Pointing dogs and not training to sit

[anglodrkns]

So I am getting a pointing dog in a couple months and have been doing all the research I can into how to train it as it will be my first gun dog. A few times now I have come across things saying don't teach your pointing dog to sit until it is older, it will affect its point. Is there anyone who can explain this more? Or have idea's on what to teach it instead of sit as a similar command?

[finsfurfeathers]

Don't believe everything you read. Sit , stay, laydown, leave it all good things to know even before you hit the field. If you're trialing than bother with a "stylish" point I like character so mine point how they like.

[anglodrkns]

I have no real intent on trialing the dog. I might do an NAVHDA NA test just for fun or maybe one day try the UT test but the dog is just for the family and hunting so style doesn't matter

[Marker]

point how they like.

^Good advice

I beleive what you read is trying to recommend you stay focused in your training and not add anything that will distract from that activity, other than some basic commands which themselves would be required in the field. I have seen people try and do multiple activities such as tracking and also protection (bite dog), these dogs typically will get to a basic level on tracking but later when additional distractions are added the performance tends to drop off.

Qualifier: I have no experience with pointing dogs.

But there is a parallel, in tracking the identification for the test is a sit and the article is a glove. In the real world the article can be anything with the scent in question, and the dog's identification can be anything the dogs prefers that is known to the handler. We let our dogs tell us what ID they like, which encourages independence. Independence is important as the handler does not know where the lost article (or person is) and the dog needs to be looking for it without preset interference from the handler. In the same way, a pointing dog is out there looking for a bird.

[bdog]

Go ahead and teach the sit command, if the dog was competing and sat while holding a point, a judge would tell you to leash your dog you're done, they don't want see that during a trial

[ninepointer]

Mythical nonsense. No pointing dog ever has developed a bad sitting habit. Your dog, among other things, needs to be a good citizen at home. If that includes sitting on command then teach sit.

[Marker]

On a side note, since you have not picked up your dog yet I would suggest you do some pre-testing with the pup for final selection, if the breeder allows.

Others on this forum will have more experience in pre-testing a pup for pointing then me.

[anglodrkns]

Thanks for all the info guys. Makes me feel a lot better about teaching it to sit because I have young kids and that would definitely be a command that is helpful in control

[sabmgb]

no pointer experience, but think if it in a breed to point then it will point on its own with a little help from owner. I personally think basic training commands are important in any breed, sit, stop, come, to far and one of the most important the command to go pee. I believe a dog will do what its interested in doing and what you like to do. My lab doesn't like water, so we stay on land and she does a great job at what I do and need her to do. People tell me that I have the best trained dog, I always say it is all her, I just give her the opportunity to show off.

[finsfurfeathers]

People tell me that I have the best trained dog, I always say it is all her, I just give her the opportunity to show off.

Its the old Nature or Nurture (or more appropriate Nature and Nurture) debate. Bottom line are you training for your desire or someone else's. As the one who feeds the dog it better work to my liking.