New to the Forum

[Wild Eagle]

Hi everyone!

New to the forum and excited to start talking with people about firearms and the great outdoors.

A little about me
I am a huge outdoor person that grew up in Estes Park. Nothing like having the National Forest for your backyard! I also hunt big game such as elk, deer and antelope. I do some small game pheasants and chukars.

I just recently got a German Short Hair Pointer and training him for bird hunting. He is 8 months old. I would really like to meetup with someone for some dog training tips or even talk on the computer. I am a beginner when it comes to dog training for bird hunting.

I am also a graphic designer/web designer that is trying to start my own business. My focus and passion is outdoors and outdoor sportsman. [MOD REMOVED LINK: Unapproved commercial advertisement]

Well not sure what else to say other than I am excited to be here!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Welcome, and lets see pics of that puppy!

[spleify]

Welcome aboard

[patrick0685]

welcome

[Fentonite]

Welcome! I second the call for pup pics! (as you'll learn, many of us are huge dog lovers - you'll fit right in!)

[Big Wall]

Welcome!

[Wild Eagle]

http://http://www.aetoswebdesign.com/assets/gallery/2/27.jpg

[Wild Eagle]

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527319_4263994808923_1437097835_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578676_4263995448939_1761058971_n.jpg

[Fentonite]

Oh, that's a mighty handsome pup! Thanks for posting![Beer]

[sellersm]

Nice intro! Welcome to the nuthouse, er, forum!!

[islandermyk]

Beautiful pic of the pup...



Welcome and enjoy! [Beer]

[kj4963]

Welcome![Beer]

[Wild Eagle]

Thanks Fentonite. I have been really impressed with his nose so far. I have a huge field near my house and I will go and plant some pheasant wings. So far he has found everyone of them. He has a lot of natural instincts and willing to please.

I am still struggling teaching him hand signals. This is more on my end. Any tips anyone?

[Westy]

Welcome, sweet pup [Coffee]

[J]

I have a good bit of experience training flushers and retrievers, but none with pointers.
The best way we have done hand signals is by first whistle training. One short whistle for stop,sit,look at me, and repeated short whistles for come to me.

I assume he likes to retrieve. And you can use that to your advantage. For signals:
I usually do arm at side and raise to either direction for left/right. I do a throwing motion for further, and a arm extended, swept down and back (like throwing underhand and to behind you) for back.

These motions can be used to throw something he wants in each direction, which will get him used to going that way when you make the arm gesture.

Next, Plant wings without him seeing and get him close enough that he is just out of scent range. Sit him down next to you and do your waive motion to either side or front back and give him a nudge that way. He will find it. Repeat and keep moving him further away. This tells him that there is always something where you are directing him.

Once they have that down pat, you get to the hard part. Plant some wings/dummies/whatever in the field, on both sides, without the pup seeing. Send him out, down the middle. When he is near some to the sides. Give him a short whistle burst indicating a stop, sit and look at me. Then waive him to either side, or forward. You can cheat a bit with backwards, because you can give the whistle come command (many rapid short bursts) while giving the back hand signal. Stop your whistle bursts when he is near the bird.

It will take a lot of perseverance, but he will get it. They will astound you with intelligence at times, and piss you off with their hardheadedness others.

[Cman]

Welcome to the forum!

[Wild Eagle]

Thanks for the tip Jayock. I think your tips have been the best advice I have received in this area. I am really excited to try it becuase he does love to retrieve. He retrieves so much my arm falls off.

I am really excited that i am going to take off early from work!

[gunboat1]

Nice to have you and the pup

[sabot_round]

Welcome to the madhouse!!

[MCarp71]

[Welcom]

[Wild Eagle]

I have a good bit of experience training flushers and retrievers, but none with pointers.
The best way we have done hand signals is by first whistle training. One short whistle for stop,sit,look at me, and repeated short whistles for come to me.

I assume he likes to retrieve. And you can use that to your advantage. For signals:
I usually do arm at side and raise to either direction for left/right. I do a throwing motion for further, and a arm extended, swept down and back (like throwing underhand and to behind you) for back.

These motions can be used to throw something he wants in each direction, which will get him used to going that way when you make the arm gesture.

Next, Plant wings without him seeing and get him close enough that he is just out of scent range. Sit him down next to you and do your waive motion to either side or front back and give him a nudge that way. He will find it. Repeat and keep moving him further away. This tells him that there is always something where you are directing him.

Once they have that down pat, you get to the hard part. Plant some wings/dummies/whatever in the field, on both sides, without the pup seeing. Send him out, down the middle. When he is near some to the sides. Give him a short whistle burst indicating a stop, sit and look at me. Then waive him to either side, or forward. You can cheat a bit with backwards, because you can give the whistle come command (many rapid short bursts) while giving the back hand signal. Stop your whistle bursts when he is near the bird.

It will take a lot of perseverance, but he will get it. They will astound you with intelligence at times, and piss you off with their hardheadedness others.

Took Zeke out and played ball. Everytime he would bring the ball back I would blow the whistle for him to sit. It only took him a couple of times before he caught on without verbally telling him to sit. I figured a couple more times out like this and we can move on to phase two. Again thanks for the tip.

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone welcoming me to the forum!

[Dunecrazzy]

Welcome

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Welcome to the forum, nice lookin doggie you got there!

[gunboat1]

Welcome from one newbe to another

[Marlin]

Welcome.

[GhostRider]

welcome