How old is too old? Bird dog
- Thread starter bordr69
- Start date
3 is still a puppy. Just ensure you maintain positive reinforcement.
My 9 year old Cocker decided to accompany my Lab and I for roosters one day. The Cocker was my wife's dog from before we were married. Just a city, lap dog and social butterfly. Once we got out in the field, the Cocker acted like she had been a gun dog all her life and I was wishing I had brought her hunting sooner. She had some trouble with a winged rooster that started to use his spurs, but she did not back down. I was impressed by the old girl's spunk.
My 9 year old Cocker decided to accompany my Lab and I for roosters one day. The Cocker was my wife's dog from before we were married. Just a city, lap dog and social butterfly. Once we got out in the field, the Cocker acted like she had been a gun dog all her life and I was wishing I had brought her hunting sooner. She had some trouble with a winged rooster that started to use his spurs, but she did not back down. I was impressed by the old girl's spunk.
maplevizsla
New member
Hi there,
I have 2 Vizslas currently, 1 passed away last year. I hunted with my oldest girl, Hunter, for a many number of years on wild ruffed grouse. She wasn't introduced to birds until she was actually 3yrs old at a seminar held by our provincial club, The Vizsla Society of Ontario at a bird dog trainers facility. It was like all the lights turned on in her head! We did another seminar with the National club, Vizsla Canada Inc. and gunfire was introduced. Hunter was actually always good with gunfire, so I never really had to introduce her to that. Off to the bush and she bumped her first grouse (thus no shot-bad dog!) and then that same day went on point on a grouse but I was too far for a clear shot. Years later she's the best damn grouse dog I have, with age sadly, she spends her days now sleeping and limping :-(
I recommend joining a local club, ask the CKC to give you the names and contacts of CKC sanctioned clubs (there are a few your way), then there is NAVHDA--North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc. which is excellent go to the website for club contact in your area, and then there is the Vizsla Canada Inc. club which holds field tests and contact the secretary, she may be able to hook you up with local members who can take you out for a field lesson or two.
Has your breeder given you any guidance??
I have 2 Vizslas currently, 1 passed away last year. I hunted with my oldest girl, Hunter, for a many number of years on wild ruffed grouse. She wasn't introduced to birds until she was actually 3yrs old at a seminar held by our provincial club, The Vizsla Society of Ontario at a bird dog trainers facility. It was like all the lights turned on in her head! We did another seminar with the National club, Vizsla Canada Inc. and gunfire was introduced. Hunter was actually always good with gunfire, so I never really had to introduce her to that. Off to the bush and she bumped her first grouse (thus no shot-bad dog!) and then that same day went on point on a grouse but I was too far for a clear shot. Years later she's the best damn grouse dog I have, with age sadly, she spends her days now sleeping and limping :-(
I recommend joining a local club, ask the CKC to give you the names and contacts of CKC sanctioned clubs (there are a few your way), then there is NAVHDA--North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc. which is excellent go to the website for club contact in your area, and then there is the Vizsla Canada Inc. club which holds field tests and contact the secretary, she may be able to hook you up with local members who can take you out for a field lesson or two.
Has your breeder given you any guidance??
maplevizsla
New member
You have many good years of hunting ahead. Just make sure your dog is in hunting condition (physically), I start my exercise regime for a hunting dog in May-June, adding extra fat and protein to the diet too balance the extra workouts.
Another important factor is to avoid gunshyness. Whatever you do, do NOT fire a gun over your dog just to "see if" they are gunshy or not. The gunfire must slowly and carefully be introduced. Thats where the local clubs come in handy!
Another important factor is to avoid gunshyness. Whatever you do, do NOT fire a gun over your dog just to "see if" they are gunshy or not. The gunfire must slowly and carefully be introduced. Thats where the local clubs come in handy!
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Vizslas are extremely smart and want to please, I have a 3 year old Vizsla as well. He will learn something everyday if you take the time with him. You will have no trouble at all, you know the dog well so show him how it is done and he will trust you. Check your PM's.
Good advice on the gunfire.I broke my two labs in by bringing them out with me.Got the wife to hang onto their leashes and I fired about 25m away from them.
They just yawned.Then I kept moving them slowly closer until they were right beside me.Then I'd throw a dummy and fire a shot(not at the dummy) and after it landed, send them on the retrieve!
They have never looked back since!
They just yawned.Then I kept moving them slowly closer until they were right beside me.Then I'd throw a dummy and fire a shot(not at the dummy) and after it landed, send them on the retrieve!
They have never looked back since!
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
For gunfire, start with a pellet gun, then .22 shorts, then .22lr, then .410 or 20ga. Spread out over 6 weeks all from a good 20 to 40 yards away when the dog isn't looking at you.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
These dogs are bred to hunt. I have seen beagles that spent their life on a couch in Toronto hunt rabbits first time out like demons. My two labs are both up in their teens and I wish I had that red dog for this fall. Take him out and enjoy.
regards, Darryl
regards, Darryl
maplevizsla
New member
Fow new and young pups, best to fire a shot while they are chasing the bird so they associate BIRDS=FUN=GUNSHOT and don't panic as to why there was a sudden boom out of nowhere.
MountSweetness has it right, start off with smaller calibre's first and then work your way up to evnetually a 12gau. Slowly, with patience and quit firing if your dog shows any signs of uncertainty. Worst thing is to create a gunshy dog b/c you skipped a few steps.
MountSweetness has it right, start off with smaller calibre's first and then work your way up to evnetually a 12gau. Slowly, with patience and quit firing if your dog shows any signs of uncertainty. Worst thing is to create a gunshy dog b/c you skipped a few steps.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Our 2 year old Beagle just took her first rabbit, without any training. She's been living with the inlaws for a year as a lap dog as my wife and I've been away with work and travel, and before that the most hunting she'd done was chasing the odd cat in town leashed. Indeed, she just knew exactly what to do and flushed, then caught a jackrabbit about a week ago on our acreage with my wife on the end of her long leash. We skinned and cooked it up on the fire, and gave her most of it over the following days. She got the heart and kidneys cooked up within an hour of taking the rabbit. She'd scarcely been happier. Going to have to bring her out bird hunting this fall. Trained her shooting gophers a bit on our place, she seems to get it straight off.
