Pointing the tweetys

gone · Post by **gone** » Thu May 05, 2005 3:25 pm

Hey everybody I am a rookie new to the site & the sport, but I have a year old GSP/English mix that I have been working with & he is constantly pointing anything with wings, sparrows, robins, butterflys I guess this seems like kind of an odd thing to ask about, but should I discourage pointing birds that I will not be hunting? I guess my worry is that I will get him out hunting & he will start pointing some little tweety bird flying around. Right now he is only pointing by sight not scent and I haven't been able to get him on many birds. Also I just moved to Layton, UT could anyone share a good place to go to train just public land where I can run & train him? Thanks for any help.

Dirtysteve · Post by **Dirtysteve** » Thu May 05, 2005 3:39 pm

Get ahold of 12 volt man, He is from up that way and he could give you some ideas on where to go.

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Thu May 05, 2005 3:53 pm

Has anyone heard from 12v man????? I have not seen him on here in some time...

By the way welcome and welcome to Utah. DOn't worry about the tweety bird pointing, as the dog matures and you get some more bird contacts he will egnore the non game birds...

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Thu May 05, 2005 4:17 pm

I am still alive.................

Tom, I need to talk to you.

Murphy, check your PM's.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu May 05, 2005 5:55 pm

Our dogs always did that off the start. Once they know what to hunt they will stop. Dont worry it will only take a season or 2 no biggy.

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Thu May 05, 2005 10:29 pm

12 Volt Man wrote:I am still alive.................

Tom, I need to talk to you.

Murphy, check your PM's.

Give me a ring!

Post by **grant** » Fri May 06, 2005 8:10 am

murphy&me wrote:Hey everybody I am a rookie new to the site & the sport, but I have a year old GSP/English mix that I have been working with & he is constantly pointing anything with wings, sparrows, robins, butterflys I guess this seems like kind of an odd thing to ask about, but should I discourage pointing birds that I will not be hunting? I guess my worry is that I will get him out hunting & he will start pointing some little tweety bird flying around. Right now he is only pointing by sight not scent and I haven't been able to get him on many birds. Also I just moved to Layton, UT could anyone share a good place to go to train just public land where I can run & train him? Thanks for any help.

I would guess is comes with experience. Lins and I've always thought it was neat how Bell would bust right though a bunch of trash birds, but slam on point at quail. Even more wierd is that she'll stop to flush on a busted quail, but not on a trash bird??? My guess is that over time, they learn from you what there hunting. If you never shot game birds and always shot sparrows, they'd ignore game birds....

Its time to start getting that boy pointing scent =) Feel free to ask more questions if needed. =)

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Fri May 06, 2005 8:52 am

I sure would hate to discourage a young dog...and a year old *is* a young dog...from pointing any kind of bird.

Like Grant, I think it'll take care of itself naturally.

"When I point this kind of bird, Dad gets excited, shoots it for me, and lots of fun things happen.

When I point this other kind of bird, Dad smells disappointed in me, he heels me away from the bird and nothing fun happens.

You know, I don't think I'm going to point that other kind of bird.".

Best,

snips · Post by **snips** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:13 am

Like the others said, it will go away. I do not discourage it, and I do not acknowledge it. Just ignore it, but at a yr old, I agree the dog needs to know what scent pointing is. The more he sight points, the more he wants to see a bird, even after he finds out what scent is.

markm · Post by **markm** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:58 pm

Snips and others,

How do you make that transition from sight pointing to scent? I've got an 11 month old V, who locks up any time she spots a bird on the ground. Doesn't pay any attention if they are in a tree. Is it just a matter of getting her in birds and letting her realize what her Dad is looking for?

I see all kinds of promising things from her, but I'm yet to see her point by scent. I think part of it is just youthful energy, she seems to have to get her legs stretched before she settles down and works.

Any thoughts??

snips · Post by **snips** » Fri May 06, 2005 1:12 pm

I like using some very lightly dizzied quail thrown in cover that a dog cannot see them. When the dog sticks his nose in to investigate, out pops a quail. It might take several encounters, but havng that bird pop up and fly on him is what will make him point. You want strong, good birds. The dog will learn what the scent is. Sometimes I take a dog back and let them smell where the bird came out. I don`t like to work the same bird over and over, we have pen raised birds and after a couple of flights the bird can be caught, so you want to keep him on good birds to instill the pointing. If you use a CC on him, don`t say anything, I just get excited when he sees the bird get up. Let the bird teach him. No Whoas...

markm · Post by **markm** » Fri May 06, 2005 1:15 pm

Thanks for the tips. Just need to find me some birds to use now.

When you say slightly dizzied? How dizzy is that and how do you go about it?

Post by **grant** » Fri May 06, 2005 1:39 pm

Shake him, or whirl it around like you where winding up to throw a ball underhanded.

From sight to scent, you can use a launcher. Bring the dog down wind. As soon as the pup smells the bird and works toward it, pop the bird. It may take three to four times or it may seem useless the first few days. At some point, it'll just click with the dog. They'll put 2 and 2 together and slam a point at first scent.

markm · Post by **markm** » Fri May 06, 2005 1:59 pm

Any suggestions on where to get a bird launcher or a certain kind? I've seen some here or there, but thought maybe there was one you would recommend.

BTW Grant, I saw your video of your dog working a while back. In my mind (dreams), that's how I want my dog to work. Incredible. How old is she? Congrats to you and her.

Post by **grant** » Fri May 06, 2005 2:16 pm

She's almost 2yrs and lately thinks she runs the show around the dern' house. Thanks for the compliment! I think she's the best in the WORLD, but I'm her dad, so what can you expect.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the sport. I would think a GSP/Pointer mix would be a great combo! Well, so long as it's 51% GSP. HA! Only kidding...

Luckly these pups come imbedded with the skills to do the job. Just learn all "you" can! It's a lot to know, but its not hard to understand... Have you checked out any videos? By far the best are the ones on the GDF Home page... (kidding) followed by Perfection Kennel and Janet's silent hunting video... Keep us updated!

gone · Post by **gone** » Fri May 06, 2005 2:24 pm

Thanks for the help everyone My boy is actually 50/50 gsp/english. Both Mom & Dad were purebreds & hunters so he has a lot of natural talent that just needs some molding he is a great dog though when I have some good pics I will post them.

Post by **grant** » Fri May 06, 2005 2:27 pm

Yeah, get us some pics! I like your signature also:

"No other success in life, can compensate for failure in the home."

Good stuff....

markm · Post by **markm** » Fri May 06, 2005 2:34 pm

Yeah I know what you mean, my girl could turn out to be the worst hunter in the world, but you'll never hear me say a bad word about her.

I think she has what it takes to be a good bird dog, I just think I hear others talk about their dogs and wonder why mine isn't doing that by now. Probably just a lack of knowledge on her owners part.

I haven't checked out any videos, plan to do that soon. Have read Gun Dog by Richard Wolters. The breeder I got her from swears by it, and he has some good dogs. I've heard some negative comments about Wolters methods, but I think overall it has been helpful. Just like everything else, you have to find what works best for you and your dog.

I'll keep ya updated on Little Lyza's progress. I'm sure there are lots of questions yet to come.

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Fri May 06, 2005 3:54 pm

markm wrote:Snips and others,

How do you make that transition from sight pointing to scent? I've got an 11 month old V, who locks up any time she spots a bird on the ground. Doesn't pay any attention if they are in a tree. Is it just a matter of getting her in birds and letting her realize what her Dad is looking for?

I see all kinds of promising things from her, but I'm yet to see her point by scent. I think part of it is just youthful energy, she seems to have to get her legs stretched before she settles down and works.

Any thoughts??

I for one do not see a problem in this.... IF you play any type of trial game you will come accross a time where the dog will be on the wrong side of the wind and see the bird before it ever scents it. I train for this with running or walking birds. I also have seen thousands of Pheasants Run out of cover down a path or at the edge of a road.
I think if the dog is steady enough to stop on a bird that is in plain view and does not take it out you have some good days ahead of you. I just don't see a problem in it.
Know with that said most dogs will learn what a Crap bird is and a game bird is. It has been some time since one of my older dogs stopped on a song bird running on the ground and bust up infront of them. But I can say that they will stop on a Quail or Pheasant trying out for the track team!

Post by **grant** » Fri May 06, 2005 9:40 pm

markm wrote: I think she has what it takes to be a good bird dog, I just think I hear others talk about their dogs and wonder why mine isn't doing that by now. Probably just a lack of knowledge on her owners part.

Na, I'm sure what you hear online is often the good things that happen and not the mistakes that are made....

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:16 pm

grant wrote:
markm wrote: I think she has what it takes to be a good bird dog, I just think I hear others talk about their dogs and wonder why mine isn't doing that by now. Probably just a lack of knowledge on her owners part.

Na, I'm sure what you hear online is often the good things that happen and not the mistakes that are made....

Grant you can't be more wrong! I Know I never have a bad day training! Dogs point the birds, Never ever bump them of chase them on the ground/flight and try to catch them! When I whistle or yell "here" they always do as I say, In fact some time I can only think about a command and they do it!

I only say this because I had a heck of a time tonight with Speed! He was a National Champion Caliber dog right to the point I let him out of the trailer! What a TRAINWRECK!
First bird was loaded in the release, took him accross the scent and bam point! About 20 yards. Good breeze tonight in the windy Town. Well the bird was released and poped about 4 feet in the air and a pretty good gust took him right at the dog! Yup right in the mouth, Speed handled the Nolan Ryan Fast ball better than his trusty catcher! I was out front of him with a loose check cord all I could do is look at him and say nice Catch!

Post by **grant** » Sat May 07, 2005 8:55 am

llewgor · Post by **llewgor** » Sat May 07, 2005 9:36 am

see dirtysteve it happens to even the best

nice post TAK

Gun Dog Forum

Pointing the tweetys

Pointing the tweetys

Re: Pointing the tweetys