Help with 1st pup

L

Lumberjack22

New member
Hello everyone, like I mentioned in my introduction in about 4 weeks I will be driving down to pick up my new pup. He is a Brittany with a lot of potential of being a great hunter. The sire is 2xNAFC/FC/AFC Maxwells Blew By You II and the dam is a 3yr old that has attained her junior hunter title.

Since this is my first pup I was wondering if you guys out there with a wealth of knowledge could impart some wisdom on me as I go through the training process the first time.

Please let me know anything books, videos, web sites I should be reading up on. (I already have subscriptions to Gun Dog and Pointing Dog Journal.) Equipment you feel are must haves, training progression schedules, tips, hints or anything else you would advise I do before I bring home my new hunting partner. Again this is my 1st bid dog and I want as much help as I can get.
 
First, take a deep breath, and slow down. :) You got time. :)

Get a crate--easily the best training tool for a pup.

Then, let him/it be a puppy. Sounds silly, but mostly he's gonna teach himself hunting stuff; you will be giving directional instructions. As you can, let him wander around outside with you as much as possible. Take him for short rides in the car; spend time with him.

There's no "right" age for a pup to do anything; ignore all books which tell which day of which month the dog should be introduced to...say...flying an airplane. It is up to the individual pup.

In a few months, you can be casual about playing with pheasant wings or making loud noises in the house, but for quite a while, just have fun with your bundle of fur.

It is a nice time of life.

:)
 
Get him in a puppy kindergarten through a community Ed class. This is not about teaching just socializing. Exposé the pup to stuff and let him have fun. The old saying let a pup be a pup is good advice. Be positive But not permissive I don't promote bad habits by rewarding them.
I am a retreiver guy so I cannot recommend any pointer specific training material. Hillman's sound beginnings has a great reputation for a solid basics program. Don't get caught up in any kind of time frame for training. Have fun
Steve
 
Thanks guys, these are the types of things I was hoping to hear. Although this is MY first bird dog, I have been raised around them my whole life. My dad has always owned weimeraners. Just wanted more imput so I could take what I liked. My biggest fear with the new dog is that im going to do something that hinders the pups hunting ability. Just want to foster along whats already in him.
 
Lumberjack22 said:
Thanks guys, these are the types of things I was hoping to hear. Although this is MY first bird dog, I have been raised around them my whole life. My dad has always owned weimeraners. Just wanted more imput so I could take what I liked. My biggest fear with the new dog is that im going to do something that hinders the pups hunting ability. Just want to foster along whats already in him.
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Make sure the puppy has fun and approach your training sessions with the goal of building up the pups boldness and confidence in himself and his hunting ability. Be reluctant to punish and praise him up the same way we vote here in Oklahoma, "early and often" if you determine he is too headstrong or independent get him to a professional trainer. Never give a command you cannot enforce and in other words never give a command you don't intend to enforce.

Good luck!!
 
Let pup develop at its own pace. Gotta be patient. You should have spot on dog for next season.
 
You asked for a book, best book I've found:

http://www.navhda.org/book.html

This is old school/pre e-collar, short and sweet, and there might be some recommended punishment techniques that are not needed included. Like the others said the dog will hunt, so obedience is what needs to be trained. Here, heel, whoa, fetch, leave.

Have fun with your new puppy.
 
Thank you guys for the input, I really do appreciate it. So the general thing im starting to notice from the responses it to let the pup be a pup and not pressure him and also that general obedience should be my primary focus.

Again if anyone else has something to add it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Riding along side ya in the same boat. Just picked up gsp puppy Friday night, my fifth time at this, first time in 19 years I brought new pup home, last 2 were born here. Got her chained up here in kitchen, makin a racket, not happy, just ignore her. When she calms down and lays on her bed, I go over and praise her. Not gonna reward her for undesirable behavior. Sleeps in crate near me for now, move further away as she adjusts to new environment. Have NAVHDA book, plan on getting her(Gretchen, good German name) and I in and run her
N A test. Right now just being a pup, taking her outside often to do her business, redirect her attention to deer shed when she tries to chew on shoes(hopefully she will assist in finding them later in life), repeating her name often, and praising her when she does good!
 
Get her in a collar right up front. Gives you a handle and it will be your "point of contact" for life. You need to teach her all about freedom and confinement. Her box should be her refuge, not a punishment. Take her for short drives until she will tolerate longer ones. Every time you put her in the box tell her "kennel". You'll be amazed how fast she learns what that means. Buy a beef liver and boil it until it firms up a bit. Cut it up in sugar cube sized squares and wrap those 10-12 in foil packages. Every day or so take her to the hallway or some space similar with a helper. Divide the package of treats between you and your partner. Have 1 hold the pup and the other comes forward and lets the pup smell the treat. Have the helper with the treat back off and kneel down, make a stop sign with the hand then use that hand to slap their thigh and say come or here (whatever you are going to use). Release the pup. Helper gives treat when pup arrives and then turns the pup around and you present a cube. Repeat until cubes are gone. Done until tomorrow. A few days and come will be learned. Enforcement over time will make it fixed.

Walk her in light cover like she will hunt at every possible opportunity. If you have pigeons or pen quail, you could introduce her as she gains confidence with the walks. You could hook a 4 foot 1/4 inch rope to her collar as she gains confidence. Let her drag it along as you walk. At ~16 weeks, if she's bold enough, introduce her to the stake out chain. Watch her while she's on it and she will tell you what her personality is. When she quiets down you can take her off. Don't leave her on unsupervised. With everything, be consistent. Have the wife and kids (if you have them) use the same commands as you do. Have fun with it. Remember that freedom is just as important as the confinement. Do as much of it yourself as you can and she will look to you as the leader.
 
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