A pointer that lies.

okbirdhunter · Post by **okbirdhunter** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:02 am

My pointer goes on point sometimes and there is nothing there. Most of the time there are birds there, but every now and then she tells a little fib. what should i do with her to help stop this? Maybe just get her into more birds? Any advice will help.

snips · Post by **snips** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:49 pm

Not letting a dog work scent out on their own can cause this. Reinforcing Whoa everytime a dog points, either verbally or with a ecollar if the dog tries to move after pointing can make them afraid to move or work thru scent on their on. Or, he may just need more experience to trust his nose.

Hotpepper · Post by **Hotpepper** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:15 pm

how old is the dog.?

Take the dog wild bird hunting, to physically stop it will cause the dog to start blinking birds and not pointing just moving off.

Be very careful, playing with dynomite and the future as a hunting dog.

Pepperr

birdshot · Post by **birdshot** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:17 pm

matt, my pointer, almost two years old, has a thing about pointing reptiles. i pretty much expect her to be pointing a lizard, or snake if she is looking at the base of a yucca plant. she remains staunch, and will not relocate if she is pointing a reptile. i have to pull her off, and cast her off away from the area she pointed. i am guessing she will eventually get over pointing off game just by my failure to give praise for her false pointing.
by reading the point, i can tell the difference between her pointing a bird that has moved because her point softens and she begins to look around waiting for her release. in the fore mentioned case of pointing reptiles there is no relaxing, so i still try and flush a bird though keeping a sharp eye for snakes.
the third case of false points, involves stink birds, and rabbits. these points usually involve her tail flagging. if she is pointing with a moving tail i call her in. and cast off in the opposite direction.
i think your idea to get her into more birds is the right answer. How is the quail hunting in Ok this year? Is your hunting area in the vicinity of the wild fires from last year?

NE Vizsla · Post by **NE Vizsla** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:08 pm

Wasn't there a article on this very thing in the latest issue of Gun Dog Magazine ? I know I read something about it in there, check it out if you get the magazine. I'll look again when I get a chance.

TAK · Post by **TAK** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:30 pm

Trust the dog! Very good chance the bird is running.