Search found 108 matches

by will-kelly
Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:56 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Some time gunshyness
Replies: 18
Views: 6830

Re: Some time gunshyness

"Several hundred birds" shot for a dog and now a shyness shows up? There is something missing in the original post. Is the dog steady to wing and shot? The only time I have ever heard of a dog going sideways after 3+ years and hundreds of birds hunting is when a friends dog was hit by a few pellets ...
by will-kelly
Thu Feb 05, 2015 6:52 am
Forum: Training
Topic: chewing feathers on retrieve
Replies: 18
Views: 9066

Re: chewing feathers on retrieve

Mouth behaviors good or bad are usually an indication of some form of conflict or it could be a genetic issue. Good mouth behaviors are a form of conflict? :? Might be the single most ridiculous statement on the forum. It sounds like the dog has had limited birds shot over him and is still getting ...
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Something odd
Replies: 2
Views: 1680

Re: Something odd

I have read a couple of posts on the 8 to 8 you and seen the Bonelli video as well. I would look at buying one in the event that they make a 20 gauge down the road. There's too many other guns that I like that I could pick up used in the $2800-$3000 range that would scratch my itch. I do think it's ...
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:18 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not as advertised
Replies: 66
Views: 33741

Re: GSP not as advertised

Ms. Cage wrote:You might be surprised how well your 4 and 7 year old will adjust to the problem dog going and the arrival of a new pup. Couple of weeks the pup will be the children's world. JMO
+1
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:15 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: GSP not as advertised
Replies: 66
Views: 33741

Re: GSP not as advertised

20 years ago I had to make a tough decision to have a beagle put down because no matter how much money I spent, how much time I invested for how willing I was to make the situation work, there was something that it happened to the dog prior to my ownership which made him go from sweet and cuddly too...
by will-kelly
Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:12 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt
Replies: 77
Views: 33984

Re: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt

That black dog is an english pointer? Would have never guessed it. The head size and cape are not what I am used to seeing in an english pointer. It is such a classy looking dog. Beautiful animal!
by will-kelly
Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:49 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt
Replies: 77
Views: 33984

Re: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt

Hello Gundogguy, I don't hunt or breed any US dogs anymore. All the dogs I breed and hunt are my own Scottish imports. These dogs have been used for generations as falconry dogs. They have a great balance between drive and cooperation. Trialers here would not like them. They have a natural, stylish...
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 22, 2015 7:23 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Very proud of my GSP first field trail
Replies: 17
Views: 8034

Re: Very proud of my GSP first field trail

It's the horse that's expensive.

Congratulations!
by will-kelly
Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:10 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt
Replies: 77
Views: 33984

Re: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt

Just to set the record straight, I not only allow my dogs to break on flush or shot, but encourage it as we hunt pheasants almost exclusively and the quicker they are to the fall area the higher the percentage of recovered birds. Now if I was hunting coveys, I would change that since I think the do...
by will-kelly
Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:40 am
Forum: Birds & Bird Supplies
Topic: caring pigeons in field
Replies: 5
Views: 5684

Re: caring pigeons in field

I have used Lion Country's Bag for about 5 years. It holds up very well and can handle about a half dozen pigeons comfortably.

Lion Country Supply Bird Bag
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:15 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt
Replies: 77
Views: 33984

Re: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt

I don't do field trials because they are no longer based on hunting. They are more of an obedience drill with birds thrown in as a distraction. I train hunting dogs. I agree with this point about field trials. I was curious more about how polished of a dog you may get the longer you work within the...
by will-kelly
Wed Jan 14, 2015 7:48 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt
Replies: 77
Views: 33984

Re: VIDEO: The Flow of the Hunt

Another great video Brad. Having followed your method for a few years now I think it is one of the method that can really change training. My latest questions are... Have you been able to implement your method on dogs that are already trained with problems? - The reason that I ask is a ton of what y...
by will-kelly
Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:28 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Would you recommend
Replies: 13
Views: 5772

Re: Would you recommend

My experience has been that most people contemplate getting an e-collar because they are not getting the results they desire in training. I am guilty of this with my first collar I purchased 18 years ago. I now know that a nick from the collar properly timed will teach a dog way more than making it ...
by will-kelly
Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:14 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Why is whoa not important
Replies: 54
Views: 30343

Re: Why is whoa not important

BTW, any command to get a dog to stop and still is a whoa command, just using a different word! Call it what you will but there are rules to the english language. Any command to get a dog to stop is a stop command not a whoa command. Even with the exclamation point you are wrong in your definition....
by will-kelly
Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Found my next pup
Replies: 10
Views: 5341

Re: Found my next pup

Did you get one of these pups?

I reached out to Amy and they are all spoken for.
by will-kelly
Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Found my next pup
Replies: 10
Views: 5341

Re: Found my next pup

That pedigree on the male is insane! Fieldways, Bitterroot, Semper Fi. In the vizsla/gundog world this is a world class breeding. Look at all of these Vizsla Club of America "National Dog of The Year" http://vcaweb.org/breed/dog_of_the_year.shtml That will be a big running bird finding machine. Good...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:07 am
Forum: Training
Topic: level of training
Replies: 31
Views: 18050

Re: level of training

I know this won't apply to field trialers, but for hunting purposes does your level of training (i.e. broke to wing and shot) depend on the dog? Are there instances we're accepting a lower level of compliance results in a better hunting dog? I think your asking two separate unrelated questions. A l...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:48 am
Forum: Please Welcome New Members - Introduce Yourself Here!
Topic: Vizsla
Replies: 5
Views: 2371

Re: Vizsla

Make sure a Vizsla is what you want for duck hunting. I think you are getting out of their comfort zone and there are several breeds that would be better suited. I love the Vizsla but duck hunting may not fit them well. +1 I have a 3 year old that is an amazing bird dog. When I take her to the rive...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:34 am
Forum: Training
Topic: when to start on live birds
Replies: 14
Views: 7363

Re: when to start on live birds

You can make it much harder on your self down the line if you rush it. Every dog is different and traditionally I spend the first three months working on socialization. Take the dog everywhere you go that allows it. Bre sure to keep the dog on the lead in these situations. It will help build the con...
by will-kelly
Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:28 am
Forum: Training
Topic: First time trainer
Replies: 5
Views: 3362

Re: First time trainer

+1 Sounds like you're best option would be a lab. The only thing I'll add is that in my experience with a two and a four year old the lab is definitely the better choice. Keep in mind there are thousands of lab breeders and the prices can range. Not ever breeder is reputable. I would make sure you s...
by will-kelly
Tue Dec 16, 2014 10:01 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)
Replies: 25
Views: 13326

Re: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)

Before I switched to a Viszla I had a lab for 14 years. On a hunting scale of one to ten I'd give him an 8. 10 in the water. 7 in the field. 9 in the fetch. He was a dog out of a Westminster line. Not field bred. I worked 85 hours a week running my Restaurant and bar. I only spent weekends training....
by will-kelly
Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:30 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)
Replies: 25
Views: 13326

Re: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)

Always interesting to me when someone asks for help, then when asked for more info, simply drop off the board. Ain't no magic wand for dog training. Jobs, family, plus many other things keep many away from the forum and their hobbies for several days at a time. Shouldn't be a mystery. I know many o...
by will-kelly
Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)
Replies: 25
Views: 13326

Re: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)

Always interesting to me when someone asks for help, then when asked for more info, simply drop off the board. Ain't no magic wand for dog training. Maybe he doesn't train on weekdays because his career doesn't allow it. Not everyone has the time, resources our birds readily available too Run right...
by will-kelly
Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:35 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Upland starter
Replies: 12
Views: 7143

Re: Upland starter

It sounds like you're dog is lacking prey drive. A good hunting dog won't care if they are in corn, grouse woods, hay fields or tumble weeds. Their natural prey drive will carry them into the corn because their genetics tell them to hunt. Some will range far others will stay close but the drive take...
by will-kelly
Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:24 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Training a dog on a wing
Replies: 15
Views: 7040

Re: Training a dog on a wing

It will encourage sight pointing, toss the wing and get the dog out on real wild birds as much as possible. +1 Sight pointing is a bigger problem then most people realize. There are tons of posts on here about busting birds and catching birds. Many of these issues stem from wing on a string. Not ma...
by will-kelly
Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:41 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)
Replies: 25
Views: 13326

Re: Force Fetch Problems (Please Help!!!!)

Another thing is that if she grabs it a little off the ground, she holds her head in that position. I barely pinch her ear and she still hangs her head with the stick in her mouth. This sounds to me like your frustration may have carried over to confusion. If she won't read out and just take the st...
by will-kelly
Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:25 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

It seemed that it was a simple question..."how much should I tip" and turned into a discussion on why you shouldn't tip and employers should pay their people enough that tips were not necessary. Kinda took a negative tone when all he wanted to know was how much. You are spot on with this one! You k...
by will-kelly
Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:03 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Mendota Skid Plate
Replies: 5
Views: 2783

Re: Mendota Skid Plate

I tried it on my Vizsla and returned it. I couldn't get it to fit her right and she seemed more beat up by it than without. First time I had her out I had it to tight and the area under the armpits got very irritated. Next time was to loose and the rear straps seemed to wear the fur off of her sides...
by will-kelly
Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Beeper or no beeper
Replies: 13
Views: 5356

Re: Beeper or no beeper

I personally do not like beepers, I prefer a bell. It allows me to know my dogs range, pattern, and speed. When the bell stops I know he is on point. My hearing isn't the greatest and I had a harder time telling where the beep was coming from. I also thought my dog was a little more jumpy when the ...
by will-kelly
Mon Dec 08, 2014 1:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

Ezzy you can research most questions like How did tipping ever get started? by googling it. There are a ton of resources on the web. Here's a link to wikipedia's take on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratuity It looks like it's been around for quite a while. As for the whole living wage thing, no...
by will-kelly
Mon Dec 08, 2014 1:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Close, medium, big running dogs?
Replies: 27
Views: 15298

Re: Close, medium, big running dogs?

In my eyes a 35 yard dog would be the close worker. 100 medium 200+ Big Runner.

My experience is that once a dog will hunt 200+ yards out they will hunt a mile.
by will-kelly
Fri Dec 05, 2014 8:20 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Is it too Late?
Replies: 6
Views: 2902

Re: Is it too Late?

It may seem obvious but taking away the control point(check cord) is why the dog breaks. I would run the dog in the field on wild birds with the check cord. Work him on planted birds without the check cord. Run him in wild birds with the check cord. Once he's proven his steadiness Let him drag the c...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:33 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: dead young pigeon
Replies: 9
Views: 4927

Re: dead young pigeon

I'd worry about disease until you can prove otherwise.
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:30 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

Thanks again Meller.

A twofer!
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

I have done a little guiding in the past and the greatest gift is to see the smiles and excitement on the faces of the patrons. With out that display of satisfaction I have never guided for those people again. But as far as tipping, I am talking about the act itself and how it changed from a gift t...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 12:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

Why don't you just charge what you believe your service's are worth and don't rely on tipping? Who said guides rely on tipping? I missed that in my post. People that always tip are going to tip regardless of the service. People that only tip for exceptional service will still tip if the service is ...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:45 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

Meller thanks for the chuckle. Please refer to paragraph six again. ezzy333 all of the thoughts are real, original and came from my brain. I was originally going to add the cheapskate with the $2,500 browning that couldn't hit the side of a barn but I didn't want to offend anyone on this board direc...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 8:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 2nd Year Madness?
Replies: 12
Views: 5339

Re: 2nd Year Madness?

In year one I Whoa'd around birds. I experienced the same situation you described. I was lost. I had watched every DVD(I still have most of them) and read most books about how to train a pointer. Out of desperation I sent an email to Ed Bailey thinking that I had ruined my dog. We spoke by phone and...
by will-kelly
Thu Dec 04, 2014 8:33 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Tipping guides
Replies: 62
Views: 25590

Re: Tipping guides

I don't go on guided hunts. if i did I wouldn't tip unless the guide was exceptional. Problem with tip's is service people all seem to believe they are required, that's why they work cheap. Much better to let the outfitter pay his guides more even if you pay it and you will. The guide doesn't do a ...
by will-kelly
Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:47 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Pointing issues
Replies: 38
Views: 19708

Re: Pointing issues

My point is that we too often expect too much too soon. Better a rough diamond than a highly polished stone, to steal an old saw.
80% of all gun dog issues are related to owner expectations.
by will-kelly
Fri Apr 25, 2014 5:46 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Advice on timing of breeding
Replies: 19
Views: 7394

Advice on timing of breeding

Summer's are much easier to whelp and care for the pups in my opinion. You need to get the puppies socialized and outside. This past winter in the North East would have been very hard on puppies. I just ran into the same issue. I went with breeding now. Pups should be out of the house by the end of ...
by will-kelly
Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:34 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Looking for a good trainer
Replies: 12
Views: 4985

Looking for a good trainer

+1 for Mo Lindley.
by will-kelly
Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:32 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Dog creeping on birds?
Replies: 8
Views: 5512

Dog creeping on birds?

Too much pressure on the pointer. I would also venture to guess that you continue to shoot the birds that the dog brakes on. It's not only confusing to the dog but the natural instinct to get the bird in its mouth is being rewarded by the poor behavior. You need to train the pointer to work the way ...
by will-kelly
Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Vizsla Spot
Replies: 10
Views: 4676

Vizsla Spot

Vizsla owners don't need a spot to feel our dogs are special...we get to live it every day.
by will-kelly
Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:10 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Practice Pointing without Live Birds?
Replies: 16
Views: 11070

Practice Pointing without Live Birds?

Yes you can train a dog without birds but you results will be limited and the time will be much longer with a greater chance of failure. With that said nothing will work faster or more effectively than wild birds, followed by good flying pen raised birds. The Dooken dummie probably cost you close to...
by will-kelly
Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:57 am
Forum: Training
Topic: VIDEO, Steady to Wing, Shot, Fall
Replies: 42
Views: 14988

Re: VIDEO, Steady to Wing, Shot, Fall

Once again Brad your system impresses me. At nine months of age what I see with that dog is that it understands what's going on from a hunting stand point. Having switch to the West method in the last four months it's amazing how when I look at the dog like this I can see the natural progression of ...
by will-kelly
Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Vizsla owner questions
Replies: 20
Views: 11900

Re: Vizsla owner questions

Just out of curiosity which well known vizsla lines throw hip displaysia?
by will-kelly
Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:28 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Grouse
Replies: 10
Views: 5376

Re: Grouse

The bird will teach the dog. What makes you think the dog doesn't know the bird is gone? Was the dog wearing a bell? The dog is relying on it's senses. The first of which is his nose. The fresh scent is still there and the dogs instincts are teaching him to look for birds here because there is scent...
by will-kelly
Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:14 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Newbie with question about fostering prey drive
Replies: 9
Views: 4142

Re: Newbie with question about fostering prey drive

I watched and read them all. From PS/PF, Silent Command, Hickox, Delmar Smith, etc. I called some of the authors and asked questions and got great answers. My Vizsla could not handle the pressure of some of those systems and I looked into Mo's book and dvd. Martha did a great job of capturing Mo's m...
by will-kelly
Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:08 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Newbie with question about fostering prey drive
Replies: 9
Views: 4142

Re: Newbie with question about fostering prey drive

There is only one way to increase prey drive. Prey. Whether you decide to start using clipped wing pigeons, chukars or quail the prey drive is something you will develop. The dog is a predator and domestication and breeding change the natural order but the genetics are still there. Curious is what y...