Gun Dog Forum

Hi I have a 2 year old German Shorthaired Pointer Ava who I rescued from the SPCA a year ago. Found out the hard way she was a gun dog. She is so great and I do not regret getting her a single minute. But I have some guilt I am not a hunter she has a very high hunt/prey drive I think anyway. When she is at the park she sometimes goes off in her world and she will not come to me when called. Not all the time but alot. She will be in the thick bush and trying to flush out the birds. When we are on our walks she points out before I even see what it is, she is always on a leash for out walks outside of the park. So I praise her and in a stern voice tell her to leave it and we continue to go on. But I am wanting to know since I don't hunt is thier some idea to let her use what she was bred to do in the park but be able to have her come to me when called. She does any other way but when she is in that hunt/flush mode boy oh boy. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Start with a long check cord, about 25 feet. This is something you should always be able to get your hands on, even if she tries to play a game of "can't catch me." Then, only tell her to come when you have hold of the end and, if she doesn't come, physically reel her in. Do not let her get away with blowing you off, she needs to obey the command every time, even if it's obedience based on being pulled in.

After awhile of this, she should start coming to you when called without you needing to pull the cord. When that happens she knows the command completely, and you may transition into an e-collar if you wish for greater distances of command reinforcement.

I never thought of that thanks!

You don't even have to hold the checkcord the whole time, just let her drag it around. But always grab ahold of the end before you issue the command so you can reinforce.

Always remember..........Timing and patience ............are the two biggest factors in dog training. Jonesy

LOL I will keep that in mind when I come back from the park with my hair looking like Don King and all lumped up trying to fell like a hunter hahahahahaha. As the voice is saying patience now patience LOL

If you don't shoot a gun, maybe you could compromise by shooting photo's....

Train your dog to hunt like any other GSP, but instead of killing the finds, take pictures of them. I saw this on TV. It was a show that featured people with hunting dogs that didn't hunt. It gives the dog a chance to do what it was bread to do (somewhat) and can also be fun for the owner.

I am a hunter and love hunting, but this may work for those who don't.

That is something to think about

Thanks!