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I am getting a GSP for the first time in my life.
Hunting mostly geese and rabbits,very little upland and would like to start training early with the pup.
i know obedience comes first, would like to teach retreive, steadines and not to break while waterfowl hunting.
any advice is more than welcome and of course no advice is bad advice for novice like me...
Look into Rick and Ronnie Smith. Their DVD's are worth the cash.
Congrats.:-) You need a good training plan .This plan is for retrievers but has a LOT of good stuff for any puppy hunting breed .
Socialization will be the most important thing for the first 5 months +
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/dogsocialization.pdf
The gsp is not the breed that I would choose for what you want to do.
Most gun dogs will scare up a rabbit, but not track it like a beagle.There are better breeds for waterfowl work.
May I ask why you have chosen that breed?
Good advice. Consider the weekend seminar near London in August, d711Quote:
Originally Posted by hoggie5692
My guess is if he's like me does a bit of every kind of hunting so he needs a jack of all trades dog. GSP will adapt to most hunting needs well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
Yes , but why choose a pointing breed when he said nothing about hunting birds to be pointed? A lab would be a better retriever - especially late season ducks- and still scare up some bunnies.
Or he could get a proper spaniel... great for quackers and thumpers alike...
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/fo...ictureid=42364
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/fo...ictureid=44900
You've done a fantastic job - a model for every new dog owner starting out. It can be done. :thumbup:
I have a long way to go yet and a lot more to learn for sure. I've only just started on this journey!
With the limited info given and not to get into a discussion which breed is better than another. I can understand getting a GSP it would make a better retriever than a Lab being a pointer. Although stated he does little upland he hunts rabbits and a bush busting steady dog makes it easier at least for me. In the goose field the bigger dog would help no offence ment Cass.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
None taken ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/fo...ictureid=45414
Labs, GSP, Spaniels are all great breeds, with different temperaments with each breed and individual dog. But with all breeds, the best always starts with a dog who loves the master, so once again I would say building a strong bond between you two. Good luck, sometimes dogs are similar to toddlers, other times they are wise as they come.
DrasticQuote:
Originally Posted by Drastic711
Congratulations on getting a dog, that's a big step some people seem to be unable to take. A smart comment about an expectation on your part....that your dog be steady. Most people I have seen in public marshes, lake shorelines do not have steady dogs. They must watch some of our current hunting shows that show dogs on the move with birds falling and others being shot while the dog is running/swimming....simply unacceptable.
Google Mike lardy, Handjem Knls. You will find a nice order of 'operations' if you will to teach the basics. By the way, Basics are basic regardless of the dog you have. His growth scheme in teaching the basics is fundamental in the retriever world and works nicely for other breeds....ask Cass and how it worked for his Spaniel. Try to stay with it as best you can, you will end up with a dog you are comfortable with and proud of......just like bringing up kids.
Wow...I guess it's just me, and perhaps Sharon. I get it - you prefer geese and bunnies. Then again, I don't get it. Why a GSP? Why not a Lab or spaniel, or "versatile pointing breed"?
As I stated before, I had a customer that swore his best grouse dog ever was a German Sheppard. I believe him. So, perhaps you can make your GSP a decent early season goose dog and a bunny dog too. Virtually anything is possible.
Krakadawn, I was wondering what you meant by "that's a big step some people seem to be unable to take.." ? I suggest that not making the decision is far better than making the wrong one....not that it applies in this case, but in general. Getting the wrong dog can be a 12-15 year mistake!
Ugo, thinking from his puppy pic avatar the OP's plans for a "GSP" are for a "versatile pointing breed" - a shorthair (GSP). Also known as an HPR (hunt-point-retrieve) breed across the pond - thus with the retrieve(r) emphasis, he might also want to grab Cherylon Loveland's "Retriever Puppy Training: The Right Start for Hunting."
MG
PS Cass, when did you get a black and tan cocker? - sure sneaked that one in on us, eh?
Thank you all for advices on this one.
Reason i choose GSP are more just than my hunting needs of versatile dog. My uncle back home brought one from Germany for hunting and it was one of the best hunting dogs around. I just love them. Beside many times spent waching them work on bunnies in Europe and fact that they dont go far away like my cousin beagles. Once he let them loose it like he dont have dogs anymore, spent more time waiting and looking for them than hunting.
I occasionally hunt birds too and now I might start to hunt little more. Also like GSP because they are very versatile dog for all around hunting needs.
All respect for other breeds and dog owners but now i already choose this one like someone in the posts notice, puppy on my avatar is the GSP i'll get and will be ready to rehome around end of April.
What would i like to know is exactly like the name of my thread says; how to properly start with puppy once bring him home.
House broken, basic obedience commands and not miss first steps of hunting practice start while maybe taking too much time for obedience or vice versa. That kind of stuff is important to find out and hopefully as the time goes i might have some pics to share with you guys here.
Thank you all and dont discourage me on this one. I hope i did not pick a wrong breed as some comments might sound to me.
Reason i did not pick retreivers or lab(even though black lab is beautiful dog IMO) is because i thought they are 95% retreivers and 5% for anything else where GSP is much more versatile and somehow more all around dog that I have mentioned before.
Ugo, I just meant that for some folks making any commitment to get a dog and get started is a big step. Could be because of their life style ,where they live etc.I understand what you are saying about the 12-15 yr mistake.
Drastic, I did not try to persuade you to consider any other breed because your decision is your decision. However, when you say labs are 95% retrievers, need to do some more exploring/research as they are indeed capable of many other skills depending on the training provided. They can point, flush ,track ,shed hunt just as examples.
Good luck.
Lol no not mine. No room for any more dogs. One of Jim's.Quote:
Originally Posted by crackerd
Krakadawn, I have to agree. I know from experience that Labs can be THE most versatile dogs - waterfowl, upland, bunnies, and more. I've worked with enough of them to know - although not even remotely as many as you.
Drastic, you have to get the dog YOU want. That said, I have more customers that end up with a breed that their father, Uncle, neighbor, etc. had, because they retain fond memories of their childhood. Again, if you're happy, that's all that matters. If you had asked me, I wouldn't have suggested a GSP - that's just me. That doesn't mean this GSP won't be the best dog you ever own.
All the best with your pup!
Well said Ugo!
Drastic, Kraka gave you a great place to start with the retrieving and obedience training. Lardy's material is terrific. The other resource I like for a young pup is Jackie Merten's Sound Beginnings. I also have Bill Hillman's Training a Retriever Puppy which I am using with my present pup. Good luck and be prepared to spend lots and lots of time with your new companion.
Thanks guys and will defenetly take a look at those links provided.
I never said anything wrong about retreivers but as i wrote in my post before where i said I THOUGHT they are 95% R.and 5% everything else. I always imagined GSP,Brittany's or Epagnel Bretton as they are called across the pond and most versatile gun dog breeds.
again we all have our own preferences and for many reason i like GSPs and also like shorthaired dogs compared to other wire or long haired hunting companions.
A GSP will suit you just fine. I would suggest that you get in touch with your local NAVHDA chapter, they will be able to ensure you get off on the right step. http://www.grandrivernavhda.com/index.html