Gun Dog Forum

Higgins

Hello Marc, Glad my method and the "Magic Brushpile" is working out for you. Remember, stay away from obedience including any "whoa" command. He is doing well now because he sees that cooperation works and helps him be successful (getting the bird in his mouth). He is learning to trust you to help h...

Higgins

Something I have found that works with most dogs is to turn around and walk away if they begin flagging. Only approach when they are still. Don't say anything, be patient. They quickly begin to associate their flagging with stopping the hunt. Many of the dogs that come to me with this issue have sim...

Higgins

Hello Sharon,

This might be the video you're referring to.

https://youtu.be/7AS45jbjEwE

Brad Higgins
www.HigginsGundogs.com

Higgins

There have been discussions about different training methods here lately. Thought I would throw in my two cents worth. I learned to work with dogs years ago when I began including them when I flew my hawks and falcons. It was then I realized how similar the predator minds are. All are focused intent...

Higgins

Hello QuailhunterAZ, 16+ minutes is a long time. Pointing is part of a strategy predators use to increases their odds of success (catching the bird). Are you sure that point was for the right reason? A pause before the pounce? If left alone, will she pounce and try to catch the bird? Brad Higgins ht...

Higgins

Here is a video I did a while ago. It shows a client and her dog "managing" a covey of chukar. My rule is, if the dogs movement while in a birdy place, is not motivated by a desire to flush, catch or see the bird then, by my definition, it is "bird management" not "creeping". I included here, the te...

Higgins

Here is another example of a "commanded flush". I agree Bill, this is a very useful command. I call it a "flush/stop" cue. Here is the text that was included with the video. It helps explain the technique. Here is a young Pointer learning to flush on cue. Or as I say, the dog is learning to "present...

Higgins

Hello Uplander, Don't worry about young pups pointing. Pointing is part of a hunting strategy. Pups need exposure to birdy fields to build bird drive and to learn how to successfully get the bird in their mouth. I've found the best way to awaken the prey drive is to turn em' loose in a birdy place a...

Higgins

Hello Kraizyangel, Sounds like a nice dog. If you decide to sell him, please let me know. I can get him happy and hunting again in a couple of weeks. I fix many of the softer, intelligent dogs that have been damaged by "whoa" training. I have many clients that would love to have him. Here is a video...

Higgins

Hey Soarer31,

Great topic. Why don't you start a new thread with it?

Higgins

Higgins

Hello MGIII, The sitting was not a problem and did not require correcting. That pup sat because the owner had overtrained her on a "sit" command. Sit was her comfort zone whenever she was stopped. I just ignored it. Once she chose to be steady to wing, shot and fall, without a checkcord, she stopped...

Higgins

Been kind of quiet here lately. Thought I might put up one of my recent training videos. Some might find it interesting. The text included here is a copy of the text included with the Youtube video. Not trying to start a war. Just sharing some dog stuff. Please enjoy it or ignore it. https://youtu.b...

Higgins

Sounds like he may have plenty of natural retrieve. I would test him. I'd send him for a retrieve and when he leaves, so would I, in the opposite direction. Say nothing. What he does next will speak volumes. Brad Higgins Higgins Gundogs ___________________________ Higgins Gundogs hunting etiquette D...

Higgins

Tonight we are going to start collar conditioning, she has been wearing the ecollar at all times when out of the kennel for awhile now, and knows her obedience commands but sometimes chooses not to listen. I'll let you know how it goes Hello Ruffbritt4, Sounds like a nice pup. What do you mean by c...

Higgins

Hello Mnag_Springer, My goal, as you stated, is to share knowledge and give advice. I want to help as many dogs as I can. Changing human minds and hearts, that's the hard part. There are many ways to get dogs to do things. I promote being gentle, empathetic, and listening to the dogs. They are willi...

Higgins

Here is another video of the same dog a bit later, retrieving a shot partridge and then some water retrieves. Enjoy, https://youtu.be/vNFjRfPZg88 Brad Higgins http://www.HigginsGundogs.com ___________________________ Higgins Gundogs hunting etiquette Dogs: Stay in touch and handle well. Always honor...

Higgins

It's ok Mask, at least the dogs love me.

Thanks for your support.

Higgins

Higgins

I'l have the complete video finished and posted soon. It will show the process, step by step. This took a total of three sessions. The first session (2 hours) was to establish what the problem was. That took 5 birds. The next 2 sessions (3 hours total), focused on building new, positive associations...

Higgins

Here are some recent videos showing “before” and “after” rehabilitation work. VIDEO #1 .......9/9/15. Here is a 2 year old GSP a client brought in today. A breeder/trainer gave the dog to my client. This video was filmed during our first session. As you’ll see in the video, the dog was nervous and u...

Higgins

There have been some recent discussions about encouraging a natural retrieve. This is a video I did a while ago that I thought some might find helpful. The text was included with the video on Youtube. I copied and pasted it here. Here is an example of one of the things I do early on, to nurture the ...

Higgins

Hello Polmaise,

Is there a market for pointing cockers? If so, I'm in!

Higgins

Higgins

Hello ezzy333, You stated, Too bad they aren't smarter than we are and can learn with out help but they just aren't. They are much smarter than we are when it comes to being predators. What they really need from us is the freedom to learn what does and does not work. The bird is the teacher, not us....

Higgins

Steadiness or the lack thereof, is not a dog issue, it's a bird issue. Training, and allowing the dogs to learn using good birds that they can't catch, leads to natural steadiness with all the dog's drive intensity and style intact. Here is a recent trail camera photo of some of my pre-released bird...

Higgins

Hello Roe90,

There is no way to make a dog like being locked in a kennel box for 8+ hours a day. She has associated you and the kennel box with abandonment and long hours of being uncomfortable. Any way you could create a dog yard outside and get her a buddy?

Higgins

Hello oldbeek, Here is a video of a young dog understanding steady to wing, shot and fall in one training session. The secret is, the foundation of the training method is different. https://youtu.be/8vDfeE1405c . Brad Higgins http://www.HigginsGundogs.com ___________________________ Higgins Gundogs ...

Higgins

Hello RaiderZach, Remember, the Magic Brushpile training will not work unless you follow the flowchart of my method. The training must be based on free will, and trust. It is a whole new foundation to base your training on. To be effective, it can't be mixed with or included in obedience based train...

Higgins

Hello Grommet, My method requires owners and trainers to see things from a different perspective. Dogs are predators. They live in the moment, they are reactive and they focus on one thing at a time. Remember, in my method, as in nature, the prey controls the predator. Get pushy and the prey leaves....

Higgins

Hello Largefrag, I uploaded a short video for you. It shows a dog his first time on the Magic Brushpile. Here is the text I included with the video. This is a young dog on the Magic Brushpile for the first time. You can see he breaks to the flush/shot. All I do is slow him down and stop him with the...

Higgins

Hello Bill, Once the dog has the bird, I encourage him to "share the kill". Here is a clip out of a video I'm working on. Sorry about the wind noise. When I get the full video done, I'll adjust the audio. Here is the text that accompanies the video. Here is a video showing one of the phases of our n...

Higgins

Hello Dobrostarr, If a dog decides he needs to try for the bird himself (like in the video), I let him go try. If he goes up to the MBP and points or tries to get to the bird, I leave him alone to see what he decides to do. If he keeps trying to get the bird, I just pick up the check cord and take h...

Higgins

I recently posted a new video. Thought some here might find it interesting. Here is the text that accompanies the video. In order to help understand this "Magic Brushpile" video, please follow the link below. It will take you to the flowchart of the Higgins Method. http://higginsgundogs.com/about-us...

Higgins

Here is Glencuan Will and Saddel Glenn working a covey of partridge today. In the first clip, Will manages the birds and points the covey. He moves a foot and, if you look closely, you can see the birds run off in front of him. The birds are teaching him to be steady. The second and third clips are ...

Higgins

Here is a client's dog, Ruger, and his first experience learning to manage a running chukar. His job here, as with all running birds, is to manage the bird with just enough pressure to get it to stop, but not so much as to make it flush. If you look closely, you can see the bird running in front of ...

Higgins

Hello Dotty, Flush on command is not difficult to teach. Stopping after the flush is a different story. Keep in mind, we never shoot over a running dog. It's dangerous and goes against our steadiness training. You mentioned you were new to training. I don't suggest trying to teach your dog a flush c...

Higgins

Hello Bill, This is Saddel Glenn. I got him from Douglas Mackenzie (Scotland) as a pup. I do though, have a new pup named Will from Glencuan Pointers out of Northern Ireland. I got Will about a month ago. He is almost 7 months old now. Neither dog had any "down" or obedience training when I got them...

Higgins

We were out doing some training hunts this evening on partridge. Glen was working out 100 yards or so and I decided to give him a blow of the whistle (stop command), just to see if he was still in touch. When I got up to him, this is what I found. He seems to have taken me seriously. :D In the photo...

Higgins

Hello Gundogguy, Thanks. And yes, we do all that and in situations where the handler is also the shooter. In addition, the dogs have been taught what I call a 'flush/stop' command where the pointing dog aggressively flushes the bird on command then stops (without a whistle, verbal command or hand si...

Higgins

Here is a short video taken during our 'Social Hunt Day' event this weekend. During this training hunt, I set up a 'stop to wild flush' on a covey rise (Chukar). These birds got up and flew right back over the dogs. I always try to keep the hunts challenging for the dogs and the handlers. My goal is...

Higgins

Hello Bumper52, I agree with the others. Good, natural dog work requires good, natural acting birds. After all, the goal of hunt clubs should be to simulate, as closely as possible the hunting of wild birds. I agree with Bill's comment too. If a bird lays there like it's dead, it will probably get p...

Higgins

Here is a video of one of the dogs we worked today. This young pup is beginning to put it all together. http://youtu.be/gJNcz5oMpnM Brad Higgins http://www.HigginsGundogs.com Higgins Gundogs hunting etiquette Dogs: Stay in touch and handle well. Always honor another dog's point, be steady when neces...

Higgins

Trekmoor, I was always under the impression that in the UK trials, a positive flush on command is desired. I have rarely seen it on dvd or video, however. Friends in the UK and Sweden indicate that in their trials they want to see a very positive and precision flush from the dog, from moving in dir...

Higgins

Here is a video filmed at the 2011 Pointer & Setter Champion Stake from Bollihope Moor in England. Interesting to see some of the differences between trials in the UK and here. http://youtu.be/mKCmiHakwUc Enjoy, Brad Higgins Higgins Gundogs ___________________________ Higgins Gundogs hunting etiquet...

Higgins

If you took a dog that was entered in the National Championship, and bird hunted him from foot in West Tennessee for a few weeks, he would begin to dig in to the woods and thickets and find every bird available also. I know nothing about the two 'meat dogs' that they used for their experiment, but ...

Higgins

I agree that field trial dogs are the best at what they do. They have been bred and trained to be big running, stylish competitive dogs. I agree with Brad's statement: "Does any of this mean are dogs are not as good? No way!! WE HAVE GREAT DOGS AND GREAT HANDLERS! Is finding and handling wild birds ...

Higgins

No controversy here. The local "meat dogs" found the birds that the field trial dogs could not. Read it again. Bird hunting and field trials are different and require dogs with different talents. Brad Higgins http://www.HigginsGundogs.com Higgins Gundogs hunting etiquette Dogs: Stay in touch and han...

Higgins

Don't you think it's slightly narcissistic to believe your "sport" is that unique? Also, did you get a chance to answer my questions from earlier? It seems a trainer of your caliber would have no problem with those questions. I am curious too, what do you do about a refusal? Hello whatsnext, I'd be...

Higgins

Hello Steve, Nice dog you have there and you could certainly fly a longwing over her. But I'm talking about a bigger picture. I'm talking about a method of training and handling that creates a single dog possessing all these abilities. Steady to wing, shot and fall, honor, retrieve and effectively h...

Higgins

I believe American dogs are fit for breeding to the sports and games we have here. My goals and expectations are different and I breed and train to these goals. Brad that is complete and utter bull crap! And you know it! There are literally thousands and thousands of AMERICAN bred dogs that are bre...

Higgins

Higgins, I have two questions. 1) What do you do (logistically) when a dog breaks to retrieve without or before being sent? 2) How do you get a dog to retrieve that will not pick up birds? Maybe it's a dog that runs to the bird but does not pick it up. ?? Hey mnaj_springer, I'm working dogs this mo...

Higgins

I have read this thread with interest. You realize, I am sure that what you state as facts are in reality only theory. ie: what you believe. First, I do not believe a dogs goal is necessarily to get the bird in his mouth. I am convinced that some dogs chase because it is fun for them. Many dogs qui...

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