Info on training GSP

[pkbirdog]

I have a 13 year old GSP that probably wont be around in the next couple of years so I wanted to start doing some research on training a new pup. The dog will be mostly companion and family dog but I will be hunting quail also.

Could anyone recommend some good books or point me in the right direction for training a GSP?

[Cougar125]

Richard A. Wolters, Gun Dog
Paul Long, Training Pointing Dogs
David Gowdey, Ther German Shorthaired Pointer
Jerome B. Robinson, The Ultimate Guide to Bird Dog Training

I've got a few more books at work and I'll post the titles tomorrow.

[parcours]

George Hickox: Training Pointing Dogs (DVD)

Scott Miller: Training the Bird Hunter's Bird Dog (DVD)

Harold Adams/GunDog, The New Complete Pointing Dog (DVD)

[pkbirdog]

I'll be hunting mainly quail and maybe some pheasant. I do want a well behaved dog, especially when it comes to my wife and kids. If I can get both that would be great.

The reason I am asking is because I trained my gsp for quail myself when I was 19. I made a lot of mistakes i'm sure but he turned out to be a pretty good bird dog. But he has been a great family dog, has always been protective of my kids but would never hurt a fly. I definitely want that with my next dog.

When I trained him I read some books and watched some videos by a guy named Delmar Smith. I still have all that stuff but it seems he focuses on English pointers if I remember right. Thanks for the help.

[Cougar125]

Here's a few more titles from books I've read from.

Joan Bailey. How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves
Chris C. Pinney. German Shorthaired Pointers
Richard Wolters. Game Dog

It has also been my experience with my dogs, that if you get a male, the light may not click for him until he's between 18 months and 2 years. Thats just my experience.

[Smokinjoe101]

if you are going to hunt once or twice a year I would just train to be great family dog.

The smith family train all pointers and is a good resource.

enjoy looking for your new pup.

sj

[pkbirdog]

Thanks everyone. I'm leaning towards a femail this time, mainly cause I get sick of him pissing on everything. I think I will be getting the baily book first and look up navhda in my area. Thanks again.

[pkbirdog]

I googled the navhda and I can't find anything near Bakersfield. Is the nearest one in the IE or SD?

[Cougar125]

San Diego is going to be your best bet. I googled it too and the closest one to me is Sacramento and there are none in the entire state of WA.

[Clee]

The Hickox dvd is quite good. I'd recommend that. I have a Drahthaar (essentially a GWP) myself and I found that the Tri-tronics Retriever Training by Jim Dobbs is one of the best dog training books I've ever read/used. I used only the relevant parts, obviously you'll skip all the flushing and non pointer aspects of the book. I've used it for everything from how to use an ecollar, obidience, hand signals, whistle commands, lining, blind retrieves, introducing to water, etc.

Like all dog books, it tells you how to teach you dog a command/ drill. But what happens when the dog doesn't do it or doesn't understand what to do? This is where most books fail. But unlike most books, Jim Dobbs shows you all the possible things the dog may do and shows you how to correct it so he understands the drill/command. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a dog book whether retriever or versatile. There is plenty of good info even though some of it may not be relevant for a versatile.