My GSP is still too high strung!

Gargoyle

Gargoyle

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Location
"South"western Ontario
Either my German Shorthaired Pointer is still too high strung or I'm doing something terribly wrong. Took him out for his first real time just trying to flush woodcock yesterday and he had absolutely no focus. He continuously kept running back and forth at much farther distances than what I would like (200+yards). When called he would head back in my direction but get distracted part way and off he went again. Even working in an open field it was very similar except he kept getting the scent of things, which is not a bad thing at all, but there was no way at all of getting him off the track.

Please please help me with some advice, I really really want to get working with him a lot more on various game, feathered and fur.

His info is that he is between 1.5years and 2 years old, pure from field stock. My info is I'm an experienced "pet" dog owner, but this is my first try at a real hunting dog breed and training for hunting. I have training dummies, I use a whistle to recall him, he fetches like there is no tomorrow and drops on command, but he won't stay still at all, anywhere.

I'm looking for an e-collar but money is the situation right now, I can afford $100-$150 but no more at this time, so if anyone knows of a good one in that range let me know (heard horror stories about the ebay cheapies though)

Thanks in a advance.

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GSP's are usually big running dogs and going against this nature especially if he is from field trial stock would frustrate a saint. That's the bad news. If he has been trained to hold his point then a big running dog is not as much of a problem as you have time to get to the bird ( this is the good news). You mention using him for flushing woodcock, he should be pointing instead which may require some training to steady him up. My views on e-colars is that they need to be used very judiciously and only when the dog is actively disobeying a known command. Decent e-colars start at $300+
 
He does point the birds from time to time, but seems to get too excited and just goes at em. He will point squirrels and neighbourhood cats but when loose he just goes at em. I am new to training a pointer and hunting dog and don't mind a dog that is high energy (my other dog is a Blue Heeler that runs circles around my GSP). Just need some input from experienced folks for where I should start on the training at this point.
 
Have you thought about joining a club......there are a few good ones around SW Ontario.

It's is pretty hard to take a dog, throw them into a field and expect them to do what you want. A substantial amount of hands on training is required with any working dog. Joining a club will get you together with like minded individuals, who are generally more than willing to part with their knowledge...

That's my $.02 worth anyways!
 
If you can't find a club then try some books and videos on steadying the dog. I'd begin with teaching the "whoa" command which means to the dog to stop until given permission to move. Once the dog knows this command you can introduce him to live birds on a check cord. There is much more to training then this with time and patience being key. Don't take him into the field where he will make uncorrected mistakes until you train him what to do.
 
It sounds like you have an enthusiastic dog. Congratulations.

Read some books - the NAVHDA Green Book is good, as is the AHDC.org Orange Book. Start with obedience and some controlled introduction to game. Intro to gunfire is critical. Sorry Hunter' - I don't buy the "GSP's are big running dogs" thing. Yes, some are. And I'd say that most out west would be better served by one with those tendencies.

The dog hasn't put it together yet. He needs more time in the field, which will lead to the realization that without you, there is no game.
 
I have a yellow lab and he is pretty high strung. I have an e-collar from Innotek - I got it at Pet Smart - it was the model labelled "Free Spirit". My wife and I joke about how true it is - Free Spirit for us that is :) Anyway, it has helped substantially in keeping my lab within a certain distance of my wife and me. After a while you won't even need the collar but it definitely works. My lab is now very well behaved... Another factor which was pointed out earlier is your dog's age - my guy is about 4 years old and still pretty energetic you may not see a decrease in energy for a while yet but I like to think that my dog's energy is high because he exercises a lot which will let him live longer - I keep telling myself that to stop from strangling him. :) Try the collar it will make a difference.
 
Glock4ever said:
I have a yellow lab and he is pretty high strung. I have an e-collar from Innotek - I got it at Pet Smart - it was the model labelled "Free Spirit". My wife and I joke about how true it is - Free Spirit for us that is :) Anyway, it has helped substantially in keeping my lab within a certain distance of my wife and me. After a while you won't even need the collar but it definitely works. My lab is now very well behaved... Another factor which was pointed out earlier is your dog's age - my guy is about 4 years old and still pretty energetic you may not see a decrease in energy for a while yet but I like to think that my dog's energy is high because he exercises a lot which will let him live longer - I keep telling myself that to stop from strangling him. :) Try the collar it will make a difference.
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Yes and Yes. They do know how to press your button sometimes.
 
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