Off season with the pup

K

KS-GSP-HUNTER

New member
Hey all i was just curious to what everyone does with their dogs in the off season. Such as training or running them in the fields?? I ask b/c i had my 10month old GSP pup going good at the end of the season. I really don't want to lose any ground that i've gained with her and start all over next season.

Only 227 more days until opening season.:D
 
I wonder the same thing too. My 10 month old Wirehair had an awesome first season and then like that, it was over. I put her on some chukars two weeks ago which was a lot of fun (she hadn't lost a step) but aside from that I recently introduced the e-collar to her and so I'm pretty much focusing on teaching her to whoa from the tone on the collar and reinforcing obedience. Lots of retrieving and swimming plans for the summer. I am also working on teaching her to find elk sheds and pick up her own poop. :) I don't think I've ever been so anxious for a pheasant season to start though.
 
A couple weekends ago we did a European shoot on Saturday. Sunday was cleanup day, took the dogs out, and probably had a couple dozen points, got her to work with 2 other dogs.

I live in the country, so my dog gets to run in the yard, she still likes to point song birds sitting on the bird feeder, so I use that as an opportunity to work on solid 'whoa' and keep her from creeping when I walk past her.

I've got a frozen pheasant in the freezer that I've been using as a retrieving dummy, to supplement the canvas dummies and the Dolkin (sp?) pheasant sized dummy, it adds some realism to the yard training, where in the past she would retrieve store bought dummies no problem, but would just kind of play with an actual bird out in the field.
 
I'm not an expert by any means at all but the thing I think works best in the off season esp with a pup is just taking walks with them. Making sure to work the basic commands while on the walk. Make sure to go different places so the dog know that the commands you are giving it are not just for in the yard but in all different environments. Keep working on the basic commands and keep the fundamentals sharp. Both of my pointers are advanced in age 8 and 6 years and I still work with come, kennel and load up every summer.
 
RoosterTim said:
I'm not an expert by any means at all but the thing I think works best in the off season esp with a pup is just taking walks with them. Making sure to work the basic commands while on the walk. Make sure to go different places so the dog know that the commands you are giving it are not just for in the yard but in all different environments. Keep working on the basic commands and keep the fundamentals sharp. Both of my pointers are advanced in age 8 and 6 years and I still work with come, kennel and load up every summer.
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well said- all I do is let them out the gate- let them fly for awhile looking for one to not stick arround- meaning- if one starts to blast off across the field I holler the name and blow the whistle- sometimes there'll be a point and backs- pheasants sometimes are in the yard- it's just fun run and and if you don't stick arround you go back inside the fence-

really don't do any control or obedience work- I've never cared for a bird dog that wants to hang arround- sit- stay- lay down- heel- I want mine rolling when not inside the fenced in yard

just got back from the vet- they have a nice scale
all are lean
Shadow 48.1 lbs
Choc 39.8
Lizzi 36.2

2 cups of Diamond High Energy in the evening for each- I'll be weighing them again in July- expect right about the same
 
Mine hunts from Nov through March so he will get a couple of months off just to get some weight back on. He does walk with the wife and I in the mornings. I'll look for some hunt tests or NSTRA events to get him going after that. Start working a little in Sept and roading in Oct then it all starts over.
 
We run on wild birds right up until we have to quit for the nesting period. May 15-July 8 here. During that time I have a couple acre field that is a designated training area that we will do some steady work with libbies. Then once mid July rolls around, it's back to the woods/field.

Right now is a truly challenging time to get a pheasant pointed. They're old and smart and the cover is in the worse shape it can be. Getting them to hold now takes a special touch. Here's a couple of my 3 yr old shorthair getting it done last Sun. In full disclosure, we had a heck of a lot more stop-to-flushes than we did pointed birds. :D

I love the "oh chit, I just ran by one" pose.

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And here's a pic of a woodcock that had her mind on nesting enough that she let me get practically on top of her before she flushed. Great training birds in the Spring.

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The summer is fun time for my dogs, we try to not get to serious. I will let them run on some wild quail until about right now when they start nesting. I road them to keep in shape, throw them the frisbee (new favorite toy), and take them to the lake to jump off the dock. I may have a decent dock dog in my male, he can catch some good air. I was thinking about doing some hunt tests, but they are all pretty far away. I don't think my male lost any edge between his first and second season on this plan, he was still a machine on his first hunt back.:thumbsup:
 
BTW. :coolpics: GSP I had no clue how pretty those timber doodles actually are.
 
quail hound said:
BTW. :coolpics: GSP I had no clue how pretty those timber doodles actually are.
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They really are a fascinating little bird. Native American folk lore contends that the Gods put them together with all the left over parts from the rest of the forrest animals.

nice that you carry a camera
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Once our season closes on Jan 1, I put down the shotgun and pick up the camera.
 
FCSpringer said:
too bad some of us don't live closer. I tell ya this club training is a blast.:thumbsup: It is like hunting year round.:D
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I need to look into that. I imagine there is one of some sort close to home for me. It could also open up new hunting opportunities
as well. :D

GSP said:
Aren't all females stubborn... :D
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LOL! Indeed :cheers:
 
best you post on who within a reasonable distance would want to get together for a day of running the pointing dogs, camping out and telling stories over a campfire- and going out again the next day
 
Shadow said:
well said- all I do is let them out the gate- let them fly for awhile looking for one to not stick arround- meaning- if one starts to blast off across the field I holler the name and blow the whistle- sometimes there'll be a point and backs- pheasants sometimes are in the yard- it's just fun run and and if you don't stick arround you go back inside the fence-

really don't do any control or obedience work- I've never cared for a bird dog that wants to hang arround- sit- stay- lay down- heel- I want mine rolling when not inside the fenced in yard

just got back from the vet- they have a nice scale
all are lean
Shadow 48.1 lbs
Choc 39.8
Lizzi 36.2

2 cups of Diamond High Energy in the evening for each- I'll be weighing them again in July- expect right about the same
Click to expand...


2 cups of High Energy? My male is getting 3 cups of premium and can't keep weight on him...he's 42 lbs of all muscle, no fat. i was going to try the high energy but was told it run through them pretty good and more filler. sounds like your dogs keep weight on?
 
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