NEW GSP!

[s&ndakota]

I have a 9 week old German Shorthair Pointer and just want to know where I should begin with my bird training. I love to hunt pheasants and want to make sure that I try and do everything at the right time. Is it too soon to start training my pup?

[Rustygunskennel]

Dakota,

I believe it's never to early to start some kind of training with a new pup, just understand that the training needs to suit the age of the dog and it's abilities. e.g. right now if you take some time to spread some of your pups food around prior to actually feeding then you're already teaching him to hunt around and search. when you're out side wear your whistle and every time you call for the pup add a whistle tweet, thus teaching it to respond to a whistle. other things like using metal pans when feeding or a cap gun while walks to start associating noise with good things and possibly reducing the chance of gun shyness. Anytime the pup stops to investigate a new smell even if it a grasshopper that's grabbed their attention tell them "whoa" and encourage them to be steady. The biggest advice I can give is DON'T PUSH them let them be a pup, the things I've outlined are easy and painless but start setting the stage for further training later on. We don't start anything formal until the pup is about 5-6 months old and then it depends on the pups ability and willingness to train as to how involved we get. The key to any training for any pup at any age is try and keep it as fun and productive as possible and always end it on a good note. Never get upset if the pup does something wrong and put the dog away for the day. Instead back up to an easy task the dog knows. reinforce it ans leave training praising the pup for their successes not their failures.

There is a lot of knowledge here Knine is full of wisdom and I'm sure she'll add her comments as well.

Scott
RGK

[Herr Munsterlender]

I belive you should start as early as you can, the first i learn the dog is the stop, what ever fly, what ever throes over the dog i should be able to stop the dog, this is also a life savier for the dog. Start this training by getting the dog close to u and rise your hand and say "stay" when the dog sit, give it some treat, some training when the dog is young between 8 weeks and 40 weeks will the dog not die of, be carfully not to use any hard words when it comes to contact with birds. "some" traing is about 5-10 min/each time. I never use a coller on my dogs this is also a good way to learn the dog to have attencen on you and nothing else, a pup will do this naturaly beacuse you are the leader.
The NO is also importent to learn early, this i teach directly...after a week after the pup comes home. I dont use any electrical help with a coller and present the NO in the same way that a older dog teach a pup what is wrong or right. If the NO is correctly learned will this give u an easy task to learn the rest.

[kckennel]

Dakota,

I believe it's never to early to start some kind of training with a new pup, just understand that the training needs to suit the age of the dog and it's abilities. e.g. right now if you take some time to spread some of your pups food around prior to actually feeding then you're already teaching him to hunt around and search. when you're out side wear your whistle and every time you call for the pup add a whistle tweet, thus teaching it to respond to a whistle. other things like using metal pans when feeding or a cap gun while walks to start associating noise with good things and possibly reducing the chance of gun shyness. Anytime the pup stops to investigate a new smell even if it a grasshopper that's grabbed their attention tell them "whoa" and encourage them to be steady. The biggest advice I can give is DON'T PUSH them let them be a pup, the things I've outlined are easy and painless but start setting the stage for further training later on. We don't start anything formal until the pup is about 5-6 months old and then it depends on the pups ability and willingness to train as to how involved we get. The key to any training for any pup at any age is try and keep it as fun and productive as possible and always end it on a good note. Never get upset if the pup does something wrong and put the dog away for the day. Instead back up to an easy task the dog knows. reinforce it ans leave training praising the pup for their successes not their failures.

There is a lot of knowledge here Knine is full of wisdom and I'm sure she'll add her comments as well.

Scott
RGK

I would not make banging noises while the pup is eating or fire a cap gun while walking, the best way to avoid gun shyness is through prey drive on birds. You could start by banging a couple of 2x4's together from a distance when the pup is chasing a bird and then progressively get closer as long as he is comfortable with the noise, then change over to a cap gun and again shoot far away when the pup is chasing a bird and again move closer if the dog's reaction is not noticing the sound. Most people want to take short cuts here and try to fire a gun around feeding or bang things while its eating which may work or backfire on you and create a problem. I would highly recommend only making loud banging noises while the pup is sight chasing a bird after it is flushed and only during that time. Even old experienced dogs don't react well to unanticipated gunfire sometimes.

Steve
KCK

[UltimateUpland]

Never too early to start some kind of training, but make sure it is fun for the pup and you too. Get some pheasant wings and start reinforcing his pointing instincts. Work on basic training commands. Do everything in short sessions and make sure it's fun for the pup.

One of our members has a pretty cool video out for basic Pointer training, I think it's really informative, a quick watch and explains a few of the steps to get the most out of your pup. I think you can find it on Amazon, the title is "Training For... Silent Hunting ...No Whistles, No Whoas!" by Mason Creek Kennel

[Bestgundogs]

Go buy the best dvd on the market for puppy development it's called First Steps by Ben Garcia I put over 20 puppies through this training this last summer and everyone turned out great. It's a step by step system you can't mess up!

Jared

[gundogsrus]

I have turned many gun shy dogs around and I have to respecfully disagree with the post that suggests you introduce your noises (clapper boards, cap gun etc..) while the pup is chasing on birds.
If the pup is really not noise broke and has anxieties already about loud sounds, the pup will relate that loud sound to the bird causing the dog to be bird shy and and guaranteed will be blinking at the scent of a bird once you start your bird work and now you have a whole new set of problems.
I had a one of my own pups so gun shy, she would velcro to my leg at the sound of a kids air gun...just the "poof" of the air coming out the end of the barrell at 50 yds would make her come running back to me.
You have to aclamate the pup to the sounds as other folks have suggested with clapper boards, cap guns etc...starting from a good distance while the pup is doing something they truly enjoy that does not involve birds. (I always start at at least 100 yds and slowly work my way in, remember you can always work in, it is very tough to work back if you scared the pup by starting too close) If the pup loves to retrieve balls, frisbees etc. this is perfect. (I try not use bumpers as I use bumpers in my training and do not want the pup to become bumper shy) if the pup is an absolute chow hound then "YES" do it at dinner time (if the pup is not a chow hound then "No" it will not work here). If you have other dogs take them out to an open field and just let them run and play, once they are out 100 yds and having a great time just being free then start with your noise accalmation. Again starting softly and gradually incrrease the noise level...If there is any indication of anxiety "STOP"
One of my other techniques is to take the pup out the sporting clay range (NO, YOU DO NOT WALK UP TO THE STATION AND TIE YOUR DOG TO THE POST AND START BANGING AWAY) You want to park as far away from the range as possible, but close enough to hear the shooters (at my club I can park 1/4 mile away) Let the pup out and start playing with him/her... retrieving balls, frisbees etc... or just wrestling around whatever it takes to keep the pup occupied and having fun to keep his/her mind off the noise. Then slowly work in closer and closer. At first sign of any anxiety back off and come back another day!
I hope this helps.