Search found 13 matches

by tops911
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Alpha 300
Replies: 15
Views: 3263

Re: Alpha 300

I use vibrate most of the time now. I train dogs to the whistle and my first dog went deaf and I had no way to communicate with her. So now all dogs get both whistle and vibrate trined. Equal number of vibrates to correspond with the whistle blasts, 4 whistle/ 4 vibrate means come all the way in; 2 ...
by tops911
Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:51 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Alpha 300
Replies: 15
Views: 3263

Re: Alpha 300

I use vibrate the same as a whistle. I started doing that when my old dog got hard of hearing. She struggled hearing the whistle. I would have to nick her to get her attention, I still feel bad for doing that, she used to look at me like "what did I do wrong". As a person who wears hearing aids I kn...
by tops911
Sat Aug 28, 2021 8:28 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Floppy Head Retrieving Dummy
Replies: 4
Views: 2066

Re: Floppy Head Retrieving Dummy

I use the Dokkens (dead fowl as well as their foam bumpers) and all the dogs prefer them over any other bumper/ retrieving object. I think it helps with a correct hold.The Dokken foam bumpers have a thin throwing rope which I think discourages carrying by the rope by young pups. I also put the throw...
by tops911
Sun Aug 08, 2021 4:40 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: THE 225 MILE U TURN
Replies: 3
Views: 3428

Re: THE 225 MILE U TURN

Nice story. As a side note, I grew up in Wray (still have family there) and hunted pheasants there a lot. I last hunted there about 4 years ago, a family hunt with all 4 Drafts in the family. Good times.
by tops911
Tue May 25, 2021 6:52 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Snake avoidance/ Vaccine
Replies: 11
Views: 4549

Re: Snake avoidance/ Vaccine

The Mojave Rattlesnake venom is a neurotoxin (effecting the nervous system) where all the other rattlesnakes are a hemotoxin (effecting blood). That is one reason I figured that the vaccine would be worth using since Timber rattlesnakes and Prairie rattlesnakes are both hemotoxin venom. I was going ...
by tops911
Sun May 23, 2021 7:58 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Snake avoidance/ Vaccine
Replies: 11
Views: 4549

Re: Snake avoidance/ Vaccine

I have all my dogs complete snake avoidance training and now that I live in rattlesnake country they get the vaccine as well. I have a lot of faith in the avoidance training, it keeps my dogs away from all snakes, my old dog would even avoid shed snake skins. I was told by a Vet that the vaccine is ...
by tops911
Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:21 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?
Replies: 10
Views: 3211

Re: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?

With the pup being 11 weeks it's just a matter of taking your time. The pup will come around, I let them carry around anything they pick up (within reason) at that age. I do think exposure to live game at an early age real wakes up these dogs instincts. It won't be long and the pup will be a retriev...
by tops911
Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?
Replies: 10
Views: 3211

Re: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?

How old is the pup? On my newest pup I changed how I wanted the pup to "come". I trained this pup from the beginning to sit in front of me. This also is where she will sit to deliver for retrieve. I used taught my other 2 DDs to deliver at a heel, but changed to in front of me with this pup. I like ...
by tops911
Tue Apr 13, 2021 7:40 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?
Replies: 10
Views: 3211

Re: Putting scent on balls to play fetch?

Congrats on the DD pup; I'm on my 3 DD and just finished my newest pups VJP last weekend. I dont think you need to add any scent to a tennis ball, it'll smell like you after the first time you hold it. I tried scent on my first Dokken pheasant dummy and realized it was a waste of time those dogs can...
by tops911
Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:52 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Alfa 200i
Replies: 3
Views: 2160

Re: Alfa 200i

I have an Alpha 100 and here's how I use it. I don't use tone. I use the momentary and vibrate. I also trained my dogs to whistle commands. 2 blasts means "look at me" (I may be changing directions or want to direct the dog) and 4 blasts means to come all the way in and heel. After having a dog go d...
by tops911
Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:51 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Anyone using the newest Garmin?
Replies: 7
Views: 3728

Re: Anyone using the newest Garmin?

I really wanted the Alpha 200 but not bing OnX compatible made it undesirable. I used the Alpha 100 with the OnX chip in it. I have OnX on my phone but too many places in Montana don't have cell coverage, the Alpha 200 with the in reach built in sounded ideal. I know several guys that would have bou...
by tops911
Tue Jan 29, 2019 8:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Black Bear encounters when training?
Replies: 20
Views: 6149

Re: Black Bear encounters when training?

where I live and hunt I've bumped a black bear while grouse hunting. That bear was moving trying to get away. We did have a run in with a mountain lion last year while scouting for grouse, it ended well for the dog. One area I was hunting we ran into a lot of grouse but also a lot of grizzly sign, s...
by tops911
Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:27 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: recall to whistle versus e-collar tone recall
Replies: 31
Views: 13143

Re: recall to whistle versus e-collar tone recall

I started training my dogs to recall with vibrate after having a dog loose it's hearing. I had her trained to the whistle and she was great, but after her loss of hearing I could not recall her without nicking her, which made me feel horrible when she would look at me wondering what she did wrong. j...