Question for waterfowl hunters here...

cdnchick

cdnchick

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I came across a video link from another forum and thought it was interesting because of the standard poodle being used as a hunting/retrieving dog. (We just got a standard poodle puppy recently and are interested in eventually training her to be a retrieving hunting dog)

I'm pretty new to the whole area of hunting and was hoping someone could give a quick (or detailed, your choice!) explanation of what the demonstrator in the video is doing (i.e. explanation of triple marks, the direction he's giving the dog, the whistles & noises, etc.).

Thought this would be the best place to learn a little more from the more experienced!

Thanks in advance!

[youtube]PxMWYz5iL7c[/youtube]
 
I have a friend who lives on the St. Lawrence and his wife's poodle is an excellent retriever... sticks, balls, or anything else that he throws in the water that will float... stands to reason he would be a good waterfowl dog if trained...
 
I have two standard poodles and they`re greating hunting dogs. The one is a great retriever the other likes to do her own thing and sticks to rabbits and squirrels. Think she just doesn`t like the sound of the shot maybe.
 
Standards were originally bred as hunting dogs so there is no reason that they can't be trained, other than the fact that most of that part of the breed has been bred out of them. A breeder who breeds from hunting stock would probably have some excellent stock,but any animal that shows the desire to hunt should be trainable.
 
if you go to the Hunting Retriever Club website you should be able to find some info on some breeders who are attempting to bring the standard poodle back to a field dog. there will also be links to clubs in your area and there will be lots of folks who are willing to help you with your training.
 
cdnchick said:
I came across a video link from another forum and thought it was interesting because of the standard poodle being used as a hunting/retrieving dog. (We just got a standard poodle puppy recently and are interested in eventually training her to be a retrieving hunting dog)

I'm pretty new to the whole area of hunting and was hoping someone could give a quick (or detailed, your choice!) explanation of what the demonstrator in the video is doing (i.e. explanation of triple marks, the direction he's giving the dog, the whistles & noises, etc.)....
Click to expand...

The video you posted is a typical of retriever training. The set up is quite good, with a lot things the dog must over come to make the retrieve. The setup represents a field hunting scenario where a dog sees 3 birds fall (marks) and a fourth birds drops but the dog does not see it fall (blind).

For the marks, the handler does little more then line the dog up, allowing the dog to work from memory. The only whistle he uses is the back command (2 quick tweets). As the dog is returning with the bird the handler lines up the next retrieve and makes the dog "heel" before giving the bird to hand.

The last retrieve is the blind. Like marks, the handler lines up the dog in a straight line to the blind. He lets the dog know it's a blind by using the "BACK" command as the release vs his name on a mark. He then handles the dog a couple times, blowing his whistle one time tells the dog to sit on his ass and look back at the handler for further instructions. What you don't see as the handler is off camera is that he uses a hand gesture and commands the dog "BACK" again, telling the dog to continue is straight line away from the handler. Eventually the dog makes the retrieve and the handler once again uses the 2 tweets to command the dog to come back.

As a dog progresses in handling (where the handler controls the dog via hand signals and whistle commands) other commands are introduced at every increasing distances. A good dog with handle well beyond 800 yards only with hand signals and whistle commands.
 
Cinch said:
The video you posted is a typical of retriever training. The set up is quite good, with a lot things the dog must over come to make the retrieve. The setup represents a field hunting scenario where a dog sees 3 birds fall (marks) and a fourth birds drops but the dog does not see it fall (blind).

For the marks, the handler does little more then line the dog up, allowing the dog to work from memory. The only whistle he uses is the back command (2 quick tweets). As the dog is returning with the bird the handler lines up the next retrieve and makes the dog "heel" before giving the bird to hand.

The last retrieve is the blind. Like marks, the handler lines up the dog in a straight line to the blind. He lets the dog know it's a blind by using the "BACK" command as the release vs his name on a mark. He then handles the dog a couple times, blowing his whistle one time tells the dog to sit on his ass and look back at the handler for further instructions. What you don't see as the handler is off camera is that he uses a hand gesture and commands the dog "BACK" again, telling the dog to continue is straight line away from the handler. Eventually the dog makes the retrieve and the handler once again uses the 2 tweets to command the dog to come back.

As a dog progresses in handling (where the handler controls the dog via hand signals and whistle commands) other commands are introduced at every increasing distances. A good dog with handle well beyond 800 yards only with hand signals and whistle commands.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed explanation of the video. It makes much more sense watching it a few more times with your post.

Are the whistle commands and hand gestures fairly standard when it comes to training a dog how to retrieve?

Thanks again!
 
Cinch said:
The video you posted is a typical of retriever training. The set up is quite good, with a lot things the dog must over come to make the retrieve. The setup represents a field hunting scenario where a dog sees 3 birds fall (marks) and a fourth birds drops but the dog does not see it fall (blind).

For the marks, the handler does little more then line the dog up, allowing the dog to work from memory. The only whistle he uses is the back command (2 quick tweets). As the dog is returning with the bird the handler lines up the next retrieve and makes the dog "heel" before giving the bird to hand.

The last retrieve is the blind. Like marks, the handler lines up the dog in a straight line to the blind. He lets the dog know it's a blind by using the "BACK" command as the release vs his name on a mark. He then handles the dog a couple times, blowing his whistle one time tells the dog to sit on his ass and look back at the handler for further instructions. What you don't see as the handler is off camera is that he uses a hand gesture and commands the dog "BACK" again, telling the dog to continue is straight line away from the handler. Eventually the dog makes the retrieve and the handler once again uses the 2 tweets to command the dog to come back.

As a dog progresses in handling (where the handler controls the dog via hand signals and whistle commands) other commands are introduced at every increasing distances. A good dog with handle well beyond 800 yards only with hand signals and whistle commands.
Click to expand...

Nailed it,

One thing I would add, this stuff is all pretty standard for a field trial dog, however if you are looking to train your dog for the duck marsh some things can be modified to suit the situations. Like letting a dog break when field hunting Honkers.

I have been through a couple trials as bird handler/gunner and some dogs perform brilliantly in terms of trial score but would do poorly in a real hunting scenario. You will quickly learn if you are "hunting people" or "dog people".

Just food for thought. Also Hunting poodles are cool.
 
cdnchick said:
Thanks for the detailed explanation of the video. It makes much more sense watching it a few more times with your post.

Are the whistle commands and hand gestures fairly standard when it comes to training a dog how to retrieve?

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Hand signals and whistle commands are the same - at least in the retriever world.

Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Nailed it,

One thing I would add, this stuff is all pretty standard for a field trial dog, however if you are looking to train your dog for the duck marsh some things can be modified to suit the situations. Like letting a dog break when field hunting Honkers.

I have been through a couple trials as bird handler/gunner and some dogs perform brilliantly in terms of trial score but would do poorly in a real hunting scenario. You will quickly learn if you are "hunting people" or "dog people".

Just food for thought. Also Hunting poodles are cool.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, a good meat dog need not be finished to a MH/FTC level. But any waterfowl hunter would benefit greatly having a dog with basic obedience, marking and handling skills. However, I have to respectfully disagree in allowing/encouraging a dog to break in any hunting situation. I have seen too many close calls where a dog breaks and is almost shot. Low flying or landing geese are pretty much at the same altitude of a running dog.
 
Cinch said:
Hand signals and whistle commands are the same - at least in the retriever world.



Absolutely, a good meat dog need not be finished to a MH/FTC level. But any waterfowl hunter would benefit greatly having a dog with basic obedience, marking and handling skills. However, I have to respectfully disagree in allowing/encouraging a dog to break in any hunting situation. I have seen too many close calls where a dog breaks and is almost shot. Low flying or landing geese are pretty much at the same altitude of a running dog.
Click to expand...


I agree that letting a dog break on Canadas isn't the best idea, however it becomes about the fellow behind the gun not the dog at that point.

Obedience is the key to a good dog.
 
ben hunchak said:
Boy, I wouldn't want to be the one seen out in the duck blind with my dog, a poodle!
Click to expand...

Agreed, but poodles have a long history of hunting and retrieving, till they were benched for the dog shows.
It would prolly be ok with youre hunting buddies as long as it didn't wear any cheap perfume or have any bright colours on it.:redface:
 
I won't wade into the training aspect of your poodle, other than to say GO SLOWLY with the introduction to gunfire!

I've always started with a cap gun, YES a CAP GUN! Moved to a starter gun & then a shotgun. ALL WHILE the dog is doing something it LOVES, like jumping into water to retrieve a ball...

Here is the result with my German Wirehair Pointer, "Nos"... (And keep in mind, if you screw up the gun aspect, your dog will never hunt, it's THAT important!!!)

Good luck with your pup & go slow!!! Slow & Steady WINS the race!

Cheers
Jay

BDP_4019_01.JPG


And one from him in his first hunting season at 10.5 months old!

IMG_07487.JPG
 
Jay said:
I won't wade into the training aspect of your poodle, other than to say GO SLOWLY with the introduction to gunfire!

I've always started with a cap gun, YES a CAP GUN! Moved to a starter gun & then a shotgun. ALL WHILE the dog is doing something it LOVES, like jumping into water to retrieve a ball...

Here is the result with my German Wirehair Pointer, "Nos"... (And keep in mind, if you screw up the gun aspect, your dog will never hunt, it's THAT important!!!)

Good luck with your pup & go slow!!! Slow & Steady WINS the race!

Cheers
Jay

BDP_4019_01.JPG


And one from him in his first hunting season at 10.5 months old!

IMG_07487.JPG
Click to expand...

I miss my Drathar.. when I see those photos.
 
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