Summertime work

[Goldfish]

how old is she?

Year and a half now. Still puppy inside, but getting better.

did you introduce her to loud noises early on? You might wanna talk to josh before this becomes a bigger problem.

I got her at 4 months old and she was skittish to the neighbors snowmobile. I have no doubt that she could overcome the issue. She doesn't care about fireworks (from a ways away, she doesn't like black cats when I light them off), nor thunder. My friend says he built a pigeon trap, so I was going to try and trap some live birds and if she isn't crazy about those. I know that is the way you are supposed to introduce the gun. He just got a puppy now, so he's interested in live birds as well so hopefully this will work out. I'm not going to push her, and hopefully with him getting a puppy I'll have someone to help with this. Only prob is he's about 45 minutes away.

I won't give up on Bella, but I'm sure not going to push her. I also need to work on her fetching more. She's more of a labradore leaver than a labradore retreiver. I know, I know, force fetch. All in due time. She's my first dog, and it's not going to kill me to kick the brush myself for another year or two, or row to get my own birds.

[Redbeard]

Josh or others might know better, but not so sure live birds with gunfire at this point would be a good idea. If she's scared of the gunfire I wouldn't want her associating the birds with it.

I'd start small, carefully banging pots and pans or 2x4's together while she eats. Increasing the noise as she becomes more comfortable with it.

Introduce the gunfire later. And when ya do, maybe 22's or starter gun from a distance. As she becomes more comfortable decrease the distance. Then eventually introduce the shotgun.

Gun shyness is not an easy thing to overcome.

For any pro's out there, if I'm way off base let me know

[jarbo03]

Start over from the beginning as though it was a new puppy. Live birds can be a great way to get the dog fired up and excited, but as said above, be careful. I would start with a cap gun from a distance and start working my way back up, this is not a race, do not advance until each step is complete. Taz had such a high drive for his bumpers I used them for his gun intro. We were quite a ways from the shooting, throwing the bumper each time there was a shot, we slowly worked closer, from day one he thought guns were awesome, it meant he got to chase something. Still curious as to what Josh has to say.

[Goldfish]

Na, birds and guns won't be introduced at the same time. I just want her crazy about something. My real problem is I need another body to start the noise a ways away.

But like I said, I'm in no hurry. I hunted my whole life without a dog. A little more ain't going to kill me.

[Goldfish]

I see where you'd get that from my post, but what I'd like is to get her crazy about birds, and then when she finally has drive to get something, start to introduce gunfire. Starting with a .22, then progressing louder.

[Olly]

Josh or others might know better, but not so sure live birds with gunfire at this point would be a good idea. If she's scared of the gunfire I wouldn't want her associating the birds with it.

I'd start small, carefully banging pots and pans or 2x4's together while she eats. Increasing the noise as she becomes more comfortable with it.

Introduce the gunfire later. And when ya do, maybe 22's or starter gun from a distance. As she becomes more comfortable decrease the distance. Then eventually introduce the shotgun.

Gun shyness is not an easy thing to overcome.

For any pro's out there, if I'm way off base let me know

This is exactly what I did. I started using my hands and clapping around him while he was eating. Then I moved up to 2x4s then to .22 then to 12 gauge blanks and finally the real thing all over a 6 months or so time frame.

[Redbeard]

Had a great training session in the water yesterday. We've been putting off water work til my buddy's chessie pup had shown improvement on lines and blinds. Charlie's been antsy to get back in the water. Hit up a grassy slough at high tide at one of my favorite private hunting spots. Probably worked the dogs alittle more than we shoulda, but they appeared to be having a good time. Charlie did well and the chessie, Brant, is really making great strides.

[Flightstopper]

Awesome Red. My pup is with the ol lady at her parents for this week getting ready for the wedding. Killing me not being able to work with him

[goodkarmarising]

Not working on much during this heat, though the other night, I took Karma out for some refresher drills. We did some casting drills...steadiness and running blinds.

and swim by?!

Red, at least 20% of the time, you really are funny This is one of those times. Should we all pitch in and get GKR an E collar for christmas?

OK, that was non nearly as funny....

I'll take 20%! I was think the Pro Guide vest by Filson

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You guys are too much.

[assateague]

Man, every time I see this thread bumped it reminds me how much I want a dog. Stupid Dingo.

[Redbeard]

I just love hearing about guys working their dogs! We work 2 times daily!


http://www.marshmutt.com
Keeping The Steel Flying and Dogs Retrieving

wish I could train more often.

My boy's only 4 four, but I've been aching for another pup to train something fierce. Although working with my buddy and his chessie pup has kinda satisfied that desire for now.

The family leaves again next week for another weeklong trip. I'll have Charlie out everyday for sure.

[goodkarmarising]

I try to get out daily with my mutts. Saturday I had both dogs work on honoring each other while the other was retrieving, which can be hard at times when they both want every retrieve. I have about 10 different areas I can take my mutts within about 30 minutes to constantly change things up on them.

[Redbeard]

I try to get out daily with my mutts. Saturday I had both dogs work on honoring each other while the other was retrieving, which can be hard at times when they both want every retrieve. I have about 10 different areas I can take my mutts within about 30 minutes to constantly change things up on them.

that's cool. Changing the setting and environment can be important.

[Redbeard]

Bump...let's see them dogs working in that heat

[goodkarmarising]

training.jpg

This is what typical summer training should look like around here.

[Tomkat]

It would take a dog Karma's size to scare off the aligator gar in Bean Lake.....

[goodkarmarising]

I can walk the lake bed right now and most of the retrieves in that lake right now, the dog isn't swimming. But I have seen some pretty big alligator gars brought in out of that lake.

[Redbeard]

That looks like a picture Rick Hall would post

[Flightstopper]

I'll see what I can get this afternoon. Our field is pretty grown up with all the rain we got the last few weeks.

[josh ward]

Mostly just been running my pattern blinds with the big dogs early in the morning. Then booking back to the kennel and doing my OB and FF dogs. Been too hot lately to even work much at all in the evenings

[josh ward]

Goldfish, PM me or call me if you need some help on the gun shyness thing, I've fixed several gunshy dogs. Been a few I couldn't fix too.....

[Redbeard]

Mostly just been running my pattern blinds with the big dogs early in the morning. Then booking back to the kennel and doing my OB and FF dogs. Been too hot lately to even work much at all in the evenings

can you explain pattern blinds?

[Flightstopper]

Pup is really building on his confidence in the last couple days. Been slowly working in the collar on his whistle sits and added a right cast today as well. Back cast to pile 30 yards away then when half way there whistle sit him and give the right cast. Only mishap was when I put the side pile to close to his back line and he took a shortcut. My fault

[Redbeard]

Pup is really building on his confidence in the last couple days. Been slowly working in the collar on his whistle sits and added a right cast today as well. Back cast to pile 30 yards away then when half way there whistle sit him and give the right cast. Only mishap was when I put the side pile to close to his back line and he took a shortcut. My fault

sounds good!

[jarbo03]

training.jpg

This is what typical summer training should look like around here.

I like training in areas like this, really makes the dog use its nose

[goodkarmarising]

training.jpg

This is what typical summer training should look like around here.

I like training in areas like this, really makes the dog use its nose

So do I. It also develops trust between you and your dog. I need to get my garage cleaned out and break out the dummy launcher.

[Olly]

I always prefer to do my training where I am hunting. During the week we go out to a little field/marsh here in town but on the weekends if I can I prefer to take the boat out and do training there.

[Redbeard]

I always prefer to do my training where I am hunting. During the week we go out to a little field/marsh here in town but on the weekends if I can I prefer to take the boat out and do training there.

yea most of my training spots are my hunting spots also

[Flightstopper]

Had the pup out doing some handling drills this morning at the new place. Have a vacant lot with very short grass that is awesome! He tries to cheat more than in tall grass and I get to add more correction (not from collar). Big strides being made IMO. Will try and get the bride to be out later for pictures.

Then came back and did one of my favorite "games". Blackie (not enough manners for a gun dog, my fault) gets to break and go crazy while the pup is at a remote sit. All he does is watch and will get one retrieve at some point to keep it fun for him. He LOVES chasing her around so it is very tempting for him. No breaks today and creeping not tolerated.

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[goodkarmarising]

Went out again tonight to one of the local rivers and worked on honoring each other.