First hunt question

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:37 am

So is there anything wrong with takeing a young dog on a hunt before he's been trained? What I mean is My puppy is 8 weeks old right now. in 6 months i'll be chaseing grouse,chucker and phesants. is it ok to take the young dog on these trips? I keep reading about guys not training there dogs till like 8 months. but will I be hurting my dog by getting him on birds at that young of an age?

big steve46 · Post by **big steve46** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:54 am

Good idea to get your dogs in birds at any age. Don't expect much out of a puppy, I wouldn't get him into wild pheasants yet. I wouldn't shoot near him at that age. Pup needs to have fun and it doesn't hurt to let them see and smell birds. Just don't do anything to spook him.

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:10 am

WOw it seams to me you would want to have him broke to guns by that age. I had all my labs hunting at that age for ducks. When do you guys start breaking shorthairs to the gun?

big steve46 · Post by **big steve46** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:34 am

Half asleep. Misread post. Thought he was taking him hunting at 8 wks. I agree. Full speed ahead.

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:49 am

I see. I feel the same way this night shift sucks LOL But I do get lots of time on GDF LOL

gonehuntin' · Post by **gonehuntin'** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:37 am

Lots of exposure to birds and being taught where to look for the birds. Formal training starts at 6-8 months. It's all fun and games until then with a little obedience thrown in. Teach him NO.

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:07 am

So, you're getting your pup soon.

Take pup on walks around the yard, around mowed fields or some place that pup doesn't have to fight the cover. It should be easy going. Let pup smell and generally enjoy it. Take it very easy at first....like 5 mins when you first bring him home. You don't want pup to show signs of being tuckered out. It should be entirely a positive experience.

As pup grows, you gradually lengthen the walks and the degree of challenge in the cover.

You should be silent as possible on the walks. The more you talk, the more you teach pup that you lead him in the field which is the opposite of what you want. You want the dog out in front of you checking the objectives for birds without you having to take him there.

Do get the dog out around people. After pup has vaccinations, get him around dogs that you know are good with other dogs. Again, make sure it's a fun thing.

After the water is warm, take pup on a walk where he has to wade through a stream. *Wade*, not swim. Just walk across it. Don't say anything, don't look back, etc. Just walk right across it. You want to show pup that water is no big deal. As time progresses, you can work up to deeper water and throwing a dummy into the water a couple of times.

Always remember to leave pup wanting more. Patience is your best friend.

With a spring litter, my take would be to let the pup have all of its first season just running on wild birds. You invest that first year and it will pay you back for the rest of the dog's life.

One thing: I was into retrievers before getting back into pointing dogs. Retrievers mature earlier and can take pressure that will turn your GSP into a dog that follows you rather than leading you to birds.

Sorry for the ramble. I'm not very organized this morning.

Best regards,

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:23 am

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:47 pm

Thanks guys. The new feather finder will be here on the 15th of march. Im haveing trouble sleeping LOL. I aint been this worked up about anything for a long time. Thanks for putting up with all my stupid questions LOL

huntoverlabs · Post by **huntoverlabs** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:27 pm

I took my lab out on her first hunt at 8 weeks. Took her every weekend after that as well. She progressed wonderfully. Just like somone already said, don't expect much. I was always sure to keep her on a 50 ft. clothesline at first so as not to lose her in the weeds. She spent most of the first few trips trying to keep up with the other dogs and playing in the grass but it doesn't take them long to figure it out. She flushed and retrieved her first pheasant at 4 month's old. So I say go for it, take your time, let the pup be a pup, and enjoy it while it lasts!! Good luck!!

Teewinot · Post by **Teewinot** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:14 pm

Stump -- Sounds like your pup is about the same age as mine. Who are you getting her from?

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:57 pm

Teewinot wrote:Stump -- Sounds like your pup is about the same age as mine. Who are you getting her from?

WellI was getting one of the HBV pups but my wife wroks with a gal who gave us a pup from her dog. its a GWP/GSP mix. not to happy about it but how do you fight the wife on a money issue like that free versues $$$. anyway I just wanted a good huntin dog anyway and was interested in trials and all that. I got the perfect start vidieo from Lab man and Now I see I need a ton of friggin pigons LOL So im going to spend a crap load on this pup anyway LOL

Teewinot · Post by **Teewinot** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:59 pm

Well good luck with the pup. I do have to say that the cost of the pup though has probably been the cheapest expense of it all but probably makes one of the biggest differences as far as what I've seen with my other dogs I've had.

Too bad you weren't able to get one from HBV, they are some really nice pups.