Search found 49 matches

by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:37 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: a techie problem
Replies: 19
Views: 8772

Re: a techie problem

Sometimes change is good. This is NOT one of those times. Site was fine before, more complications for a bunch of older people (who are only getting older) set in their ways doesn’t accomplish much. Sorry, but there are way to any other options out there and zero interest in coming back here to this...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Dec 30, 2018 1:39 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: 40% off and free shipping on pro plan
Replies: 1
Views: 3130

Re: 40% off and free shipping on pro plan

Thanks for the tip. Just bought three bags for our GSP.
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:04 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ideas for exercise during winter
Replies: 15
Views: 4734

Re: Ideas for exercise during winter

Here is a link to a video on how my son taught our GSP to use the treadmill last winter when I posed the same question to him. Quite simple and now the dog looks forward to the exercise, and I get none. HA!! It was actually quite simple.

https://youtu.be/nXRKKAiNE1U
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Nov 19, 2018 7:31 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: 1 year growth of our GSP, Levi. Pup to bird hunting machine
Replies: 3
Views: 2391

1 year growth of our GSP, Levi. Pup to bird hunting machine

Our boys had a plan to do this video the day we brought him home. I’m glad to see they followed through, and only needed a couple reminders to get the Biweekly pictures. His is turning into the bird hunting machine we had hoped he would become. There are plenty of adventures ahead for us. ...
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:03 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Not a good idea
Replies: 7
Views: 2895

Re: Not a good idea

The problem isn’t with either the gun or the target, it’s the idiot using both in a hazardous area. Put all the warning labels on there you want, but those that are stupid, take warning labels as a challenge.
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon May 21, 2018 7:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Re: Quail introduction at 5 months...

Which includes learning how to best develop and train the puppy. You sure do believe YOUR way is the best, don’t you? What part of “my money, my time” can you simply not grasp. You’ve said your peace...time and time again. If you don’t like what someone is doing, is there a constant need to try and...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat May 19, 2018 7:22 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Re: Quail introduction at 5 months...

Well, worse case scenario is that he continues to pounce and retrieve all the birds I hunt, and that should drastically increase my bring home percentage and save me a ton of $ on shotgun shells. All kidding aside, I have no doubts you all mean the best in your replies, and they are appreciated, but...
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon May 14, 2018 12:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Re: Quail introduction at 5 months...

If I were you, and I had a big open piece of land like that, no question I would be raising some pigeons. That is the plan for next winter. Just don’t have a great place to raise them. Looking for a local place where I can trap them though. The GSP won’t see another released bird (pigeon/chucker) t...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat May 12, 2018 10:05 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Re: Quail introduction at 5 months...

gspbrit wrote:That's very interesting. I guess I'm too cheap to pay a trainer to unlearn something! :oops:
I agree, you are to cheap. Passive aggressive replies are a sure way to get the same in return. Nothing nice to say, then move on. Try unlearning your own behavior issues then you will be a happy person.
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat May 12, 2018 7:18 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Re: Quail introduction at 5 months...

Trainer said not to use a check cord, as it has caused dogs to “Blink” birds in his past experience. He wanted to just let the dog be a dog with no human intervention, to include verbal commands. He knew the quail weren’t going to fly well, just wanted to evaluate his drive and natural ability. He n...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat May 12, 2018 5:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Quail introduction at 5 months...
Replies: 27
Views: 7829

Quail introduction at 5 months...

Introduced Levi to some Tennessee Red quail earlier this week. Our trainer, who we will be sending Levi to “Summer Camp” with, wanted to see Levi’s prey drive and natural abilities, so we bought 6 quail, released one at the trainer’s property, then brought the others home to work him a couple more d...
by Mike da Carpenter
Fri May 04, 2018 8:19 pm
Forum: Product Ratings & Reviews
Topic: Bike Tow Leash
Replies: 31
Views: 26424

Re: Bike Tow Leash

I made my own for two dogs on my mountain bike. Ran a piece of PVC across the back an o ring in each end. Connected a bungee cord to the o rings and latches to the ends. Works great! I ride a trail and when I get away from other riders I let them run free. Just thought I would post if anyone is che...
by Mike da Carpenter
Wed May 02, 2018 4:55 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Shed hunting GWP
Replies: 3
Views: 2635

Re: Shed hunting GWP

Start them out as soon as possible and just get them outside in likely locations, and NEVER tell anyone your area once you find a place to “hunt”.

Here is Levi, our GSP, at about 3 months old...
64E09D95-66EA-426C-B953-D56F9DD4C01A.jpeg
by Mike da Carpenter
Wed Apr 18, 2018 5:20 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: gundog sites blocked
Replies: 6
Views: 2734

Re: gundog sites blocked

Just gonna this this out there, but maybe because it has “Gun” in the name (Gundog)? One site I used to frequent for traditional Bowhunters is Tradgang. The same thing happened to me when I would be at a school function and while waiting, I would use their WiFi to browse the web. The only site I cou...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:18 pm
Forum: Birds & Bird Supplies
Topic: Buying Pigeons - Questions
Replies: 32
Views: 20337

Re: Buying Pigeons - Questions

Dumb question...if you buy pigeons locally and you release them during dog trading, wouldn’t they fly back to the place you bought them from?
by Mike da Carpenter
Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:17 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Where does your dog ride?
Replies: 37
Views: 17520

Re: Where does your dog ride?

Right now, he runs around in the back seat of my Silverado, whining and going from window to window putting his head out of them (5 month old GSP). This is all going to change when his new Ruff Tough kennel shows up. I have another Ruff Tough in the house for him, but it is just a PITA going from ho...
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:33 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ecollar buying help/questions...
Replies: 11
Views: 4231

Re: Ecollar buying help/questions...

Very good points AG, quiet being the #1 for both my dogs ears and the birds. I’m really liking the idea of the Alpha (all in one), not to mention that Garmin has always stood behind their products. Customer Service means quite a bit to me. Our GSP is only 5 months now, so I have some time to researc...
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ecollar buying help/questions...
Replies: 11
Views: 4231

Re: Ecollar buying help/questions...

Someone brought the Garmin Alpha to my attention today. Would this be a “Cure all” for what I’m looking for, or is it way overkill for my intentions?
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Apr 08, 2018 6:07 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Ecollar buying help/questions...
Replies: 11
Views: 4231

Ecollar buying help/questions...

Hello all, my GSP, Levi (5 months), is progressing extremely well. In all honesty, I don’t think I could be a happier owner. With that said, he is a totally different animal than my old (gone) Chocolate Lab. I’m now in the market for an Ecollar (just to get him used to wearing it now, and correction...
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: cost of a pup
Replies: 121
Views: 41585

Re: cost of a pup

$1000 to one guy is the same a $5 to another and likewise the other way around. Your money, spend it how you want. Three things you never talk about...Politics, religion and cost of your bird dog...especially to the wife on the last one.
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Mar 27, 2018 9:36 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Picked up a pup today
Replies: 12
Views: 5792

Re: Picked up a pup today

He’s a keeper. Fine looking pup there.

Quick question...how did you resize your pic to make it viewable in the second post?
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Mar 22, 2018 3:46 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!
Replies: 21
Views: 9012

Re: Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!

Sounds like reasonable advice. Looked into it and the quail are to young, and I agree that so is the pup. He’s my first pointer, that’s why I’m seeking advice. It’s a whole different world than Labradors. I’d much rather ask the questions than learn lessons the hard way. I know he is still a puppy, ...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Mar 22, 2018 8:42 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!
Replies: 21
Views: 9012

Re: Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!

This is exactly the type of replies I have come to respect from this site. Thank you all. And No, I do not plan to do any shooting. Just let the birds fly away. I gave up drinking, smoking and chasing women and it’s amazing the amount of money I save to spend on my GSP “vice”. I plan to drop him off...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:10 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!
Replies: 21
Views: 9012

Whoa training after learning sit...@$&#%!!!!!!

I’m sure most have done this once (hopefully not twice). As an 8 week old GSP, our Levi had learned “Sit” by word and also hand signal after a week of training. Well, he is now 4 months (17 weeks) it has been reinforced for two+ months and I’m now in the process of teaching Whoa. He also has learned...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat Mar 17, 2018 7:47 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Drug to Delay a Heat Cycle
Replies: 10
Views: 4787

Re: Drug to Delay a Heat Cycle

Set her up to get married. That removes all interest in extra curricular activities.
by Mike da Carpenter
Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:08 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Please tell me this is “just a phase”...
Replies: 7
Views: 4658

Re: Please tell me this is “just a phase”...

It happened again (excitement peeing) last night...twice. First time, he was walking between my son's legs and as he reached down to rub his sides, he started to squirt. Than again a bit later he came up and stood next to me while I was in my chair. I reached down, and rubbed his side from his rib c...
by Mike da Carpenter
Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:23 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Puppy food help...
Replies: 12
Views: 8377

Re: Puppy food help...

To slow him down, we tried putting river rocks in the food bowl, and that lasted a little over a week till he learned to pick them up and set them outside the bowl, then turn into a vacuum again. I’ll probably stick with PPP puppy, but switch over to the one with the GSP on the front, and with hope,...
by Mike da Carpenter
Fri Mar 09, 2018 4:42 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Puppy food help...
Replies: 12
Views: 8377

Puppy food help...

Hello all, our GSP turns 4 months old tomorrow, and it’s time to buy another bag of food. Currently, I’m feeding him Purina Pro Plan focus with the Golden retriever puppy on the front, and I’m considering switching to the Purina Pro Plan focus with the GSP puppy on on the front. The only difference ...
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:34 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: post hunt effects on dogs
Replies: 16
Views: 8449

Re: post hunt effects on dogs

Excellent post Ray. Makes perfectly good sense, and as for me having a 4 month old GSP, its advice I can use especially since he won’t be used for trials just hunting.
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Mar 05, 2018 5:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Please tell me this is “just a phase”...
Replies: 7
Views: 4658

Re: Please tell me this is “just a phase”...

Thank you for the replies. Levi is a VERY confident dog. Honestly,I don’t believe I could be more pleased. We are feeding him Purina Pro Plan puppy focus (golden retriever puppy on the front), and he gets animal crackers for treats. Also, my wife dropped off this morning’s urine sample and the Vet c...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:38 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Please tell me this is “just a phase”...
Replies: 7
Views: 4658

Please tell me this is “just a phase”...

We have a 15 week old GSP, Levi, that is just getting over a bad UTI (2.5 weeks on a low grade antibiotic now 2 weeks on Clavamox). He was pretty much house trained before the UTI hit, then everything changed. He went from no accidents at 10 weeks to quite a few per day. That is what caused us to ha...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:44 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Introducing older pup to water
Replies: 4
Views: 2726

Re: Introducing older pup to water

To me, that’s NOT an “older pup”. If he has Great drive at retrieving, toss the bumper closer and closer to the water till it is in ankle deep. If he doesn’t go in, walk in yourself, and splash around and have fun walking back and forth in the ankle deep water till he commits. If it’s not his thing,...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:50 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Neuter
Replies: 21
Views: 11164

Re: Neuter

In the contract on the GSP we just picked up (14 weeks now), the “warranty” is voided if we get him neutered before 16 months. I never asked why, but I can speculate that there are certain health benefits to waiting, AND so that a hasty decision to remove him from the gene pool isn’t made. As of rig...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:50 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: cost of a pup
Replies: 121
Views: 41585

Re: cost of a pup

The amount spent on someone else’s dog is irrelevant. If one guy spends $400, and another spends $1500...and they are both completely satisfied, then they got their money’s worth. Also, to point out the obvious, $400 to one guy, might feels like $5000, and $1500 to the other could feels like $20. Up...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:35 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: pup biting
Replies: 65
Views: 22196

Re: pup biting

HA!! Sounds just like my GSP, Levi. He turned 13weeks today, and I can honestly say that as long as you stay consistent with discouraging the behavior, it gets MUCH easier. Went through the same process with my Chocolate Lab years ago. We too did the Yuck” spray, and the only thing it achieved was t...
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Feb 12, 2018 3:51 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Potty training
Replies: 10
Views: 4027

Re: Potty training

When excited, they forget what they went outside to do. Take her for a walk around the yard, or throw a ball a few times to get the juices flowing. Keep them active and they stay regular.
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:52 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Anybody ever used a Slopper Stopper water bowl?
Replies: 4
Views: 2356

Re: Anybody ever used a Slopper Stopper water bowl?

Might be worth looking into by the end of the year, when my GSP is full grown, and I will have just finished a new kitchen for my wife.
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:58 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Book recommendation for GSP
Replies: 5
Views: 2894

Book recommendation for GSP

I know the opinions will vary...that’s a good thing..., but can you all recommend some excellent, in-depth books that I can get the best possible GSP I can? I’ve used Richard Wolters’ book “water dog” to train my old Chocolate Lab, then picked up his “Gun Dog” to get a refresher course. His books ar...
by Mike da Carpenter
Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:17 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: My new hunting buddy
Replies: 4
Views: 2785

Re: My new hunting buddy

Nice looking pup. Best of luck and keep us posted in the progress.
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:56 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Pet Insurance
Replies: 21
Views: 11021

Re: Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance doesn't pay the vet, you do. You then file a claim and the insurance reimburses the stated percentage of the bill(s). I believe there are other plans where the much of your premium goes to discount routine items like vaccines, wellness visits, and tick control. My policy has a $2...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:56 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Raw Feeding
Replies: 189
Views: 107057

Re: Raw Feeding

Just last night, I was cooking up some bison burgers from the one I shot last month, and I figured I would offer up a tiny piece of the raw burger for my 8 week old GSP. He sniffed it, sat down and looked at me. He wanted no part of it. I found that kinda odd, but figured, oh well, maybe next time.
by Mike da Carpenter
Wed Jan 10, 2018 8:40 pm
Forum: Hunting
Topic: Late update on SD hunt.
Replies: 3
Views: 3400

Re: Late update on SD hunt.

Sounds like a great hunt in my eyes. Any pics to go along with the story?
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Jan 08, 2018 1:26 pm
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Purina Pro Plan vs. Taste of the wild
Replies: 25
Views: 18708

Re: Purina Pro Plan vs. Taste of the wild

Am I reading this correctly?... CJ says wait till 6-8 months to transition to “adult” food, and Ezzy says just a couple weeks. Which one is it? I would like to provide the best for my pup.
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:08 am
Forum: Health and Nutrition
Topic: Purina Pro Plan vs. Taste of the wild
Replies: 25
Views: 18708

Re: Purina Pro Plan vs. Taste of the wild

The last dog I had (Chocolate Lab), would loose hair non stop and had “hot spots”, that turned into sores on his skin. Took him to the vet, they recommended changing his food. Did that, and the same issues persisted. Went back to the vet, and they recommended going to see a Doggie Dermatologist (I a...
by Mike da Carpenter
Wed Jan 03, 2018 7:53 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: best overall dog?
Replies: 42
Views: 17887

Re: best overall dog?

I was a lab guy (when I had a lab and was younger and addicted to duck hunting). Now with 2 teenager boys who love to bird hunt and every small game critter they can (coon included), I am a GSP Guy. We pick up the new puppy this Saturday (7 weeks old). I got tired of “playing” dog on our SD bird hun...
by Mike da Carpenter
Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:07 am
Forum: Off Topic Forum
Topic: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Replies: 5
Views: 6009

Re: HAPPY NEW YEAR

It’s going to be a great one too. Just heard from our breeder that we will be picking our GSP up a week earlier than expected. Looking forward to the new addition, although he is gonna wonder about going outside in all this COLD weather to do his business...maybe he’ll learn to get it done quick to ...
by Mike da Carpenter
Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:37 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Breeding question need help
Replies: 149
Views: 57694

Re: Breeding question need help

This is a really interesting discussion. What are the practical net negatives of this breeding? Not many that I see if both parents are fair to good hunters. Both breeds do pretty much the same thing, point and retrieve. The pups can't be registered and I haven't heard anything about the desire to ...
by Mike da Carpenter
Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:36 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New to the website introduction...
Replies: 4
Views: 2585

Re: New to the website introduction...

I don't know if anyone has ever mentioned hunting bison on any of the forums I visit. One of those would keep your freezer full for a long time You sure got that right. 6D7AC3B3-EA4A-423C-B12D-025B38D4815A.jpeg Just one of 2 freezers that look the same. 09DF8F0E-2B76-431D-B8C6-6ABFE195EE5D.jpeg But...
by Mike da Carpenter
Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New to the website introduction...
Replies: 4
Views: 2585

New to the website introduction...

Hello, Mike here. I live in Michigan, but hunt mainly west of the Mississippi for birds and big game, although Norther Michigan will be getting visited a bit more often again. I have 2 boys (14 & 12), and took my oldest to South Dakota with me this year for bison and Pheasants. I have been wanting a...