Is he too old to start hunting?

[SmokieRiver]

I have a 2 year old Vizsla that I wanted to start hunting, but with work and having a newborn, I never really got him started. I now have time and was going to start working with him with the intent to have him ready for next season. The question I have is he too old to really get started?

 

[Phil V.]

I have a gsp that I started training when she was 2 1/2 and she is catching on quick.

 

[ranchodeluxe]

I have a rescue dog that was 15 months when I got him.He knew his name and little else.I got him Labor Day2011 and he is doing very well.Sounds like you have a relationship with the dog long established and he/she probably has a strong desire to please you.You likely have an idea about the dogs instincts as well.I think you are way ahead of where we started.

 

[Kismet]

Go for it. Make it fun. Don't assume anything. Just play. Get some pheasant wings from gundogsupply or someplace and use them as "special" play with high praise and quick reward--diminishing to occasional reward to taking out the wing is reward in and of itself.

My GWP, Young Bert, was over two before he got out of his backyard prison, and Mick, the new, used, dog, a field Springer Spaniel was four or five before I got him from rescue. YB was a wonder, and Mick is in love with hunting and retrieving my meager game successes.

Frozen quail can be great for eliminating a hard bite before it develops...and you can do it just sitting on the kitchen floor, where you are close enough to immediately correct the dog.

Can be great fun.

Best wishes.

 

[V-John]

Radar is a vizsla that I ended up keeping whom I was fostering. I don't know how old he is. This is his first year and he's done very well. He stands nicely and will back. I started him just like a puppy. Bird intro, gun intro, and CC work. He had some prey drive and I developed that into a love of birds. He makes a very nice little hunting dog. None of my four vizslas have seen a wing and never will. I use pigeons, quail. Much more effective but I understand if you don't have birds readily available. I'd be happy to go into more detail via PM if you like.

 

[SmokieRiver]

Thank you for the great input.

V-John, I'll probably take you up on the IM for more detail.

 

[FCSpringer]

No and no since the forum won't let me say just no. Your dog is not tooo old.:thumbsup:

 

[V-John]

Thank you for the great input.

V-John, I'll probably take you up on the IM for more detail.

Sure thing, let me know.

 

[BritChaser]

Be patient. Sometimes such dogs go hunting with you and nothing clicks, and then the next time out it seems like a switch gets thrown. A little back yard fetch with something with some pheasant feathers attached might be good. A walk in the field with a few surprise firearm discharges might be good, as if loud noises are just part of being out in a field on a fun walk. One thing is sure: You can't force a dog to hunt. If they hunt, it is because they want to. Just conduct yourself so that your dog wants to hunt.

 

[V-John]

A walk in the field with a few surprise firearm discharges might be good, as if loud noises are just part of being out in a field on a fun walk.

This may have worked for you, but I wouldn't do it that way. Too many variables that could go wrong, and then you could end up with a gunshy dog.

I'm not running down your method, but.... Not something I would do.

 

[Sapphire]

Kismet hit the nail on the head in my opinion!