Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: crow killer on February 06, 2012, 07:53:43 PM

Title: Bad or needs work?
Post by: crow killer on February 06, 2012, 07:53:43 PM: So I got a 15 week old puppy, and for a training bird we it a ringneck. So I through the duck for her say her name and she goes over to it and she starts licking it and then walks away. Then I say " Lucy come" she comes I say back and she goes back to it and retrieves it. What's the deal? Do they usually do that :dunno:
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: dreamunelk on February 06, 2012, 08:00:42 PM: Giver her time!
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: Houndhunter on February 06, 2012, 08:05:07 PM: I've never dealt with bird dogs, but 15 weeks is young. It wasn't till 4-5 months that I got my hound to not be afraid of coons. Some dogs are naturals, but most need alot of training and right now at that age is crucial to give them as much training as you can
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: crow killer on February 06, 2012, 08:08:17 PM: Ya well a couPle weeks ago she retrieved a pin for me in the front yard I was impressed but this is my first bird dog to so I'm going to work with her alot
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: SpringerFan on February 06, 2012, 08:12:57 PM: Way too early for birds. Let her be a puppy. Right now you need to work on the very basics. No. No jumping up. No biting. Come.

Lots of praise when done well. If you really think you need to do a retrieving drill, ony one toos with something other than a bird (small paint roller, tennis ball) and in a very constrained area. Like a hallway. No more than once a week, one time.

Puppies get bored andloose interest quickly. Best way to ruin is to over train. Small training intervals of 5 to 10 minutes.

Maybe around 6 months you could introduce a pigeon. Way too ealry for ducks.

Good luck!!
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: Hornseeker on February 08, 2012, 02:01:46 PM: You've got LOTS of time!! Nothing out of the ordinary for a 15 week old pup.
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: JJD on February 08, 2012, 03:18:36 PM: I train retrievers only.
I intro my 15 week old pups to pigeons, but thats all it is, an intro.
wing clipped pigeon and pup gets to chase it around. no retrieve expected just instill the chase.
If pup does bring it to me I praise like a mad man.
Don't let the pup maul the bird as that teaches a bad habit as well. Keep the pup on a lead so you can control the event.

IMHO very little early training should be done off lead.
Title: Re: Bad or needs work?
Post by: eggster on February 12, 2012, 10:47:15 AM: Mikey, read post #6, especially the part about mauling birds. Talk to aunt erika, she seems to know what she was doing wih gunner and hos. Jeremy did good to with his dog. Youve got lots of people thattl help you. Be persistant and keep at it.