Flushing club in Ottawa

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum and new to hunting as well. I recently got an English springer spaniel puppy and I would like to try and train him to hunt upland birds. I'll be honest that I have no idea what i'm doing, so i though joining a club would be a great way to learn and meet people with similar interests. I'm seeing a few pointing dog clubs in the Ottawa area, but with my dog being a flusher I didn't think we'd fit in. I'm looking for any tips, hints, or advice you have to offer, or if any one knows of a club that specializes in training flushers. I'd be grateful for any help.

Thanks

Knuckles

You are on the right track wanting to join a club ... training flushing dogs is quite different from training pointing dogs and it certainly helps to have training helpers.

The bad news is, there is no club in Ottawa. There are clubs in the GTA, Sudbury, and Quebec City but lacking your own private jet you may find this inconvenient.

However, you may be able to find some local people to work with who aren't part of a formal club. If you look up Fionavar Kennels (www.banin.com), who are about 1 hr from Ottawa, they may be able to put you in touch with people.

You can also bring your training questions here, where we will be happy to provide confusing, contradictory and generally unhelpful advice. :)

Actually if you question Cass , Welsh and a few others regularly , you'll get excellent advice on training a flushing breed. Also consider the "Gundog Forum- Spaniel section". Welcome to the forum.

Thanks Welsh. I knew I should've kept that jet . . . . I'll contact Fionavar Kennels and see if they can point me in the right direction. Is Banin still a game farm? (I found some old reports here eluding to that fact.)

Yes a few of us other spaniel people can help you out as well. lol

Any book recommendations to start with?

James B Spencer's book, Hup! Training Flushing Spaniels the American Way, is the best I've found. It's about the only one that lays out a coherent program you can easily follow. The chief thing is not to try to rush things; the dog will come along at his own pace and rushing only causes problems you'll have to deal with later.

How old is the pup?

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Originally Posted by knuckles

Thanks Welsh. I knew I should've kept that jet . . . . I'll contact Fionavar Kennels and see if they can point me in the right direction. Is Banin still a game farm? (I found some old reports here eluding to that fact.)

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I don't think he runs the game farm anymore. His website looks like it was lasted updated oct/2014.

Where are you in Ottawa ? I have some training DVD's you can borrow as well. My kids will be visiting this weekend and my daughter is from Ottawa. She can leave them at the front desk for you to pick up at the rec centre if your interested. PM if your interested and we can work out the details.

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Originally Posted by welsh

James B Spencer's book, Hup! Training Flushing Spaniels the American Way, is the best I've found. It's about the only one that lays out a coherent program you can easily follow. The chief thing is not to try to rush things; the dog will come along at his own pace and rushing only causes problems you'll have to deal with later.

How old is the pup?

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I agree with welsh (and I bought em all - I have about 8 books I bought when I got my cocker). Hup! is the best one but you really need to train with someone else. Unlike retrievers there aren't the same well laid out programs to follow.... all spaniel training is more or less a list of lessons the dog must learn to become a proficient hunter. If you're ever in the Quinte (Belleville) area, I am probably the closest to you. I went to college in Ottawa actually. Feel free to PM me any time - I will help in any way I can. Us spaniel folks are few and far between.

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

I don't think he runs the game farm anymore. His website looks like it was lasted updated oct/2014.

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They are still breeding dogs. Not sure about the game farm though.

Thanks for the great response everyone. Nice to see such a supportive forum. I'll definitely check out that book.

Welsh, my pup is 5 months old.

Cass, I do pass through Belleville every once in a while as my parents are still living North of Toronto. Would be great to meet up!

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Originally Posted by knuckles

Welsh, my pup is 5 months old.

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So you're through the basic puppy stuff then. You'll find the Spencer book helpful. The one key piece of advice is not to rush things.

Hit up Facebook, with the search " Kemptville and Winchester area Man Stuff for sale" and "Hunting and Fishing Chat! Eastern Ontario" Theses two group will reach a bigger area around Ottawa and maybe someone will be able to help.

Knuckles, I am in Ottawa (Barrhaven) and hunt crown all the time. If you every want to go out and do a waterfowl, grouse, rabbit, crow or coyote hunt just PM and will send cell number. I am not a business.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by knuckles

Thanks for the great response everyone. Nice to see such a supportive forum. I'll definitely check out that book.

Welsh, my pup is 5 months old.

Cass, I do pass through Belleville every once in a while as my parents are still living North of Toronto. Would be great to meet up!

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I am looking to get a pup in the next year or so, a spaniel, I know of where I can find wild birds but things are not as well setup in this area with respect to game farms and clubs.