Bird Dog advice

[jesseb405]

I realize this isn't related to whitetail anything but wasn't sure where to post it.
I recently purchased a Gordon Setter named Barkley. He comes from a good hunting and pointing background as he is already pointing at 11 weeks at a quail wing on a string. I'm wondering if anybody else has worked with pointing breeds before and if so, what should Barkley and I be working on at this early stage. Just playing in the yard with one of his toys he has started to retrieve and bring back to me but not exactly on command. Any help would be great, I think he will be a great hunting partner with good direction.

 

[Rudd]

Re: Bird Dog advise

keep training short but daily. Big fan of the Setters. Put your time in when they are young and that dog will amaze you for many years. It sucks working in the summer heat with a long haired dog but once fall rolls around your both "ready to go". Post up some pics.

 

[180class]

Re: Bird Dog advise

I've raised and trained shorthairs for many years. The best advise I can give you is to keep it fun for the dog and also short. A pup at 11 weeks has a very short attention span. Once he looses interest, don't push it. When I work with new pups, up to about a year, I mainly work on obedience and commands like whoa, come and heel. The pointing will come natural to them.

 

[Ghost]

Re: Bird Dog advise

Ditto above...keep it fun and mainly work on obedience.

Come, whoa, heel and fetch.

A little training every day now, will be a lot better than a lot of training later...

Miss my Shorthairs...

 

[homerj]

Re: Bird Dog advise

You are "Justlucky"! I owned a Gordon for 11 1/2 years simply an awsome breed that not alot of people know about.
PM me I'd love to talk Gordon's with you. There's way too much just to post on here.

 

[jimfaststeel]

Re: Bird Dog advise

Everyone here is right, keep it short. Also you can't praise your dog enough when he or she does good and always end the session on a positive note. They are so eager to learn at this stage they will be waiting at the kennel door for that day's training.

 

[JNRBRONC]

Re: Bird Dog advise

Agree with everything said so far, keep it short, simple and fun. Work on the basics.

If something in training isn't going right, step back and evaluate it from the dog's perspective. Odds are you aren't presenting it in a fashion he can understand. Take a different approach.