move back some. She will get to where she pays no attention to the gun and associates it to the birds. My dogs all go nuts in a good way when they think they hear gun shots. If you don't have pigeons you might want to buy some to use at the ranch. You won't get them back, but they are fairly cheap. The reason I suggest pigeons is they are much stronger flyers usually than pen raised quail and they are cheaper. If your dog does well you can even plant a few pigeons for her and lead her down wind of them and she will pick up the scent and likely point. Be careful when you intro the gun and make sure she is totally engaged with the bird and the gunner is a distance from her the when you first start shooting it. Have fun. I love to see the hunting instinct in these dogs awakened.

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

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4452

10/19/2012 3:27 PM
What kind of birds did the breeder introduce her to and what kind of interest did she show? I don't know what hunt instincts you expect from a pup that you are not encouraging to hunt. What birds is she loosing interest in? by chance, would they be song birds? Just take her hunting. At 6 months she old enough for this season.

"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

Max2

Oneonta NY

MH
Posts:1111

10/21/2012 5:45 AM
Just a thought . The fact that you make mention that your not a hunter perhaps just get her out & forget the gun. People have these dogs for all sorts of reasons & I think that is fine . I have often wondered though these dogs being primarily bred to hunt that if you open them up to hunting you may be opening "pandora's box" ( a dog that wants to hunt everytime you get them out) Please I hope I don't offend anyone as it is not my intention. I have a genuine love of this breed ! What ever they do as long as your not mean to them ! I am cool with it !

Chris

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7851

10/21/2012 9:31 AM
I have 4 shorthairs, 1 has never been hunted. The other 3 I have worked on birds and shot over. I compete in hunt tests, but do not hunt. My two youngest were started on birds as babies and my third one I didn't introduce to birds until she was 6 years old. I don't really think it makes much difference in them whether you intro them to the hunting game or not. If the instinct is there it comes out. Mine seem to know the difference between a hike and a hunt. That said they still hunt on a hike, but I think it is as much about their instincts as it is their training.when I take mine into the field they are obviously working the field, but when we are hiking they are not working so much as just having fun. I suspect some of that is influenced by the fact that I have a gun when we are working the field and a walking stick when I hike.

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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