Gsp Pup Training.

[mark williams 7,551]

Need some advice please, i have a male GSP of just 4 months and am letting him learn to find the odd game scent, teaching him obedience,etc etc.Just slowly bringing him into field walking.

Anyway here is my mistake whilst walking him - a Magpie came well within range of me and not thinking i shot it. My dog is rock solid to gunfire because we are always near guns in training but he retrieved the magpie and halfway back decided to run off with it and stay at distance from me.He also chewed the dead bird badly.

Beating myself up over this stupid mistake and will leave the gun behind now.

How should i get that bird out of his memory.

 

Thanks for any advice.

[Casso 1,261]

The novelty of the shot bird overwhelmed the group situation of the two of you , getting to mouth a freshly shot prey item evokes instinctive behaviour in any pup,

The thing is not to make a fuss over it and not to fall out with the pup over it, he needs to feel that you and him are on the same page so to speak

 

Gradually as the novelty wears off and you two have build a bond through calms walks together I don't see how it will have a long lasting effect

 

The development of the group mind through shared mooching experience will be foundation of the future bond not the obedience,

You were half way to a natural retrieve, with a good understanding between you in the next few months it can only be built upon ,

You can look at the glass been half full or half empty , it's a work in progress bud ,

Best of luck with the pup

[mark williams 7,551]

Needed that little bit of reassurance thank you Casso.

I trained a lurcher to a good standard years ago but feel as though i am treading on rice paper with a GSP, what age for the dog would be acceptable for him regards to shot bird retrieves guys in the field ? -

I have allowed him to retrieve shot pigeons on a long line in my garden with lots of short lessons and short distances for a week now and he is taking well to it.If he`s a tad unwilling to return with the bird i encourage by gently pulling in the long line, voice and a liver treat,- the treat makes him let go of the bird you see, so he gets a click from my clicker,a pat and treat.With no treat he is very resentful in letting go of the bird.

 

Again thank you for any advice.

[Casso 1,261]

You know Mark I wouldn't be in a panic to get the finished article yet as in the perfect retrieve,

 

I'm always interested with having the pup comfortable in my space with its prey item first, the hand over will come , praise the pup with the item in its mouth instead of adding panic and urgency to get your hands on its prey, usually when owners are panicky and fast moving towards pups perceive something wrong through experience ,

 

As far as age goes Mark you will get 101 different answers to that one but for me once the introduction is positive and your always the good guy with the pup believing that you are instrumental to him getting his prey I don't see an issue because for me obedience training causes more issues and confrontations started too young , obedience doesn't build bonds , group activity does

[bell 3,595]

He's only 4 months mate !!!!!......now I'm no trainer and I'm sure there will be others along soon who will be able to give you sound advice but 4 months is way way too soon to start having him retrieve birds. You just need to be spending time bonding with him.

Enjoy him as a pup

 

Bell

[steverob 0]

Hiya Mark

Im no expert either but I agree that 4 months is way too early for cold game retrieves. Also be careful of giving treats for the retrieve, you will end up with him getting into the habit of spitting out the retrieve in anticipation of the treat. As said above, lots of praise when sitting with the game in his mouth so he knows thats when the task is finished.

 

All the best

Stevie

[stroller 341]

you will limit your training opportunity's if the dog wont pick up dummy's as he only wants game. by that I mean its easy to have a ball or a dummy in your pocket when out walking for blinds and memory retrieves. He has a long way to go before any sort of feather/game is introduced.

 

Any pointer is an investment in a long training regime, good luck with the pup