Proper puppy start...

[Drastic711]

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...

[hoggie5692]

Look into Rick and Ronnie Smith. Their DVD's are worth the cash.

[Sharon]

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?

[Sharon]

Look into Rick and Ronnie Smith. Their DVD's are worth the cash.

Good advice. Consider the weekend seminar near London in August, d711

[finsfurfeathers]

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?

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.

[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.

[Cass]

Or he could get a proper spaniel... great for quackers and thumpers alike...

[Sharon]

You've done a fantastic job - a model for every new dog owner starting out. It can be done.

[Cass]

I have a long way to go yet and a lot more to learn for sure. I've only just started on this journey!

[finsfurfeathers]

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.

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.