Gun Dog Forum

bonasa

I condition the dog to the bell. This is accomplished by working a dog with a bell on in front of the young dog repeatedly. Then the young dog wears the bell on field workouts, and finally while hunting. I have found the hawk scream (tri-tronics anyway) spooks grouse and even woodcock. My dogs wear ...

bonasa

Which book are you following?

bonasa

Ground sniffers do get lucky once in a while and hit a scent cone by chance when their head is high. Most will hit foot scent and bump the bird every time. The erratic stop and go of the dog deciphering the scent gets them into trouble every time. If you primarily hunt grouse and the dog has had mor...

bonasa

In a few months to a year can begin the second to last sentence. I'd find a handful of books, DVD 's and study them all. While you wait I'd find a local training group, walk a trial or use the search Que on here. Whoa/stand command is for after the flush, say and do nothing while the bird is on the ...

bonasa

I hunt southern and northern teir of ny for grouse and woodcock during bow, muzzleloader and rifle seasons including opening weekends and thanksgiving weekend on state land. I do this with wide ranging english pointers that wear orange collars and a bell. I just don't hit a covert that has a vehicle...

bonasa

In Richard Weavers "Grouse Dogs" book he advocates not hunting a dog on grouse until the second season and after they prove their steadiness/retrieve and desire on shooting preserves. The same format is any sound training philosophy, control the situation until they are broke then you can trust the ...

bonasa

Keep them hungry and trap training a little before dark as you have been doing. Although since you have had them since spring I do not foresee any issue at all expecting even a re-homed feral from trapping 3/4 mile away. I still keep them hungry so they trap quicker on training days, just so they av...

bonasa

Sounds bored and idle. More exercise and mental stimulation.

bonasa

DonF wrote: I keep wondering how some people keep from shooting their own dog.

Likewise, it's an anomaly this doesn't happen more frequently (thankfully) especially at preserves, with late flushing birds and careless shooters.

Brad,
Thanks for sharing.

bonasa

The impulses are lighter than the tritronics. It doesn't have a dial to increase or decrease the impulse strength, as this is accomplished from a toggle up and down buttons. Everything is rechargeable but requires several different apparatus to make this possible. Overall I was disappointed in the p...

bonasa

When you do find a known covert location, look at it on an aerial photograph. Take note of the aspect slope and what the topography is, then look for similar areas and walk them. They usually appear as a recessed looking, light green (duckweed color)areas defined by sharp edges, such as an area that...

bonasa

Early season 10-15 year growth in areas with moisture close by on a south facing area (young birch/aspen/hawthorn/apple/ dogwood/hornbeam/ironwood).Late season thick areas with conifers near trees producing edible catkins (indicator spp 40yr+ aspen).Also check NYSDEC website and check out the breedi...

bonasa

I primarily hunt behind pointers but Having hunted behind flushers I have found this. Early season the dog flush the birds flush I thick cover just a tad too far even though the dog is wicked close. Later the cover is open and the birds are scattered, more prone to wild flushes. Hard to get a critic...

bonasa

Gone huntin's response is brutally honest and spot on. However if you are emotionally attached to the animal I would find a proven program and build the dog up beginning with puppy bird intro. I might add that doing anything in excess is bad, such as throwing the dummy until he tired or got bored wi...

bonasa

I have a friend that their 1 testicled dachshund bred a full grown lab. It is possible...

bonasa

Id force fetch regardless (not yet though).Is the pup in a checkcord? Do you rip it out if his mouth as soon as you have the chance? Call or lead him to heel then do your own victory lap then ask for it. Once is enough. As DonF said use something hard. They calm down when you calm down and not rush ...

bonasa

Hi Rich, I switched from PPP to TOTW wetland and have good luck. How old is your dog and what is the weekly exercise regime? Are you free feeding? Is this you or the vet that wants weight on the dog?Older dogs get fat quick, young dogs without a lot of exercise just cut back on their fuel intake on ...

bonasa

Neil, I could be wrong but that looks like a remote for a tritronics collar.

bonasa

If the dog thinks there is a possibility for another bird on the find they wont move their head. Don't force the style out of him.

bonasa

Young pups figure it out quickly. What Ezzy said, cats put them in their place.

bonasa

Does the dog sleep in there? I had a similar issue, pup would cry if he was kennels during the day, but not at night. They anticipate what to expect , daytime isn't forever but night time is. Never had the issue with truck box. Make it fun and positive. Sharon I had a dog that hated smoke of all kin...

bonasa

I used quail with <4 month old pups. I use Jonny house birds that flush nicely, alternatively you could keep the birds in mostly darkness for a day with only water then release them in the woods. If they are flight conditioned they should fly real nice. In the woods the pups can't mark them down and...

bonasa

In the event the bird doesn't crumple , the dog will point dead. If u pick and choose your shots and care more about dog work there won't be winged birds. To many times following up with a dog to point dead will lead a dog to anticipate this and follow up with all birds missed or winged. How far are...

bonasa

A sticky sickle tailed choppy gaited biddable dog that retrieves isn't anything amazing to watch.

bonasa

There have been others, all grouse hunters I might add...

bonasa

1)How far in training did this trainer take the dog?
2) whom taught whoa , when and how is it reinforced?
3) did you hunt this dog prior to training? Did u flush his birds?
4) when the dog was pointing at the trainers and he said whoa, did the dog's ears and tail change position?

bonasa

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/200 ... igeon.html

Found this link on another forum. Interesting about "white backs".

bonasa

Ezzy, it sounds like blinking. A young dog cc'd into a pigeon in a pole!? Tell me there was no pressure involved with a young dog. How much exposure has this dog had? No wild quail or planted birds? Sounds like blinking of pigeons to me. Please let the OP respond.

bonasa

Disrespectful parents produce disrespectful children regardless of their environment.

bonasa

How many quail has this dog been on? What does the dog do when they flush? What do you do when they flush? Is the dog gun conditioned?

bonasa

Hang in there Murph. I am sure you will gain some insight, provide some insight and disagree with opinions. Keep reading and posting. Thanks. There are different personalities no matter where you go, something good comes from all encounters.

bonasa

A guardrail x rock acre blackhawk makes a dang fine grouse seeking missile.

bonasa

You never hear about a ripper or renegade lol: I do all the time, called bumping and chasing. To the latter , gaining independence. Later the dog is either broke or its not. With a proven training program all those variables are worked out. Recall and staying to be front take care of your renegade....

bonasa

Sab, Good luck in your search for a pointing breed. What birds do you hunt?Will you be training the dog yourself? If you do, there is a tremendous sense of pride involved when Its finished. With that being said I strongly encourage you to visit prospective breeders watch them train , see their dogs ...

bonasa

The less I talk to my drones the better they handle. Somehow they stay with me, and I rarely walk up a bird from the ground.

bonasa

Same harness for the dog as my bike joring but I switch the 6' lead for a 20' check cord that I tie around my waist. A weight lifting belt may be better but i have in my lined overalls and jacket so the cc doesnt bite into my obliques so much.Two hands free to hold the poles. Only problem is sleds o...

bonasa

I like pumpernickel, coffee in anything is good. Stand alone coffee is just fine too.

bonasa

Sounds bird-shy and gun-shy. May be a good idea to start the dogs training from square one like a puppy. Or find a competent professional dog trainer to tackle the issue, the season is over at this point and by taking it slow for the next seven months could yield a workable bird dog. Additionally li...

bonasa

The posted link only works from a mobile device.

bonasa

Wow, what a happy ending from a bad situation.

bonasa

Seems NY was down with grouse, although the resident woodcock seemed to be up and a good push came also. All in all not a bad season, not the best but still a lot of good laughs and good times were had. Glad you had fun.

bonasa

Congratulations to Bo and all that were involved. Sckwest1, By gundog folks breeding better dogs are you talking backyard breeding? What are you breeding for? Are you taking the best individual dogs and breeding them? What of the subpar dogs? Do you have a rubric to evaluate dogs abilities on so oth...

bonasa

This is part of the problem how does one only work for 30 years of there life? If you lived till 80 that means 50 years of your life was spent being a burden or responsibility to others and how can you make and save enough in 30 years of work to supply another 30+ years of retirement? It is this ki...

bonasa

Si, don't stress out. It sounded like your dog went from good and steady holding in first scent to rooting up birds. There is a difference between working a running bird and rooting up a bird. Making me believe that the dog wanted to see them fly or chase them as a reward rather than you shooting th...

bonasa

Your welcome Tony! What did I win? The OP described in detail that he untrained the pup. He had great natural ability on wildbirds but without a solid foundation and maturity it eroded back into bumping and chasing. "Si the britt" -what did you do after the pup ripped "got aggressive with a few bird...

bonasa

I bet your dog went from a high head stopping on first scent and holding till you flushed to a ground pottering idiot flushing birds ahead of you? With young untrained dogs (natural ability) i have never seen anything put a point into a dog faster than wild birds (grouse and woodcock) nor have I see...

bonasa

Nice hunt, thanks for sharing. Love the novelty of "different" such as cranes/swans.

bonasa

She is flagging because she knows she can catch the bird. Use a launcher and as soon as the dog makes game, pop it, stop the dog then heel it away. Do that every three days to a week with one bird. If she is used to the gun when she finally points pop he bird and kill it, she stands the bird flushes...

bonasa

I am not a fan of the garmin. Weaker than old tt sport. To switch power it is a button rather than a dial, when I need power it isn't there. You also cannot fit it on an astro collar. The charging apparatus requires multiple small pieces although the remote is rechargeable so it so t run out of batt...

bonasa

I have shot a pile of birds (grouse/woodcock/training)with the .410 using 3/4 plated 7's, gun is choked full and full. I also have a 20 that i stuff 1 oz factory trap 8's skeet/imp and do just as well. Another friend of mine shoots a 28 with 3/4 oz plated 7's doing 1300 with an improved and mod, aga...

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