Retrain Hunting Dog

[bigj0hn]

My buddy is giving me his neutered 5 year old German Shorthair Pointer that he claims was a trained hunting dog before he got him. They found him wandering the street with no collar and took him in. After they got him fixed the vet scanned him and he was chipped to a hunter the vet knew. Hunter didn't want him back because it had been a year.

He is digging in their garden and I offered to take him in. How do I go about seeing how much the dog knows and how can I learn the commands?

[Bainter1212]

Some hunting clubs have dogs that they train and use on hunts for members. There is a hunting club out at Camanche Lake and also one just west of Rio Vista. You may have to pay a fee but someone there may know how to take your dog on a test run for you.......

[Helpful_Cub]

If you already bonded with him, see if you can hide his favor dog treat in a closet near the crack. If he finds it and points for you to open the door for him, your on to something. Another one is when he's outdoors and see something. My boy was pointing cats before I did any official training with him. After he knows commands, and you have a e-collar you can find a trainer that you can buy quail from and do some training.

Since your already in the Antelope Valley and you have a rescued dog I'd recommend talking with Ellis Hallmark 661-273-2378. He use to do a ton of GSP field trails and really knows his stuff. Just keep in mind he can be a bit gruff some times. And definitely say you have a Rescue or he probably won't help you. He is a professional trainer, so you will have to pay some money, but he can quickly assess and let you know how rough your dog is and what he still needs. Btw, you do the training with him, he doesn't take your dog away for months.

Another option is to visit the Antelope Valley Hunt Club west of Lancaster. http://www.avschunt.com/ You can buy chukar from them and see if the dog shows interest and will go hunt them. It won't be cheap and you won't have a trainer, and you will need a current hunting license.

Then finally if you don't like those options I'd recommend looking into North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). They basically focus on what a GSP is truly capable of, a all around water, retrieve, point and tracking dog. http://www.socalnavhda.com They do a lot of stuff down at Raahauges near Chino at that huge dog park down there. Shotgun shooting included, oh and you can usually buy birds from the park owners.

[lewdogg21]

My buddy is giving me his neutered 5 year old German Shorthair Pointer that he claims was a trained hunting dog before he got him. They found him wandering the street with no collar and took him in. After they got him fixed the vet scanned him and he was chipped to a hunter the vet knew. Hunter didn't want him back because it had been a year.

He is digging in their garden and I offered to take him in. How do I go about seeing how much the dog knows and how can I learn the commands?

Hi John. Welcome to the hunting forum.

Answering the following questions will help others zero in on the best advice for you.

Do you hunt now or have you hunted birds in the past?

Have you ever trained a dog?

Did you Dad or a close family member have dogs they trained for hunting when you were growing up?


If the answer to all 3 is no, I personally would take the dog to a professional and pay the $. It may not be cheap but it will be worth it if you intend to hunt the dog regularly and don't want to spend your days chasing him around.

As an amateur dog trainer I've learned that my dogs faults are b/c of me and instead of blaming the dog I need to blame myself.

[bigboarstopper]

Hate to say it but if the original owner was a hunter, lost the dog and didn't care to have it back then a big ole red flag just went up. Looks like you may have a cull.

[MJB]

Get him on birds you'll know real quick.

[taperxz]

My buddy is giving me his neutered 5 year old German Shorthair Pointer that he claims was a trained hunting dog before he got him. They found him wandering the street with no collar and took him in. After they got him fixed the vet scanned him and he was chipped to a hunter the vet knew. Hunter didn't want him back because it had been a year.

He is digging in their garden and I offered to take him in. How do I go about seeing how much the dog knows and how can I learn the commands?

I ended up putting my GSP down for just being a complete spastic.

If the dog is digging and the owner didn't want it it may be a sign that the dog is so high maintenance that even hunting it 3 times a week will not be enough to prevent it from being bored.

There are fanstatic GSP's our there. Then there are those that are just plain nuts and can't even sit still. Consult a professional and make your decision. You won't want to put it down after bonding with it and you don't want a dog you can't control.

[bigj0hn]

Hi John. Welcome to the hunting forum.

Answering the following questions will help others zero in on the best advice for you.

Do you hunt now or have you hunted birds in the past?

Have you ever trained a dog?

Did you Dad or a close family member have dogs they trained for hunting when you were growing up?


If the answer to all 3 is no, I personally would take the dog to a professional and pay the $. It may not be cheap but it will be worth it if you intend to hunt the dog regularly and don't want to spend your days chasing him around.

As an amateur dog trainer I've learned that my dogs faults are b/c of me and instead of blaming the dog I need to blame myself.

Thanks for responding guys. I have never trained or been around anyone training a dog before but I do bird hunt every year. I had the opportunity to hunt with a dog at Raahauges a few years ago on a corporate trip and it was a blast! Ever since using him kicking bushes and throwing rocks while quail hunting just doesn't seem as fun anymore.

I have not yet picked him up, I am buying a house and wont be able to due to yard space until escrow closes at the end of November.

Lewdogg what resources have you used to learn how to train your dog yourself?

Helpful_Cub thank you for the phone number and the websites!

[Gutpile66]

If you don't let your GSP run, a lot, it'll go crazy, period.

Get a 7' + fishing pole and a pheasant wing (or any other upland bird wing) and tie it to a 4-5 foot piece of heavy fishing line. Move the wing and set it still on the ground (NEVER let the dog get hold of it). Dog points and holds point right away you're in great shape. Dog chases the wing pick it up with the pole and let him chase it around, but keep setting the wing down occasionally (don't let the dog get hold of it). Dog should point once it gets pretty tired. If he bumps point keep moving the wing around 'till the point is staunch. If he points staunch then you can ease up behind him, give him a little push on his rear to encourage his point, he should fight your push, this helps him hold a good solid staunch point. Tail should be straight up or almost straight up. Talk you him when you're moving in so he knows where you are (I've always use "whoa, + name of dog, and say it repeatedly).

If he doesn't point after getting tired you're in bad shape. If he doesn't fetch you're in bad shape.

If he fetches, never, ever, let the a pointing breed get tired while you're fetch training. Pick up the dog and carry him off field while he's still really into it.

Also, have somebody drop a book (any loud banging sound-maker) at random points while you're working with him. If he's gunshy you're in bad shape.

Keep your powder dry . . .

[chris]

Hate to say it but if the original owner was a hunter, lost the dog and didn't care to have it back then a big ole red flag just went up. Looks like you may have a cull.

not really some dogs hate the owner. my roommate knew a guy who found a lab at wister and the guy who had the dog said it wouldn't hunt for him. too bad for the former owner that dog hunted well for him.

heck I found my first lab in D14 while getting ready to go home. she had no training that I knew of took her duck hunting and she was a great hunting dog to say the least.


I have my second dog who is a rescue so to say he came from a good home and was too big. he has his AKC papers and his father was a hunting dog. I have paid the money for a trainer and he loves it. he has done well in a couple of hunt tests. im not really into those but im usually gone when they are going on and my trainer has him and enters him for me.

the OP may get lucky and have a great hunting dog the previous owner may have been a moron and the dog knew it.

[DSMeyer]

not really some dogs hate the owner. my roommate knew a guy who found a lab at wister and the guy who had the dog said it wouldn't hunt for him. too bad for the former owner that dog hunted well for him.

heck I found my first lab in D14 while getting ready to go home. she had no training that I knew of took her duck hunting and she was a great hunting dog to say the least.


I have my second dog who is a rescue so to say he came from a good home and was too big. he has his AKC papers and his father was a hunting dog. I have paid the money for a trainer and he loves it. he has done well in a couple of hunt tests. im not really into those but im usually gone when they are going on and my trainer has him and enters him for me.

the OP may get lucky and have a great hunting dog the previous owner may have been a moron and the dog knew it.

Wish I could say my lab was great. He was also a rescue dog. He loves to retrieve, so I did all of the basics and he took it very well. Next step was to take him to the range and see how he reacted. Took that in stride too. Thinking to myself, ok cool. Field time now. Took him out for a late season dove hunt, it was as if a switch was turned. Tail tucked way deep, head down. It was a pitiful sight. Poor dog was scared to death, wouldn't stay beside me but didn't bolt in fear of being lost. Ended up putting him back in the kennel, figured it was too early.
Kept working with him at home, everything was again superb. Trip #2 came and same thing, this time I wouldn't kennel him, he tagged a consistent 10 yards (just within eyesight) behind me at all times. Just a whipped mess. All I could figure was he was abused and abandoned. He's a great pet though, lives the family with no end. Just doesn't hunt.

[kielbasavw]

I don't understand, put a dog down because its too crazy? Ever deal with a boxer? They are fckin crazy and I would never ever even think of putting one down. My boxer is currently doing "boxer burns" around the house as I type this..

Sounds like you do not deserve a dog.

[chris]

Wish I could say my lab was great. He was also a rescue dog. He loves to retrieve, so I did all of the basics and he took it very well. Next step was to take him to the range and see how he reacted. Took that in stride too. Thinking to myself, ok cool. Field time now. Took him out for a late season dove hunt, it was as if a switch was turned. Tail tucked way deep, head down. It was a pitiful sight. Poor dog was scared to death, wouldn't stay beside me but didn't bolt in fear of being lost. Ended up putting him back in the kennel, figured it was too early.
Kept working with him at home, everything was again superb. Trip #2 came and same thing, this time I wouldn't kennel him, he tagged a consistent 10 yards (just within eyesight) behind me at all times. Just a whipped mess. All I could figure was he was abused and abandoned. He's a great pet though, lives the family with no end. Just doesn't hunt.

I was nervous when it came to my current dog and looked for a trainer and I found one and he taught my dog a lot and the gun thing I wanted to do myself but I really wanted it done right. at first he was like I don't know about this dog then he really took to it. he loves to retrieve and loves pigeons he really wants to learn and is a sponge he does get nervous about some things so I cant really work him hard but he does very well im satisfied.

I send him to my trainer when I have to go away with the Army every year so he gets a refresher for a month. it's good for him and worth the money.

it's a bummer what happened with your dog. have you tried a trainer or is your dog too old?

[taperxz]

I don't understand, put a dog down because its too crazy? Ever deal with a boxer? They are fckin crazy and I would never ever even think of putting one down. My boxer is currently doing "boxer burns" around the house as I type this..

Sounds like you do not deserve a dog.

Boxer is not a hunting dog.

[DSMeyer]

Tried him with a buddy if mine who has excellent retrieving dogs. Mine worked well with him in the parks with his two dogs. In the field same scared thing. Mine has a serious hang up, so now I don't worry about it anymore. Just my big oaf of adorable pet.