Rookie Hunter with a Rookie pup

[samwyse]

So, here I've got myself a rifle, a shotgun, a good-looking dog who receives training well and...I've never been hunting.
She is spayed, 1 year old Lab/GWP cross and loves retrieving and won't give up until she finds it or I drag her away.

We have some rules when we train- when I say "ready" she circles from my right behind me to my left- then the dummy is thrown. If it's in the air I say "fetch" if I let it land then she has to "search it up". But she cheats and watches where it lands.
She's also damn good at sniffing her dummies out. But I need to know how I'm supposed to work with her in the field.

The plan is waterfowl retrieval and upland hunting. From what I understand, the former involves a lot of sitting while the latter involves a bit more work.

Any pointers?! (pun intended, I have no shame)

[TrickleCharger]

Take care with introducing her to gun fire, you can find all kinds of info on this if you search around the web. From my (limited) experience some dogs won't care and some will hate it, you don't want her hating it.

I would think grouse hunting is a nice easy start compared to waterfowl hunting, you already have all you need just go walk some old logging roads.

If I were you I would search for a well regarded book on basic gun dog training and start with that. Post up when you have questions that are a little more specific...

And, put up some pics of your dog! :)

[steelslinger]

Joan Bailey, how to help gun dogs train themselves. Buy it, read it.

Where you located? Find local trainers and join in. You'll learn more in 15 min with a good trainer than in 2 years screwing your dog up alone.

Most important, have fun, make sure the dog is having fun.

[mcmullmar]

2x care intoducing to gun fire

[samwyse]

Thanks for all the input guys. Sorry for the tardy response, harvest season kind of took up all my brain and will power for a month or two.
I live in Abbotsford and would be greatly interested in meeting any other experienced hunters with trained dogs.

[lorneparker1]

Contact both of these places. Go to a training day and meet some people. Lots of excellent dog people in both places (both clubs have most of the same members.)

http://www.bclab.com/

http://fvrtc.org/

[samwyse]

Contact both of these places. Go to a training day and meet some people. Lots of excellent dog people in both places (both clubs have most of the same members.)

http://www.bclab.com/

http://fvrtc.org/


will do. Thanks!

[RadHimself]

my dog didnt mind shotguns....

now shes afraid of my 7mag, like if it comes outta the case she starts shaking

[samwyse]

Welp we took her out with a duck scented dummy and I took the shotgun about 300 yards away and worked up to her, firing it when the dummy was thrown. She didn't even notice the shotgun...so that's good. I'm still a little wary of taking her out right away for birds as she hasn't handled any yet.

[jagen mit DDrs]

Welp we took her out with a duck scented dummy and I took the shotgun about 300 yards away and worked up to her, firing it when the dummy was thrown. She didn't even notice the shotgun...so that's good. I'm still a little wary of taking her out right away for birds as she hasn't handled any yet.

How is your dog going to learn how to handle birds if you don't take her hunting??
Do you want her as a flushing dog or a pointing dog (does she have natural pointing instinct)?

Regarding the firing of a gun,develope drive and eagerness in your dog and the bang of your gun is secondary...which the dog shall relate to success.

[samwyse]

I want her as both. She points really well and she retrieves really well. I'm tentative about taking her hunting right away because I've only introduced her to the gun once. Seems foolhardy to throw her straight into hunting and have her freak out and not know what to with the bird.

[fudge]

Get bill hillman videos they are easy to fallow and on point

[fudge]

Get bill hillman videos they are easy to fallow and on point

[yamadirt 426]

where do you live ? I could probably get you a bird if your local.

[labguy]

I want her as both. She points really well and she retrieves really well. I'm tentative about taking her hunting right away because I've only introduced her to the gun once. Seems foolhardy to throw her straight into hunting and have her freak out and not know what to with the bird.

If you contact the people lorneparker suggested and find someone there willing to help, you will learn how to teach the dog proper mouth habits. It's called "force fetch" or "trained retrieve".

Once the dog has learned proper "deliver to hand" habits it will make the transition to hunting much easier.

Bill Hillman is also a good source. His force fetch video will walk you through the process. You're correct not to take her hunting until she understands this. Good luck.