Any good advice for a first time Setter owner?

[m2244]

I bought a Ryman setter this year and I've had him out on Ruffed Grouse since last summer. He's not really point ing yet aside from a few snap points but I am being patient. We went out yesterday in the hills of Vermont and as I watched him I thought of a good question for more experienced pointer owners; What should I be looking for at this stage? He is about 9 to 10 months old. How should he be using the wind? He is fairly responsive to me, he will look back to see which way I am going. He tends to stop occassionally and look around at the cover.

I guess my biggest question is should I worry if he doesn't always use the wind? What I mean is sometimes he will work over to my left even though the wind is moving from left to right.

What are some of the indicators I should look for? Any advice would be appreciated.

[PntrRookie]

Independence, listening, drive, building stamina. Setters "typically" develop slow. Take your time and let him develop. Next spring I would start setting up training/pointing scenarios and polishing him up. JMO

[jimssetters]

Patience and fun, your rewards are yet to come. This puppy is knows he is running and it is fun. He doesnt actually know he is hunting. It takes a lot of birds to make a bird dog. This first year is a learning thing you both. HAVE FUN the most important thing. It takes longer for a Setter to mature so have fun and make sure your pup is having fun.

[Mountaineer]

Provide opportunities for him.

Rymans have been gone a long time...what/who is the breeding/breeder of your Dual?
They would likely be the best spot to ask advice.
Setters vary tremendously....even the Duals.

[m2244]

Independence, listening, drive, building stamina. Setters "typically" develop slow. Take your time and let him develop. Next spring I would start setting up training/pointing scenarios and polishing him up. JMO

Thanks for the advice. Can you or anyone elaborate on the terms "listening" and "building stamina"?

[JIM K]

we trained 3 ryman setters ,young ones over year old and not 1 pointed a bird.
i am no trainer of setters only along for trip etc.
i then released my 6 month old SMALL MUNSTERLANDER and he pointed every bird.

SM are slow developing dogs also.
i have friend who has 2 SM and not 1 of them points.
i have another friend who has lew setter and he pointed at 6 months old.
i believe that setters may be slow to do this but then you see a 6 month old one doing it.
like my SM ,some point and some dont.
some do it at very young age .

[JIM K]

Provide opportunities for him.

Rymans have been gone a long time...what/who is the breeding/breeder of your Dual?
They would likely be the best spot to ask advice.
Setters vary tremendously....even the Duals.

my friend is trainer at decoverly and they still have ryman setters as far as i know.
3 i was with were from decoverly here in pa.
i almost bought one and then i liked the lew setter better from lynnhillsetters,almost got one,had pick of litter until i fell for a SMALL MUNSTERLANDER.

[PntrRookie]

...elaborate on the terms "listening" and "building stamina"?

Get the dog to handle and build endurance...lungs, muscle, etc.

[Mountaineer]

...my friend is trainer at decoverly and they still have ryman setters as far as i know.
3 i was with were from decoverly here in pa.
i almost bought one and then i liked the lew setter better from lynnhillsetters,almost got one,had pick of litter until i fell for a SMALL MUNSTERLANDER.

Imo, Decoverly has Dual-type setters which are a Ryman-type.
DeCoverly has always maintained a genetic link and, especially, an optomistic marketing link to George Ryman's dogs...many tho believe the line died with him rather than with his wife...or never ended.
Others believe the line ended in Lewisburg, WVa.
Depends upon who you talk to and which puff history on the dogs you read.....small point as they can be swell dogs of a type.
DeCoverly may have recoverd from their issues of the recent past re lowering their dog numbers, I don't know..hope so.
Shame Alexander left.
There are several other Ryman-type kennels out there....the OP may wish to keep his a secret.

As far as young Duals pointing...they do.
Not a problem.
Opportunity is a must, time is a factor.

I'm sure you are satisfied with ol' whiskers...great.
But no more magic is there than in any other young birdhunting birddog with a good dose of the correct genetics.
Most of us are satisfied with our dogs, James...hopefully, they are as satisfied with us.

[m2244]

There are several other Ryman-type kennels out there....the OP may wish to keep his a secret.

You mean me? What is OP?

Round River Setters is where I bought old Cooper.

[Mountaineer]

Thanks...nice looking setters.

OP..original poster

George "Bird" Evans as written on the kennel site...Bird was GBE's middle and family name and not related to gamebirds or a nickname.
fwiw

Best with your pup.

[m2244]

Ah, "fwiw". For What It's Worth. Thank you Google! Some days I wonder if I know anything at all.

Anyway, I can't wait for this guy to really start pointing. When he shows me those little flash points he looks great, so intense.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. This is a great forum.

[buckshot0074]

Nice looking dog !

[m2244]

Nice looking dog !

Thanks. Here's one my sister-in-law took this weekend. I do enjoy watching him move through the woods.

[homestead setters]

Just put the dog in birds, and have fun hunting him this season. Don't get too hung up on "training" at this point, bird contact will bring out what you want to see.

[gotpointers]

That is a very good looking dog. Make him your buddy and spend lots of time walking him unleashed and exposed to birds of all kinds. If I don't see my young pups running around pointing tweety birds and butterflies one or both of the the parents won't be used again. No pressure at all just teach come or here for now. Some may say you are teaching sight pointing but I see it as allowing instinct and prey drive to surface.

[tdhusker]

Just put the dog in birds, and have fun hunting him this season. Don't get too hung up on "training" at this point, bird contact will bring out what you want to see.

Good advice there. Let the dog run as much as possible. Get him out where he can stretch is legs and chase things. If there's birds there, great. Best thing you can do for any young pointing dog. Don't worry much about keeping him close either...