aussielover Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 You only want to train/play with your pup whilst they are enthusiastic. Any drop in energy or enthusiasm would be a cue to stop, however ideally you wouldn't actually get to this point. The pup should always be left wanting more rather than glad for a break! For such a young puppy of that breed (I tend to find they lose focus quite easily as puppies!) I think that would mean only a few minutes of training at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohsam Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 My other priority is recalls. You cannot play fun awesome recall games enough. Then I add in puppy retrieves. Don't do retrieves on wings. Way too early. I don't train pointing dogs but that part sounds ok. Where are you based? Im based in South East Melbourne, Berwick. Yeah I dont have him doing retrieves, just pointing at it then snatching it away before he gets to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austerra Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Maybe get in touch with the GSP Club or Gundog Club, they maybe able to head you in right direction for field work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 My other priority is recalls. You cannot play fun awesome recall games enough. Then I add in puppy retrieves. Don't do retrieves on wings. Way too early. I don't train pointing dogs but that part sounds ok. Where are you based? Im based in South East Melbourne, Berwick. Yeah I dont have him doing retrieves, just pointing at it then snatching it away before he gets to it. Ok - don't snatch it. Have him on a lead or long line with enough play that he can point at it but not get it. When he's pointing stroke him down his back. He will go a little stiff and starry eyed. You can then gently pick him up, remove him and go wild with the praise and play even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Sorry - in a bit of a rush but yes GSP club for sure or PM me and I'll see if I can rustle up some Pointer folk to help you. No need to rush on bird work. Get pup well socialised to people, dogs (doesn't mean he plays with them all!!!) and take him to lots of different environments. Obviously watch for snakes but this is perfect weather for him to be introduced to water play, reeds, mud etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Puppies are sponges, if the work is varied and he has the energy then a longer then 5 minute session is fine a few times a day. They're not that delicate particularly the working lines. If you're frustrated you're moving too fast for the pup. OK The pup sees your treat bag and immediately sits - there's already a problem. The food is commanding the dog. Build your focus in with your positions if you want formal obedience positions otherwise when the treats move so does the pup. Treats cannot give commands, you do. You don't want the pup so food focused it stops listening or when the treat it gone so is the enthusiasm to learn. If you want a dog on deer and fowl too you want the process to be part of the fun not just the end reward - you dont want a dog that gives up on a deer because it has to track too long or the scent is through difficult terrain. Slow yourself dog, engage more with the dog and leave off before the pup is over it or you frustrated. Sometimes you have to let the moment dictate what is too much or too little :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I do what I call "advert training" - when the ads are on tv we do some training!! That means we do short frequent sessions! Obviously it all depends on what you're training and where you are. And every dog is different! I always like to finish training before the dog wants to finish training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Very cute puppy and love those feet. I know nothing about the gundog aspect of training as I have agility dogs. However when I brought my first kelpie pup 3 yrs ago I had heaps of questions. My first two dogs were rescue and a bit older. Besides my training instructors I read some really good books for getting foundation and building relationships for the sporting dog. I remember Control Unleashed for Puppies was good. Forgotten the others and away atm. Maybe some others could suggest a good book. My first priority was also socialisation which was a big hurdle for my pup. Though your GSP is probably very different in temperament. Great to see you care and are so keen. Remember to enjoy puppyhood as it goes too fast. More pics too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonwoman Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I do what I call "advert training" - when the ads are on tv we do some training!! That means we do short frequent sessions! Obviously it all depends on what you're training and where you are. And every dog is different! I always like to finish training before the dog wants to finish training. Cripes, that is why my dogs are so unruly, I don't have a television set in the house and if I did it would only be on ABC so no ad breaks LOL So I need a TV to train my dogs? Just kidding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohsam Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks Guys, I've backed off the training and made it more about play. I still give him the sit command and im trying to get a release cue proofed into him. he's getting it slowly. We just spend 90% of the time playing, and he gets bits of training with lots of treats. We're starting to get a really good bond and I can see the respect he has for me already. He just loves my 5 year old, they play in the garden like little kids rolling around the grass and jumping on each other. Its really cute. I've gotten my son to hold the leash when we walk and reward him when he listens, so he knows his place, and that he doesn't belong to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapua Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hi Oosham There are a number of really good gundog people in Victoria have you consider joining Retrieving Australia which is a working gundog specific website? You can ask very specific questions on their website and other are many highly experienced working people online. I am attending a training weekend in Maitland in March for beginner trialers which is a great opportunity to learn and watch what to do. IMO there is training and there is conditioning. To me the first 12 months is about building the language that you and your dog understand plus developing the trusting relationship. IMO the first few months are about routine rather than 'respecting my authority' during this time. I look to capture the desirable behaviours and reward it rather that demand obedience. You might want to google the Nothing in Life is Free program K9 Pro has a fantastic workable program so that your daily routines are reinforcing what you desire. You want to positively reinforce the instincts in your dog not demand compliance to commands which can crush instinct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oohsam Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hi Oosham There are a number of really good gundog people in Victoria have you consider joining Retrieving Australia which is a working gundog specific website? You can ask very specific questions on their website and other are many highly experienced working people online. I am attending a training weekend in Maitland in March for beginner trialers which is a great opportunity to learn and watch what to do. IMO there is training and there is conditioning. To me the first 12 months is about building the language that you and your dog understand plus developing the trusting relationship. IMO the first few months are about routine rather than 'respecting my authority' during this time. I look to capture the desirable behaviours and reward it rather that demand obedience. You might want to google the Nothing in Life is Free program K9 Pro has a fantastic workable program so that your daily routines are reinforcing what you desire. You want to positively reinforce the instincts in your dog not demand compliance to commands which can crush instinct. Thanks taupa, Looking into it now. Appreciate the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Where is your pup from? Your breeder might be able to help too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I wouldn't also bother too hard with obedience in the early days work on his drives. You want a hunting dog dont worry about Kikopup, go find some hunters and pick the heck out of their brains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Balance is the key. I work on drive and self control with youngsters in my care - be they field bred ESS, GSPs or Dalmatians. And yes, I compete in retrieving trials, train with some of the best handlers in the country, shoot over my ESS bitch in the field and alongside experienced GSP folk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) Oohsam, I have the opposite problem to you. Too much FUN. Not enough serious training. Don't get me wrong my guys are very obliging & respectful but if you asked either to heel for an extended time they would look up at you with ...what the???? I think sometimes we can get so caught up on getting thing's right & mean well we go all out train, train, train. When the key factor is balance. As an owner we can sometimes be overwhelmed with enthusiasm & we see our end goal way too early. Try to rush things. Best to take a moment & enjoy puppy while they are young. Build a strong bond. By all means train a little, enjoy lots☺ Edited February 23, 2015 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 BC Crazy there's an easy way to maintain engagement without making seem to much like hard work for the dog. PM me if you're having trouble :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Thanks Nekhbet ☺ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now