An attempt to get some more conversation going...

[Huntingonthebrain]

Jixer has been kind enough to give me some really good advice for training my brit. But I thought that perhaps I might ask a question from you other brit and pointer people to generate some conversation. The question is: If you had a pointer that was just under a year (about 11 months) how would you start training your dog at this point to have him/her ready for fall hunting? Which commands would you be focusing on ? what types of drills or techniques would you use. What has worked for you.. what has not? Ok so that is more than one question. Here is my thinking. Message boards threads stick around for a while and as I understand it, this board is to share knowledge and love for the sporting dogs, so.... Go to it you gurus of training.. lay it on us rookies. Thanks in advance.

Ohh.. one more thing... the age of the dog doesn't really matter to me... just more interested in training techniques (my dog is just under year- hence the question from that perspective).

[Spear]

Age of the dog is not always important. My last dog was a lab that just received basic training and obedience for the first three years of her life. Then I got into hunting. She learned very quick and became an excellent hunter and hunted very effectively to the end even when she was nearly blind. Some guys talk about starting their dog on wings and birds at a young age and then I read about guys who just do the basic training and then start the dog on birds when they are about two years old. My two year old Brit is just coming into his own now and training is becoming easier. Of course I don't consider myself to be a trained trainer like Maverick or Jixer here.

[Jixer]

Of course I don't consider myself to be a trained trainer like Maverick or Jixer here.

LOL. I just muddle through best I can! I figure if I keep buying dogs, I'll get it right eventually.

[johnsbritt]

when nikkas was young i would go for walks in the woods by my house and get her use to walking in areas simular to where i would hunt. i would have 2 pidgeons in my coat and when i came to a spot that would look like it should hold a grouse (example small spruce) i would dizzy a bird and drop it without nikka seeing it then i would return from down wind and put a check cord on her.

[Huntingonthebrain]

Jixer: to humble

JohnsBritt: great idea..... though unless there was alot to distract my pup, he would notice I was trying to put a bird down. Did you have him off leash when you did this? I don't trust my dog off leash yet... he doesn't come back when I call well enough for me to do that. Freaks me out actually. Still working on that one

[Spear]

It took me a while to get my dog to come back as well. So I started bringing him to a large dog park and just walked as fast as I could. Eventually he did not like being left behind and runs to keep up to the area around me and only plays with other dogs near me. If I walk on so does he. The best thing that ever happened was in the woods, where I also like to walk, Trigger took off like there was no tomorrow. I could not find him he could not find me. After about 45 min. of looking we found each other and he was all over me like I was his best friend. He doesn't do it much anymore and from time to time I will hide on him to get him worried. It is natural for Brits to roam further afield than labs and that took a bit of adjusting for me.

[Huntingonthebrain]

man.. I don't know that I would feel comfortable letting me dog go in the woods.. what if I couldn't find him... gives me the shivers just thinking about it
The dog park idea is good.. I might give that a try.. I would be devastated if I could not find my dog though in the woods

[johnsbritt]

like i said first you take her for walks. the younger you take her off leash the easier i find it. i would walk and any time she started to run to far i would hide behind a tree and call her. she would get scared looking for me and she would start learning to always look back to see where i was. only when she was off leash and snooping around i would then remove the bird, a quick dizzy and she would never see. if you walk with someone who has a dog that doesn't roam to far you could walk together this way she will always follow the other dog and learn not to run to far.

[Huntingonthebrain]

Johnsbritt were you still letting the dog off the leash in a somewhat confined area???

[johnsbritt]

i had her off leash from 8weeks old. i walked her in a leash free park that is a conservation area. its a huge piece of property. i stuck to open areas, brought her favorite toy and ball. i never had her on a leash . if you are concerned start collar conditioning her. before doing any hunting training first work on come and heel. wake up early and go to a local tennis court. its fully fenced and big enough for you to work with her.

[verno]

I would say for the first year, as long as the dog is not gunshy the most important thing is that the dog will come back when you call it. Other than that let the wild birds teach him.
As for having them off leash, I try to use the leash as little as possible. I use it pretty much only when I am near roads and try to let him have as much leash free time as possible. When we started going to the dog park we would avoid crowded times/places, and introduce him slowly.

[Maverick]

My female Dixie was hunting at 9 months old. She had her first point on wild birds ( ruffed grouse ) at that age. I am very insistent on the dog listening to the " Hear " command. Not just some of the time but all of the time.
That command will get you through your first fall hunting, if you have 'Whoa" lined up with that then you are off and running but it is hard to fully whoa break a young dog with out putting to much pressure on them.
You also have to make sure the dog is conditioned for the gun before you start hunting them as well, some else has said that as well before me.
You can start off with a cap gun while your pup is off chasing a bird and progress to blank guns and so on. Do not move on from one to the other until the pup pays no attention what so ever to the shot at all.
After sound condition the pup to gun shots or while doing it some check cord work on birds is also a must so the young dog knows to hold point and to let you flush the bird.
You have some fun ahead of you this summer. Lots of great stuff for you and the pup to learn together. Enjoy your time out there with the pup.
Maybe come on out to the Brittany Spaniel Club of Ontarions Field Dog test at Luther Marsh. Meet a bunch of othet like minded folks and see some people run their dogs. If your pup if ready maybe run her in Field Dog Junior.
It will be a learning experience for both of you. I know it is for me every time I go out.

Mav.....

[Huntingonthebrain]

It took me a while to get my dog to come back as well. So I started bringing him to a large dog park and just walked as fast as I could. Eventually he did not like being left behind and runs to keep up to the area around me and only plays with other dogs near me. If I walk on so does he. The best thing that ever happened was in the woods, where I also like to walk, Trigger took off like there was no tomorrow. I could not find him he could not find me. After about 45 min. of looking we found each other and he was all over me like I was his best friend. He doesn't do it much anymore and from time to time I will hide on him to get him worried. It is natural for Brits to roam further afield than labs and that took a bit of adjusting for me.

Dude!!!! This worked.. I took Machaceh to a dog park in london last night and turned him loose... my wife and just kept walking... he lost sight of us very quickly but did not come back... so we left him for a bit and he started playing with another couple and their beagle. Eventually we walked back to where he was. I called and he looked and bee lined for us.... Submission pee everywhere. From that point on for the rest of the night he did not go more than 50 yards from us and most of the time stayed alot closer than that. This was an awesome idea. Thanks... now he knows to roam, but always be looking for where I am. He still needs work on coming when I call in a wide area.. but that will come in time.

Thanks also to Jixer who told me to trust my dog. This advise in conjunction with what I have already stated has paid off.

Might I also say.... this is the strength of this messageboard. I needed help and a couple of guys suggested some ideas. I am excited that I was able to get some free, quality advice. Anyone reading who is afraid to ask a question because it sounds stupid.... Don't be!!! The guys and gals here are extremely patient and helpful. Thanks all