Training after 1 year old...now what?

Keep'er Movin

Keep'er Movin

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My griff Penny will turn 1 year old on February 13th. She is obviously potty trained, kennels in the truck, knows heel, whoa, here, down, sit, knows kennel in the house, has successfully hunted pheasants this year, has held point while hunting (some birds have flushed wildly obviously), ALWAYS retrieves to hand no matter if it is a bumper, bird, or toy, is soft mouthed, loves the water and will retrieve in water even though I don't hunt waterfowl, and is collar conditioned.

Now what?

What do you suggest should be next steps for a pointer? I want to get out on a few pheasant farms before they close for the season (she's only hunted public land and really showed improvement over the course of the season) to work on steadiness. What else do you pointer owners find is essential to work on at the one year mark or after the first season of hunting? Just an FYI, she takes her natural ability test in the beginning of June. I'm also not too concerned at this point that she isn't steady after the shot. I want her to get on any cripples right away so I'm not sure I want to steady her after the shot. Once my natural ability test is done, I doubt I will test her any further than that. She is a dog I want to pheasant, grouse, and woodcock hunt with. Thanks for your suggestions.
 
Just build on what you are doing, hunting dead and clean retieves can be done in the yard. If you work on steadiness use training birds that your dog can’t catch… pigeons! Pen raised quail and such can create more problems than help imo. Don’t be frustrated if things pause or go backwards a bit, every dog progresses at a different speed. My dogs are only steady to flush on purpose but this freedom indices creeping and moving on sight of birds… steady that pup up!
 
And not every training birds needs to be shot, if your only steady to flush then it’s if you move no reward!
 
Keep your dog exercised (lean and mean). Keep taking it out in field situations, use live birds, frozen birds and training dummy’s. The most common mistake I’ve seen and been guilty of myself is not maintaining your responsibility as a dog owner and hunting partner. Daily off leash outings in as realistic situations to hunting as possible.

Some folks think that you can treat a dog like a pipe wrench and just take it out when you need it. You end up with an injured dog and a shitty partner.
 
Keep it going. Some train year around, but time off isn't bad either. I walk and exercise year around but not a big fan of birds in the summer ...
 
My black lab male Jones is now 1-year-old. He has a good nose, and he has made some good retrieves this year, but he does need some work, I never use a leash. I always walk him off leash and he goes probably a mile a day or more. He is a good boy, he's not great on getting the runners, but he has gotten a few. This summer with a retrieving canvas thing with a wing attached.
 
I ran my Vizsla in AKC hunt tests for pointing dogs. It was beneficial for both of us.
 
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Keep'er Movin said:
I honestly have zero interest in doing these. I know guys who love it, but it's just not for me.
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I used to feel the same, don't love it and probably won't do it again unless I get another pup. But I think it helps make a better bird dog. I got to watch him hunt with other dogs, watch how he works birds and train for steadiness, recall, retrieving and heeling. He needs 1 pass to get his SH title and we're done. Didn't do it for the title or because it's a lot of fun for me. I wanted to make him the best bird dog I've had and it was a means to an end. I used it as a training program and the events helped me measure progress, get other peoples opinion and advice and identify things to work on. YMMV.
 
I have hunted behind a lot of incredible bird dogs......their ability and skill , in my opinion was a result of many many days training and hundreds or perhaps thousands of real hunt/wild bird contacts, not because of a field trial.
 
I'm sure I am biased, but Penny my griff just seems special compared to the labs I've had in the past. I do think that genetics have played a huge role in her instincts. I was just amazed at how quickly she picked up on her training. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I know I need to clean up, but compared to my goofy labs, she seems like a genius. The willingness to retrieve to hand every time just boggles my mind. It's a really cool feeling when you feel like you are in-tune and have that special connection with your dog.
 
I am only familiar with hunt tests like NAVHDA and AKC. Not everything about those tests is perfect but having goals and working towards those goals is a big positive. Usually help can be had thru those groups. If you ever hunt with others it's a great chance to prepare for someone else and possibly other dogs being around.

I am big on steady to point and flush. I do hunt with others and dogs bumping birds by not being steady is my biggest gripe. Poor recall is a close second. Participating with the training group offers exposure to both scenarios.
 
Mosby said:
I used to feel the same, don't love it and probably won't do it again unless I get another pup. But I think it helps make a better bird dog. I got to watch him hunt with other dogs, watch how he works birds and train for steadiness, recall, retrieving and heeling. He needs 1 pass to get his SH title and we're done. Didn't do it for the title or because it's a lot of fun for me. I wanted to make him the best bird dog I've had and it was a means to an end. I used it as a training program and the events helped me measure progress, get other peoples opinion and advice and identify things to work on. YMMV.
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I would also add in you meet a lot of like minded people. While I do run tests, and trials I don't necessarily enjoy them that much but I cannot say enough good things about the people and opportunities the dog world has opened up to me. Joining a retriever club or 4 has been the best thing I have done in years. I'm sure the NAVHDA experience is similar.
 
Drew said:
I have hunted behind a lot of incredible bird dogs......their ability and skill , in my opinion was a result of many many days training and hundreds or perhaps thousands of real hunt/wild bird contacts, not because of a field trial.
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I wish I lived in place with a local wild bird population, where I can walk out the back door and go hunting whenever I want. My wife tells me I'm free to move to wherever that is but she points out that I'll likely be divorced, poor, living in a trailer and feeding a cheaper grade of dog food, so I stay where I'm at and make the best of it. :D
 
Sounds to me like you are well on your way to having a great hunting companion. Some dogs just have it all from the start and require little formal training. Keep doing what you are doing and work on Whoa and steadiness. Then just get here more and more bird contacts. The more wild birds conotacts she has the better she will become. Good luck!
 
Mosby said:
I wish I lived in place with a local wild bird population, where I can walk out the back door and go hunting whenever I want. My wife tells me I'm free to move to wherever that is but she points out that I'll likely be divorced, poor, living in a trailer and feeding a cheaper grade of dog food, so I stay where I'm at and make the best of it. :D
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😐
 
Hunt tests or field trials are not the same as actual hunting, especially wild birds, IMO. Dogs can do well with one or the other or both.
 
I didn't send my boy off until he turned one. He went to the trainer to really enhance his gifted talents and capabilities. The dog was way more capable than my training abilities offered him. He is now titled in APLA and AKC hunt tests. Running the hunts tests was as much for me as him. I got to know some really spectacular people that wanted the same outcome for their dogs as I did.
 
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