Words of Wisdom
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Train a dog 5-10 minutes a day, preferably in more then one session, 5 days a week, and in a year you will have a dog that everyone will love.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Slow will get you there Fast
Fast will get you there Slow, or not at all
Strive each day to be the man/woman your dog thinks you are.
If you are driving down a deserted highway and see a beautiful young woman standing on the side of the road, alone and with nothing. Seriously consider passing her up. Someone probably left her there for a VERY good reason.
Fast will get you there Slow, or not at all
Strive each day to be the man/woman your dog thinks you are.
If you are driving down a deserted highway and see a beautiful young woman standing on the side of the road, alone and with nothing. Seriously consider passing her up. Someone probably left her there for a VERY good reason.

Two cannibals were eating a clown. One looks up at the other and says, "Does this taste funny to you?"
Re: Words of Wisdom
just because a certain technique worked for one person don't mean it will work for every dog all the time.
suck up all the info you can and use what works best for that particular dog and yourself.be creative and make it fun for you and the dog.
common sense goes a LOOOOOOONG way!
suck up all the info you can and use what works best for that particular dog and yourself.be creative and make it fun for you and the dog.
common sense goes a LOOOOOOONG way!
- Ryman Gun Dog
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Gentlemen,
Never discipline your dog when you are argry.
RGD/Dave
Never discipline your dog when you are argry.
RGD/Dave
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- GDF Junkie
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Timing is everything when training a dog...if you have thought out the lesson, including what can go wrong and how to handle when (not if but when) it does... you will be in a postition to react at the exact right time in exactly the right way.
Plan your work
then
go out and work your plan.
RayG
Plan your work
then
go out and work your plan.
RayG
Re: Words of Wisdom
Dont train the dog train the handler.
I cant tell you how many neighbors and friends want me to train their dogs. Somehow its never the dog
I cant tell you how many neighbors and friends want me to train their dogs. Somehow its never the dog
- AZ Brittany Guy
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Re:
That may be true but only when he knows what to do in the first place.TGCGSPS wrote:the key for perfection is setting your dog up for failure and then correcting him.
T.Smith
TopGunCopper JH NA1

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Re: Words of Wisdom
consistancey and praise.
Re: Words of Wisdom
and PATIENCE!... the dog is born with his... learn yours!..triplebbirddog wrote:consistancey and praise.
oh... and don't bet on boxers that cross their legs between rounds...
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
- Mark Twain.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
-Abraham Lincoln
- Mark Twain.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
-Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Cross your I's and dot your T's. Train to perfection, back off and admire what you and your best bud have become. Consecutive correct repetitions and PRAISE
Re: Words of Wisdom
Keep your hunting dog within shooting distance
Re: Words of Wisdom
It's okay to share food but you should each have your own water bowl.
The best place to hunt is where the birds are. Next best is where they ain't. Anywhere else works too.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Not sure this counts but, owners should practice with their guns as much as the dogs practice finding birds. Nothing worse than having your dog give you that , why am I even finding these birds for you, look! Remember dead birds make owner and dog happy!
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=3600
"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better." -George Bird Evans " Troubles with Bird Dogs"
"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better." -George Bird Evans " Troubles with Bird Dogs"
Re: Words of Wisdom
If you are a novice, contact a trainer before you screw the dog up,,, not just after.
Every dog is different. What worked on the last dog may not work on the next.
Start`em young. If you don`t have a bird crazy pup,, the pup is not ready for formal training.
If the young dog is not bird crazy and out of control, there is nothing to put control on.
Always quit with the youngster wanting one more.
Every dog is different. What worked on the last dog may not work on the next.
Start`em young. If you don`t have a bird crazy pup,, the pup is not ready for formal training.
If the young dog is not bird crazy and out of control, there is nothing to put control on.
Always quit with the youngster wanting one more.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Plan your work
then
go out and work your plan.
Fail to plan,,,,, plan to fail!![]()
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Learn how to think and communicate like a dog. It will do more for your success as a trainer than all of the methods put together.
Gary
Poudre River Gundogs
Gary
Poudre River Gundogs
- big steve46
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Among many other things, milk bones and positive reinforcement. Frequent rewarding of a dog for doing something correctly will make the dog want to be correct more often. Simple but true.
big steve
Re: Words of Wisdom
Very helpful thread
Re: Words of Wisdom
Every dog is different and therefore not every dog should be trained the same as the next. Repetition and consistency is essential in any training program along with proper association.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Every trainer gets the dog they deserve.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Been there!daniel77 wrote: If you are driving down a deserted highway and see a beautiful young woman standing on the side of the road, alone and with nothing. Seriously consider passing her up. Someone probably left her there for a VERY good reason.
Does this only happen to guys named Daniel?
Dan
Re: Words of Wisdom
I have only trained a couple of dogs, so I am basically a beginner. Train with a group. The best thing I ever did was to get together with people who knew more than I did. Be it NAVHDA, a retriever club, whatever. There is no short cut to wisdom, and someone who has trained dozens of dogs is going to see things and be able to read dogs better than a beginner like me.
I learned a ton from other trainers watching my dog. He was doing things right that I never recognized.
I learned a ton from other trainers watching my dog. He was doing things right that I never recognized.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
GREAT DOGS ARE BORN that way.
You can not train a dog to be what was not born to be.
A bad handler can take away from a good dog but they can only have a horrible dog if they both have bad genes.
The best dog trainer is a person that does not talk to their dogs in the field and uses other means to train.
Show me a hunter good enough to be able to lead on purpose a young puppy with out talking to wild birds a few times and I will show you a dog that hunts for that hunter like no other
Too many wild birds is the best training for a great dog.
If they are born great, with too many WILD birds they will be great real young and the good ones when older.....again all they need besides great food is lots of wild birds and a smart handler that speaks and understands dog language.
Mario
You can not train a dog to be what was not born to be.
A bad handler can take away from a good dog but they can only have a horrible dog if they both have bad genes.
The best dog trainer is a person that does not talk to their dogs in the field and uses other means to train.
Show me a hunter good enough to be able to lead on purpose a young puppy with out talking to wild birds a few times and I will show you a dog that hunts for that hunter like no other
Too many wild birds is the best training for a great dog.
If they are born great, with too many WILD birds they will be great real young and the good ones when older.....again all they need besides great food is lots of wild birds and a smart handler that speaks and understands dog language.
Mario
Re:
Really like that one... Very new to the Gundog world, and its an up and down battle, but when you when a battle is won, its was all worth the time and Effort... And when Doubt falls upon you... back out, find out, and start slow... Currently working on force fetchin my 1.5 old Britt, and for a Rookie like me... Its been up and down, but when the light goes on for you and the Dog... Life couldn't be better...Thor wrote:It is o.k. to loose a battle every now and again as long as you win the war.
An ol'timer once told me," You can always give a dog brakes but you can't always give'em gas."
Re: Words of Wisdom
First of all pick a right dog breed for a gun dog.
Don't think that bloodhound could be easily trained to be a retriever.
Don't think that bloodhound could be easily trained to be a retriever.
- AZ Brittany Guy
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Re: Re:
Have you been to see Delmar Smith yet? I think he's you neighbor and he is the Guru of Bird Dog Training, Brittany's in particular. He is an irreplaceable resource that won't be with us for too many more years.jlowery wrote:Really like that one... Very new to the Gundog world, and its an up and down battle, but when you when a battle is won, its was all worth the time and Effort... And when Doubt falls upon you... back out, find out, and start slow... Currently working on force fetchin my 1.5 old Britt, and for a Rookie like me... Its been up and down, but when the light goes on for you and the Dog... Life couldn't be better...Thor wrote:It is o.k. to loose a battle every now and again as long as you win the war.
An ol'timer once told me," You can always give a dog brakes but you can't always give'em gas."
Last edited by AZ Brittany Guy on Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Dogs don't work for us; they work with us.
And:
Never make your dog do something; ask them to.
And:
Never make your dog do something; ask them to.
Wit is a sword; people are meant to feel the point as well as see it.
Re: Re:
Have you been to see Delmar Smith yet? I think he's you neighbor and he is the Guru of Bird Dog Training, Brittany's in particular. He is an irreplaceable resource that won't be with us for too many more years.[/quote]
Haven't been to see him, but my realtor grew up with Rick Smith, and hopefully next time he is in town he said we will let me meet him. Perfect guy to talk to, when i am on the verge of going Gundog junkie, HAHA!!!
Haven't been to see him, but my realtor grew up with Rick Smith, and hopefully next time he is in town he said we will let me meet him. Perfect guy to talk to, when i am on the verge of going Gundog junkie, HAHA!!!
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Start young. Dont ouer due it and be jental.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
You can beat, or shock, a dog into compliance. It takes patience in
training to achieve superior performance.
training to achieve superior performance.
- AZ Brittany Guy
- Rank: 5X Champion
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Re: Words of Wisdom
"Never Squat while Wearing your spurs"
Wil Rodgers
Wil Rodgers
- northUpland
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Fun. Reptition. Clarity. Consistency. Fun(again). In that order if possible...Also. Never wear sunglasses when training. A bird dog needs to see into your soul for proper direction in life. -Mark
- deke
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Re: Words of Wisdom
This is what the guy who I bought my Pup from told me about using a shock collar.
Unless he is screwing a deer, dont shock him. Atleast till he is big enough to reach.
Unless he is screwing a deer, dont shock him. Atleast till he is big enough to reach.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
If your in a bad mood - don't start the training. No good will come from taking out your frustrations during a training session.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Remember, even when your not training, your puppy is learning.
Re: Words of Wisdom
it takes longer to teach a dog correct behaviour then for them to learn wrong behaviour....ruth
providing a dog with a good foundation in training early on is a must!!....ruth
providing a dog with a good foundation in training early on is a must!!....ruth
GUNDOGS SHORTCREEK IRON HORSE (HARLEY)
Re: Words of Wisdom
Sometimes, to move forward, you have to take a step back.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Spend a few bucks on an hour or 2 with a professional trainer- they are worth their weight in gold. Doesn't matter if it's your first or 10th dog- use a trainer for at least an hour session. They will be able to idedntify what your hurdles will be. And really- you're getting trained, not your dog. Take what you learn home and lots of yardwork and practice. Birds, birds, birds.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
If anyone out there is most interested in training a grouse dog, here is one thing i found that will help you but more birds in your game bag. If you have any dove in your area, find out where some of them roost and about a half hour before dark walk your dog to ther roosting area (upwind) very slowly, you won't see the birds, they will be in good cover ( protection ) from owls and other predatory creatures, but your puppy should pick up their scent, when he does stand still and let him do his thing, eventually the dove will loose it's nerve and flush, let your puppy chase it; two things happen here. 1. Your puppy will learn fast he can't catch it. 2. He will learn that birds do hide in tree tops, as do many grouse. You will find the same dove in the same tree the following evening, do this often enough and your puppy will learn that birds are not just on the ground and the day will come when your dog goes on point in the grouse woods, you will learn to look at your dogs eyes to see where he's looking; don't be surprised to see those eyes checking out the tree tops.
- flpucknut
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Re: Words of Wisdom
1. May I be half the man my bird dog thinks I am.
2. They are not machines, they are all different and should be treated so.
3. 99.9% of errors in the field are human problems, not dog.
4. Go solo once in a while and just follow and watch your dog without any corrections. You might be very surprised as to what happens.
2. They are not machines, they are all different and should be treated so.
3. 99.9% of errors in the field are human problems, not dog.
4. Go solo once in a while and just follow and watch your dog without any corrections. You might be very surprised as to what happens.
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
My number 1 training rule.
Every training method or technique is correct ( right technique), when used with the right dog.
Every training method or technique is correct ( right technique), when used with the right dog.
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Re: Words of Wisdom
just a few things I've learned with Bella so far. If they even hint to getting bored, stop. Learn from that and always end the session positive and before they've lose interest. If you lose your temper with the dog you've lost any progress you've made that session.
Keep the comments goin, I've learned so much in the hour and a half I've been reading this.
Keep the comments goin, I've learned so much in the hour and a half I've been reading this.
Learning!
Re: Words of Wisdom
Stole this quote from a book that is not about dog training:
"Mistakes are inevitable. But smart people don't nurture them."
"Mistakes are inevitable. But smart people don't nurture them."
- GSPDoglover
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Re: Words of Wisdom
The most important command is the sit command. If your dog is steady on the flush the battle is half won.
- ultracarry
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Re: Words of Wisdom
I hope you were joking with the sit thing?GSPDoglover wrote:The most important command is the sit command. If your dog is steady on the flush the battle is half won.
4&5 commands, one to turn, one to fetch, one to kennel, one for recall and whoa is optional.. Sit is not needed but required/desired for some dog games.
- GSPDoglover
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Re: Words of Wisdom
Wasn't joking. Sit is probably the easiest command to teach, and usually the first. It is used in initial obedience training. Once established the rest of the commands are easier to teach.
The worst thing a dog can do whilst hunting is chase after a flushed bird, as it is dangerous to the dog. So with a simple sit command you can teach the dog to sit on flush, untill he does it automatically.
If the sit command is enforced and you are able to have the dog sit on command at say a 100yards you have better controll and from there you can recall the dog if neccesary.
The worst thing a dog can do whilst hunting is chase after a flushed bird, as it is dangerous to the dog. So with a simple sit command you can teach the dog to sit on flush, untill he does it automatically.
If the sit command is enforced and you are able to have the dog sit on command at say a 100yards you have better controll and from there you can recall the dog if neccesary.
- ultracarry
- GDF Junkie
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Re: Words of Wisdom
A very bad thing your dog can also do is sit while going through the breaking process. Your dog will revert to sitting because its the "go to" command.
Have you ever wondered why pointing people train "WHOA" its better for the dog so you don't have to fix "sit" later. Pointing breeds are not dumb by any means and whoa is easy even for a puppy. I don't know how you use your dogs or the setting you run them but its not good practice out here.
To blow a whistle or yell and have the dog sit at a dead run would be more like having a trained lab.
Have you ever wondered why pointing people train "WHOA" its better for the dog so you don't have to fix "sit" later. Pointing breeds are not dumb by any means and whoa is easy even for a puppy. I don't know how you use your dogs or the setting you run them but its not good practice out here.
To blow a whistle or yell and have the dog sit at a dead run would be more like having a trained lab.
Re: Words of Wisdom
Sitting is not allowed in the field for any pointing dog competition and no one wants a pointing dog to ever sit. That may work well with retrievers but NEVER with a pointer. If I don't want my dog to chase I teach by training the dog to stop to the flush or if necessary using the whoa command. If I want the dog to come I teach come and when the dog is doing something I don't want it to I teach STOP. And I never teach any of those things by teaching sit. And I really don't think you will find any that does.
Ezzy
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
- Coveyrise64
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Re: Words of Wisdom
GSPDogLover is from South Africa. I think the expectations they have for their hunting dogs, field trials and test are different from what is desired here in the US and might require different training styles.
Coveyrise64
Coveyrise64
VC TJ's Highfalutin Hawkeye MH, UTI R.I.P. 4/29/05-12/18/18
Thunderhead's All Jacked Up R.I.P. "My Buddy" 9/9/09-1/27/14
VC TJ's Miss Filson MH, UTI R.I.P. 5/13/03-10/15/14
"I'd rather train for perfection than fix the problems of mediocrity" ~ Me
Thunderhead's All Jacked Up R.I.P. "My Buddy" 9/9/09-1/27/14
VC TJ's Miss Filson MH, UTI R.I.P. 5/13/03-10/15/14
"I'd rather train for perfection than fix the problems of mediocrity" ~ Me