Dog Dilemma

jonnyB said:
George,

Have you thought about working your dog at a preserve? Assume you know about the one at Clear Lake. I found investing in working the dog under a semi-controlled setting does wonders for the dog and the trainer. When Max was a puppy (at 7yr still?) we would hunt at Major Ave.. Still try and get out every fall for a tuned up...
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Clear Lake or Gary? I know Will Stone that has the place near Gary, SD. Cheaper for me to drive over to the Minnesota Heartland Preserve by Granite Falls, MN. I also know Richard and Terry Fagen there. Chukars are $16 each and pheasants $24. (4 bird min.) I was there in April and may run back over for a day next week.
 
George?

I'll betcha a shiny nickel that if she did point early on, she WILL point later on. I'll even pay postage.

She's just screwing around in high school; she'll come around once she works out the relationship.

It's gonna be great--honest!

:thumbsup:
 
George,

Clear Lake - google" Dakota Ridge". It's a preserve so I assume they stock birds. Their web site didn't discuss prices; might be worth a phone call as they are fairly close to you...605-874-2908.
 
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George: How is the dog responding to the E-collar? I noticed it was on the dog in the photo's.

Did the Colorado trainer introduce Bree to birds or was it another person? Curious....This step made a huge difference with respect to "prey drive" in my past three dogs!

When my current dog was learning the ropes, I managed to walk him (no charge) at a hunting/preserve close to Minneapolis. I didn't carry a gun; the owner allowed me to walk around during the week. I think I did send him a check at the end of the season thanking him for the opportunity, to get Max on birds. Just a thought for you going forward.

Good luck and happy hunting!
 
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she looks real nice to me, I bet she's going to turn out exceptionally well.

The real intense crazy ones always seem to turn out great when they get a little maturity on them
 
jonnyB said:
George: How is the dog responding to the E-collar? I noticed it was on the dog in the photo's.

Did the Colorado trainer introduce Bree to birds or was it another person? Curious....This step made a huge difference with respect to "prey drive" in my past three dogs!
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Jon check your eye sight. :) No e-collar on in the picks. The orange collar is just my standard dog collar. She was e-collar condition by me before she went to the trainer. I don't have to correct her very often in the field. She responds well to either voice or whistle commands.

I think the original breeder had introduced her to some birds before I got her at 6 months. She certainly had a lot of bird exposure this summer in Colorado. 2 months worth. There is no lack of prey drive as she is bird nuts. Hell, anything that flies. She has some great points on butterflies in the backyard but that is sight pointing. I'm going to agree with bobman and say she'll figure it out in time.
 
Talked to a trainer in Nebraska that also has this line of dogs and is very familiar with them. He says it's not slow maturity. I basically told him everything about my dog including her allergy problem. He came to a conclusion that might have some merit. After my dog was at the trainer's in Colorado for 2-3 weeks and living in an outdoor kennel her nose seemed to come alive and the remainder of the time did very well. So I get her back the end of July and so now for 2 months she has been living in our house. He thinks her nose issue and allergies might very well be related to something in our house. She was tested for allergies and on item that was positive was dust mites which every home has. I don't know, he might be on to something. I have a call into my vet to discuss it with him. Problem is I have no outdoor kennel nor do I have a place for one. Besides my dogs have always been house dogs and that's the way I want it. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
 
Hmmm - difficult to diagnose. Didn't the dog exhibit allergies while in AZ? Maybe it's not your house, but any house. It probably won't change the dog's allergy issues, even if you had an outside facility, for some of the time. Is there a shot for "dust-mite allergy"?

Recommendation: get him on lots of birds...

Hope he comes around!
 
Dakotazeb,

I have a lab but love all dogs. I was following your thread(s) on Bree and the allergy issue. Hoping to learn and hoping for a great outcome. Now I see this and feel for you and your wife. Almost brought a tear to my eye. I think you made a good decision on keeping Bree. I think either would have been a good decision but you guys let your hearts decide...and good for you! I wish you the very best moving forward. She is a looker! I think her super high drive is going to help as she matures. She will have "it" and become more "bird savvy" and you will end up with a GREAT hunting dog/companion. I agree with the above about getting her to the preserves.

Heck, my Remi is in heat(doesnt take to diapers too well), so just the last couple weeks do not seem right at home with her not being able to roam around the house. I understand the relationships(shes 9 months) and bonds grow fast and strong for some...most of us!

Bree, you've got some great owners it seems!
 
outdoorslife89 said:
Dakotazeb,

I have a lab but love all dogs. I was following your thread(s) on Bree and the allergy issue. Hoping to learn and hoping for a great outcome. Now I see this and feel for you and your wife. Almost brought a tear to my eye. I think you made a good decision on keeping Bree. I think either would have been a good decision but you guys let your hearts decide...and good for you! I wish you the very best moving forward. She is a looker! I think her super high drive is going to help as she matures. She will have "it" and become more "bird savvy" and you will end up with a GREAT hunting dog/companion. I agree with the above about getting her to the preserves.

Heck, my Remi is in heat(doesnt take to diapers too well), so just the last couple weeks do not seem right at home with her not being able to roam around the house. I understand the relationships(shes 9 months) and bonds grow fast and strong for some...most of us!

Bree, you've got some great owners it seems!
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Thanks for the kind words. I'm going to give her every chance, maybe get to another trainer next spring or summer. She's got a lot of very good qualities just have to get her pointing those birds.
 
jonnyB said:
George,

Clear Lake - google" Dakota Ridge". It's a preserve so I assume they stock birds. Their web site didn't discuss prices; might be worth a phone call as they are fairly close to you...605-874-2908.
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George: Any luck with the Dakota Ridge people?
 
jonnyB said:
George: Any luck with the Dakota Ridge people?
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Haven't called them. From their web site my guess is they are probably too spendy and may not cater to the guy wanting them to put out a few birds to tune your dog up on. Guess I could call and find out.
 
Dakotazeb said:
Haven't called them. From their web site my guess is they are probably too spendy and may not cater to the guy wanting them to put out a few birds to tune your dog up on. Guess I could call and find out.
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You are a potential customer that could (conceivably) bring them new business -can't imagine they would push you away or otherwise alienate you! Most business' cannot afford not to accommodate new customers...

Good Luck!
 
My last 30 years of experience with Brittany's is that get'em on birds is the key . Is your pup 'blinking " ( acknowledge / scent ) birds ? I have a dog in my kennel that has blinked quite a few quail but doesn't do it on pheasant as of yet . I got her as a started dog and my concern is that she wasn't properly introduced to the gun . Let us know how she does when she has had more bird exposure . I with the poster that bet a shiny nickel she turn out just fine .
 
Saw a glimmer of hope in the field today. Went across the state line to Minnesota for their opener. Have a friend over there with 3 quarters of CRP. Bree and I were in the field for about 3 hours and she found 3 hens. The first two I saw her working the scent and then the hens flushed. But when we were almost done for the day she went over a little hill to my right. When she didn't come when called I walked over the hill and found her locked up solid on a nice point. She remained steady while I went in front of her and flushed a hen. She did release on the flush but just to see her finally point a pheasant made my day. Hopefully it is the first of many to come. I was so excited she was actually on point that I forgot to snap a pic. :)
 
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