Gun Dog Forum

CDN_Cocker

Sharon wrote:I say "Hurry up!" which I'm sure makes the neighbors wonder at midnight.

This is what i use as well. Sounds better than take a $#!t! Lol

CDN_Cocker

c I don't like HERE because it sounds too much like HEEL. This confuses me. They are essentially the same command for a retriever. Most top level retriever trainers use here and heel interchangeably. It's not an issue. But u can use any word you want as long as the dog understands what u want it to...

CDN_Cocker

JonBailey wrote:According to my dictionary, RED SETTER and IRISH SETTER are one in the same.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/red-setter?s=t

Well that would be wrong. People don't tend to be overly helpful to folks that balk at them when they try to help. Just some advice.

CDN_Cocker

I'm already aware of how the dictionary defines "sporting dog" and how the AKC defines "Sporting Group". It is all connected with critters with "feathers". If I were to choose a breed for the following: 1. water-hole doves over MOJO decoys 2. open-field doves over MOJO decoys 3. wetland ducks over ...

CDN_Cocker

Sporting dog is a term used in dog shows. I would think the general equivalent would be hunting dog.

CDN_Cocker

DonF wrote:I have a few smaller homer's in my loft but to tell what it is I just need to pick them up. Grab a feral in one hand and a homer in the other and, with my birds, no doubt about which is which.

Truer words were never spoke

CDN_Cocker

I think many folks consider a bird dog to be of the pointing variety. For some reason it doesn't seem to be proper with many of the purist folks to call a spanirl a "bird dog". They're a flusher... a gun dog.... or simply a spaniel. I've always disliked that notion because I've seen my cocker produc...

CDN_Cocker

Yes homers are typically bigger than ferals. Although I do have one family that's smaller like a feral.

CDN_Cocker

Ive had 2 females, a male and a female and I currently have 2 intact males that live in the house. Doesn't matter what's between their legs... or not. 2 females will be fine.

CDN_Cocker

Geeze folks I wish you people would put a state for your location. When someone posts I often wonder where they are located. Perhaps if uncomfortable about posting town at least a state could possibly be included. He's in Alberta. He posted that. I would think a pointing dog would be easier to foll...

CDN_Cocker

Generally it's the owner of the female that looks for a stud. You may have a tough time finding someone that wants to breed to your dog just for you to get a pup. Do you hunt or train with other Brits?

CDN_Cocker

Lol you wouldn't want to know what I pay for my homers....

CDN_Cocker

For $300 I think you'll be quite limited. Mutts sell for more than that. Cost of the pup is only a one time pain. Save up and buy a dog that's going to hunt and be healthy.

CDN_Cocker

Perhaps overcrowding. How big is your loft? Is ventilation good? Healthy birds should stay on the wing for 1 - 1.5 hrs when you let them out of the loft to fly. If you aren't getting that then you should look at vaccinating. I don't like giving them meds but I'd say you're at the point where you got...

CDN_Cocker

I use a neoprene vest but my hunting buddy usually has a small propane heater we use for my cocker. His labs don't need it. We have it for us and Jake. It's not short hair that matters. It's the density of the hair. Single coated silky haired dogs like Brits and spaniels will struggle with temps dur...

CDN_Cocker

My yard is 2 acres so take that for what it's worth but I have a loft in the same yard where I let the dogs out. I also have free range chickens that will pester the dog. Anyone that has a loft is going to have it where their dogs will probably come in contact with it. It's a non issue.

CDN_Cocker

I still exercise mine just as much otherwise I'd want to kill him lol. Exercise changes though - water work is a must as he doesn't handle the heat well (a dog after my own heart lol).

CDN_Cocker

I've had birds gone for a month before returning. Very rare but it happens. Not just racers either. Lost a roller once when I was younger (before my bird dog days) who showed up on the loft roof after 3 weeks.

CDN_Cocker

Don't over think it. Dogs thrive in multiples. Just make sure they each get individual attention too.[img]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201803 ... 126b5d.jpg[/img]

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

CDN_Cocker

They won't come back in the dark. Young birds are dumb sometimes they're gone for days.

CDN_Cocker

I'm not pro- neuter and I think you should wait longer but at least he's not 6 months old. As for recovery he'll be fine literally the day after. They recover very quickly. A month prior to hunting season is absolutely fine.

CDN_Cocker

Actually ended up buying some good rawhide. His breath is much better.

CDN_Cocker

JONOV wrote:Frankly, outside of Labs, most dogs don't naturally want to retrieve a dummy more than a couple times...

Lol I've seen more labs that don't retrieve than any other "gun dog" because of that assumption

CDN_Cocker

Look up sunrise kennels. Fantastic folks and those dogs hunt! http://www.sunriseess.com Gary is very well known in the spaniel world.

CDN_Cocker

I'm in Canada so I'm not sure down there. You tried the ARPU? Do they sell supplies? I know up here the crpu sells supplies.

CDN_Cocker

I think food is critical. Conditioning is important and experience will of course teach the dog to pace better but good food will make a big difference. I run a cocker so he's not covering the same ground as a pointer. But he runs hard for 3-4 hours and aside from a nap in the truck on the way home ...

CDN_Cocker

Why don't u just get a racing basket? I'm assuming this isn't for long term housing?

CDN_Cocker

All I know is a young gun dog generally will be skinny if they're being worked regularly. I used to get flack all the time when mine was young because he was always skinny. I couldn't put weight on him and increasing food only gave him stomach issues. He's 5 years old now and only finally filled out...

CDN_Cocker

Sounds like he wouldn't know if the dog was any good or not. From your description the dog hasn't had proper training to be able to showcase it's worth and at 7 months it's early anyways. If the price was right and the dog isn't straight up neurotic I'd jump on it. Very few people ever look back on ...

CDN_Cocker

I tend to keep wings and have a bunch in the freezer. I do nothing with them. At this point my dog is 5 years old and I'd consider him a fine grouse dog. I'm not concerned about him "getting familiar with the scent" or worried about him feeling feathers in his mouth - he's retrieved many birds in hi...

CDN_Cocker

Or any other ! :wink: Perhaps some should look further than their backyard . (check out the e-collar on this dog...In Scotland!) This little one was cc and ff right here in the blighty ..good god almighty ! Previous rap sheet was notorious 'Bog off' ..when I say 'Bog off' I don't just mean run away...

CDN_Cocker

The vet just says he has lots of tartar and to keep brushing but it doesn't seem to help. He's only 5 years old.

CDN_Cocker

My cocker has always had an issue with tartar build up. Even as a pup he had a tendency to have a lot of build up. Are there any good supplements or treats out there that combat that or specifically bad breath? It is literally unbearable to be in the same room in the evenings with him while he's che...

CDN_Cocker

Just as Don said. I have 2 4x8 sections. Literally just 4x8s with a roof. I plan on racing this year though so I may build something a little nicer. I'd also like 3 sections - cocks, hens and young birds. For perches you can just cut 2x4s about 4-5" long and anchor them to the wall. You want more pe...

CDN_Cocker

Sounds like it's time for the trained retrieve. Retrieving is part of the job - not optional.

CDN_Cocker

If there was a best overall dog it would be the only breed out there. Any well bred gun dog can be moulded to hunt whatever game you want. The key is exposure and repetition. Get the dog you like looking at.

CDN_Cocker

I feed loyall as it was the only thing that didn't upset my guy's stomach. I like it a lot, way better than all the expensive brands I kept trying when he was young. Only thing I find is that his coat never looks phenomenal on it so I add sardines

CDN_Cocker

I enjoy training the pigeons as much as training the dog

CDN_Cocker

I'm going to take a different approach. I own a cocker and love hunting over him. We do it all from grouse and woodcock to ducks, geese and preserve pheasants. He suits me well as he is a Jack of all trades. But your concern comes from going from a pointer to a cocker, chiefly due to dwindling bird ...

CDN_Cocker

They're all basically the same. Bell and Rogers are the giants. Go with one of them.

CDN_Cocker

Great article

CDN_Cocker

Hose em off and leave them outside until dry.

CDN_Cocker

Good advice has been given. Neutering does nothing to stop a dog from marking. As greg alluded to, the correction has to match the severity of the crime. Marking in the house might as well be murder as far as I'm concerned. Not acceptable. You mentioned he marks a lot outside as well. I do not allow...

CDN_Cocker

That's reassuring Bill. Hopefully the same is true for this little guy. Smart little bugger, he's house training like a champ.

CDN_Cocker

Thanks Hal that's what we've been doing I just have a bad tendency of over thinking everything

CDN_Cocker

2 weeks ago I got my wife a chihuahua puppy. We had to put her mini dachshund down last summer due to VDD and it was not very pleasant. This little guy is pretty cute but there's a catch. We got him at 6 weeks - the mother passed away at 3-4 weeks old and the people raised him and his 2 siblings. He...

CDN_Cocker

I would think a close working pointing dog would be easier to hunt with from a wheelchair. It would give you more of an opportunity to get ready for the shot. Not saying a flusher is bad but they are turbo charged

CDN_Cocker

Any dog that you get that driven for birds after 2 years that will just turn it off because you say "no" isn't worth feeding. I maintain its easier to raise them with them.

CDN_Cocker

Your dog should never show being freaked out by collar if you follow a solid conditioning program. You start at 0 stimulus and slowly go up until you see that the dog notices "something". That sign is generally a look at you. It shouldn't jump or jolt or vocalize. You want the least amount of stim n...

CDN_Cocker

Very good point Hal. Looks to be many more pointing dog folks near me than spaniels. As I said I'm not set on a specific breed yet just doing research. Who knows... maybe I'll end up with another spaniel by the end of this all lol.

Search found 1416 matches