How young’s too young?

[Jpace]

That is a good question for that trainer as to why they wait. When most pointing dog trainers want to do the gun, collar, and some obedience. My last two have started that process at 4 months it takes about a month. Then let the dog hunt wild birds for a year before the breaking process begins. Pointing breeds and flushing breeds are different in that aspect I guess.

 

[westksbowhunter]

That is a good question for that trainer as to why they wait. When most pointing dog trainers want to do the gun, collar, and some obedience. My last two have started that process at 4 months it takes about a month. Then let the dog hunt wild birds for a year before the breaking process begins. Pointing breeds and flushing breeds are different in that aspect I guess.

Well that was a rhetorical question. I know exactly why they wait.

 

[Skadergen]

The Smith Method of Bird Dog Training with Rick Smith

The basic tenets and takeaways from the Huntsmith training system, developed by world-renowned bird dog trainers Rick and Ronnie Smith.

projectupland.com

Transitioning a Dog from Training and Testing to Hunting Wild Birds

This guide will help you troubleshoot and transition onto wild birds with your pointing dog this hunting season

projectupland.com

Below is a quote from your article, which is from the Smith’ which when I follow their process thoroughly, I feel confident I have the capacity to develop a decent, (perhaps not perfect) hunter.

Is the Smith training method good for beginners?​

Speaking from personal experience as a beginner only a few years into the project of training my first bird dog, and from my assistance and/or witness of this method being employed with over a hundred handlers and dogs, I’d present the Smith system as one of the most beginner-friendly methods available. It’s a stair-step method, designed to offer safe harbor to a handler and dog by simply stepping back to previously-mastered steps in the process whenever new tasks are met with resistance. This gives the dog and handler a sufficient opportunity to both reinforce and shore up the handler’s leadership as well as digest the outlines of any new task. The Smith method is also one of the most fully-developed systems for beginners since there is a comprehensive set of resources available for introducing the key concepts and engaging in active, hands-on learning.

Beginners can start with the Huntsmith DVDs; the lessons introduced there can be extended considerably through Rick’s and Ronnie’s foundation, intermediate, and advanced seminars. Ronnie Smith, Susanna Love, and Reid Bryant also recently partnered to produce a comprehensive and stunningly beautiful history and guide to the Smith System: Training Bird Dogs with Ronnie Smith Kennels: Proven Techniques and an Upland Tradition. Some Smith method trainers are also starting to offer weekly dog training classes based on the method, which allows for continued hands-on work with beginners and their dogs, all the way up to and through advanced Smith method techniques. And for any who are looking for a window into the world of Smith dog training before the invention of the variable e-collars capable of cuing and not just correcting, I’d recommend that you get your hands on a copy of Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith Method. While the methods detailed there are undoubtedly from a much earlier version of the system, it helped me to understand the Smith concepts and evolved e-collar applications, having now read about their analog predecessors.

 

[westksbowhunter]

Below is a quote from your article, which is from the Smith’ which when I follow their process thoroughly, I feel confident I have the capacity to develop a decent, (perhaps not perfect) hunter.

Is the Smith training method good for beginners?​

Speaking from personal experience as a beginner only a few years into the project of training my first bird dog, and from my assistance and/or witness of this method being employed with over a hundred handlers and dogs, I’d present the Smith system as one of the most beginner-friendly methods available. It’s a stair-step method, designed to offer safe harbor to a handler and dog by simply stepping back to previously-mastered steps in the process whenever new tasks are met with resistance. This gives the dog and handler a sufficient opportunity to both reinforce and shore up the handler’s leadership as well as digest the outlines of any new task. The Smith method is also one of the most fully-developed systems for beginners since there is a comprehensive set of resources available for introducing the key concepts and engaging in active, hands-on learning.

Beginners can start with the Huntsmith DVDs; the lessons introduced there can be extended considerably through Rick’s and Ronnie’s foundation, intermediate, and advanced seminars. Ronnie Smith, Susanna Love, and Reid Bryant also recently partnered to produce a comprehensive and stunningly beautiful history and guide to the Smith System: Training Bird Dogs with Ronnie Smith Kennels: Proven Techniques and an Upland Tradition. Some Smith method trainers are also starting to offer weekly dog training classes based on the method, which allows for continued hands-on work with beginners and their dogs, all the way up to and through advanced Smith method techniques. And for any who are looking for a window into the world of Smith dog training before the invention of the variable e-collars capable of cuing and not just correcting, I’d recommend that you get your hands on a copy of Best Way to Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith Method. While the methods detailed there are undoubtedly from a much earlier version of the system, it helped me to understand the Smith concepts and evolved e-collar applications, having now read about their analog predecessors.

That's why I posted it. If you start with their DVD's system long before your pup arrives you can start setting your goals. Had you already done that we wouldn't have this post. Don't wait til after you get your pup to purchase and study the DVD's and training timeline. You have 2 months to get yourself up to date through the DVD's vs seeking advice on here. Once you purchase and read through their training program, your thoughts will change from taking a dog hunting at 7 months to what steps do I take to prepare my dog for it's first hunt in the field. It isn't about how old a dog can be to take hunting but about what you do and when to know when your dog is ready to go hunting. Good luck and don't rush that puppy. I would think a December timeline would be perfect to start taking that dog hunting. Mine are always ready at 10 months and have completed OB, CC, FF and all the field work by then. Good Luck!

Huntsmith Series Training DVDs + Gear

Huntsmith Series Training DVDs + Gear. All the techniques and equipment featured at Huntsmith Training Seminars Huntsmith: Puppy Development I, Huntsmith: Puppy Development II, Puppy Development I & II Set, Huntsmith: Silent Command System II, Training Bird Dogs with RONNIE SMITH KENNELS...

www.gundogsupply.com

 

[westksbowhunter]

I would also develop a flow chart for yourself. Something like this but for pointing dogs and one that meets your goals.

 

[Quailnerd]

You will do great, you seem curious to methods and ideas.. be patient and enjoy the ride.

 

[Quailnerd]

Dogs teach us more than we teach them anyway!

 

[Skadergen]

That's why I posted it. If you start with their DVD's system long before your pup arrives you can start setting your goals. Had you already done that we wouldn't have this post. Don't wait til after you get your pup to purchase and study the DVD's and training timeline. You have 2 months to get yourself up to date through the DVD's vs seeking advice on here. Once you purchase and read through their training program, your thoughts will change from taking a dog hunting at 7 months to what steps do I take to prepare my dog for it's first hunt in the field. It isn't about how old a dog can be to take hunting but about what you do and when to know when your dog is ready to go hunting. Good luck and don't rush that puppy. I would think a December timeline would be perfect to start taking that dog hunting. Mine are always ready at 10 months and have completed OB, CC, FF and all the field work by then. Good Luck!

Huntsmith Series Training DVDs + Gear

Huntsmith Series Training DVDs + Gear. All the techniques and equipment featured at Huntsmith Training Seminars Huntsmith: Puppy Development I, Huntsmith: Puppy Development II, Puppy Development I & II Set, Huntsmith: Silent Command System II, Training Bird Dogs with RONNIE SMITH KENNELS...

www.gundogsupply.com

I did post in #8 I have purchased and finished one of their videos, Puppy Development, and have the second(Puppy Development II ready to go. Also I am half way through Rick Smith’s book “Training Bird Dogs”

Wasn’t necessarily seeking advice as much as opinions, and engaging in some off season conversation while I wait for my pup.

 

[lubers]

Ok so I’m well aware, I I’m about 98% premature with this question, (so this is just for off season conversation) but if your pups too young to be up to speed, in October, is it bad to have them out during season if their not gun shy?

As a bck story, the pup I’m in line for for a pup who should be born at the beginning of March, so should be getting it in may. While I’m about 98% sure it won’t be close to an efficient or effective hunter in mid October, I can’t see how it would mess it up(as long as I get it properly introduced to gun fire). Essentially this should be a 7.5 month pup, I think I would definitely stay away on opening weekend. But cant think the hun would be much different than training. Am I way off?

Had my pup at the trainers for two months, she just turn 7.5 months. We went out in the field and he had two birds planted. She found and flushed both birds and brought back to hand. Following week I set up a 6 bird hunt at a local game farm. We ended up getting 5 birds and were brought back to hand. We have another pup coming from the same breeder/trainer that should be ready to go home around April. Hope to have her ready also around November or December for a trip out to South Dakota.

 

[Skadergen]

Had my pup at the trainers for two months, she just turn 7.5 months. We went out in the field and he had two birds planted. She found and flushed both birds and brought back to hand. Following week I set up a 6 bird hunt at a local game farm. We ended up getting 5 birds and were brought back to hand. We have another pup coming from the same breeder/trainer that should be ready to go home around April. Hope to have her ready also around November or December for a trip out to South Dakota.

Not only is that impressive that’s encouraging for sure!