Can anyone recommend one? I have heard there are some. But don't really know where to start looking. What should I look for in a trainer?
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I knew of one in Maple Ridge named Al McKean, mostly field trial dogs if I recall but he's getting on so not sure if he's still doing it ?
Ill see if I can dig his number up.
Last edited by Weatherby Fan; 12-26-2013 at 05:22 PM.
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Jim at Foxtons - you want a gun dog - get him to train your gundog.
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What kind of dog do you have and what will its primary use be?
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Originally PM'd from stixnstones:
"wheres your pics of this deer? if he is a good one. i will pay u to tell me where he lives? cash for christmas. let me know. thanks"
"BORN TO HUNT"
Foxton's Cuervo Gold "KEELA" Oct. 2004-June 2017. Always in my blind and my heart.
When I bought my dog I researched all the versatile breeds. You have made a good choice and he should serve you well. His instincts will take care of the hunting aspect , you just have to tailor them to you. obedience, recall, the gun breaking are your first and only major obstacles. He should have no problem with those as he is breed for it. Id recommend force fetching once that is all understood. After that you could ask him to pick anything up.
Always present yourself in a calm cool manner and you will have a patient dog while hunting ducks and a calm and cool demeanor while hiking through the bush looking for upland, rabbits, or big game. Pointers are not typical flushers and don't often randomly bound through the bush. They will normally hold point until they are asked to flush and this will be natural for them
There is no substitute for getting out into the field (Any field or park will do ). Watch and study him, his movements and ask him to do things every once and awhile. Point to an area and ask him to work it then move on. I always carried a gun stock around and used it for pointing out different things. Once he sees the gun or gun stock in your hands we will know its time to work. Throw a dummy into the air while he is not looking and make a bang noise and have him retrieve it.
There are lots of ways to enhance his pointing but he will most likely develop those naturally. Can do the fishing rod trick with a few feathers or bird wing on the end of a 15` piece of line. Wiggle and cast that around the back yard or park. But really you dont have to do that much. Once he starts pointing it try and give him a push on the bum. He will most likely not move and hold point.
Tracking I figure is one of the easier things to teach. Dragging a small carcass or fur through the bush and have him find it. Start with small distances and progress.
Should you take your dog to a trainer, try and gets as much hands on as you can. Im not sure how it works but you will have to get trained also to how the trainers work the dogs and using his commands.
Should you end up going the DIY route all that will fall into place. Your commands , Your hunting style, Your connection to your dogs soul. Im not saying you wont achieve this with a trainer but it will not be the same.
Envision what you want out of your dog and how you want him to end up and follow through with that . Like the secret.
Having read your posts I believe you have the resources to have a wonderful dog and hunting partner and a Versa Dog is just that. He can substitute for any human in the bush. With enhanced hearing and smell im sure you will end up doing a lot more solo hunts with your dog for many years.
Lots of guys to help you here online or in person, youtube, books.
Sorry for not answering your original question , I dont know any trainers personnally and couldnt afford one if i did lol But I do know its a very small percentage of dogs that do things perfectly to the "book". Trained professionally or not. Training a Versa takes a year or more of experince in the field together meshing with each other. Not just a few months with a pro. Good luck and congrats
Just trying to throw some encouragement your way.
Now post some dang pics of your mutts please.
Well said Yamadirt...slowly working my Lab into the fold, I think Big Boar will get it right as you have said.