Posted By: DryFire
Help - 05/13/20 07:21 AM
So I thought about just posting on my old post but figured it'd be better to start a new one since this is a different topic for the most part. Put a lot of thought in to a decision that I made about my pup's name (as you can see on a previous thread about whether to change "Nova's name or not). And I will probably still get butchered by some for making the decision that I did... but, I stuck with the name Nova. We have been using "stop it" like Sniper John suggested and it is working fine. Yes I have another dog obedience trained with "no", but, he is mature enough to not have to use "no" much, if at all with him.
That being said.... (here goes nothing).... the above mentioned older dog is a year and a half old 3/4 choc. lab and 1/4 GSP. He has adjusted well to the new pup being around and has almost seemed to be reinvigorated by her. She has actually brought more of the hunt drive out of him than I have seen in a while. This gives me hope because I've always thought he's had the potential to hunt but with starting a job with night hours, it was hard to get day time training in. There are a few concerns I have... here me out and give advice please. I have a long way to go to be decent at training.
1) I would love him to retrieve upland birds and ducks. He loves water, so thats a plus.
2) He retrieves but does not bring it back to "me". Its mostly near me or around my vicinity. How do I correct that? I've offered treats but then he drops the bumper/ball 2 feet in front of me so that he can get the treat. He has a pretty soft bite, also a plus since I didn't specifically train it.
3) We just got on a new lease in the panhandle that has potential for quail, dove and a few ducks but nothing extravagant. Worth trying to train him even if the in field opportunities are limited?
4) Its hard to get his attention when he's playing with the new pup. There is confusion with who commands are for, which I guess is to be expected with a new pup in the house. He gets extremely excited anytime a new person or dog comes around despite being socialized with other people and dogs as a puppy.
I know this is a long post.... I again would appreciate any insight. Is it worth trying to self train a year and a half year old with limited hunting opportunities? (not saying I wouldn't find other day hunts). Would you train one with those goals in mind and those existing habits in mind? Too late to gun train if he's scared of the garbage truck at home?
If you respond to this I will consider your post gold.. I know it was a lot to read. If anyone with some experience wants to call and talk to make the conversation easier, please PM me. I work nights so please understand if I don't get immediately back to you. Just lookin for some good guidance.
Thanks y'all
That being said.... (here goes nothing).... the above mentioned older dog is a year and a half old 3/4 choc. lab and 1/4 GSP. He has adjusted well to the new pup being around and has almost seemed to be reinvigorated by her. She has actually brought more of the hunt drive out of him than I have seen in a while. This gives me hope because I've always thought he's had the potential to hunt but with starting a job with night hours, it was hard to get day time training in. There are a few concerns I have... here me out and give advice please. I have a long way to go to be decent at training.
1) I would love him to retrieve upland birds and ducks. He loves water, so thats a plus.
2) He retrieves but does not bring it back to "me". Its mostly near me or around my vicinity. How do I correct that? I've offered treats but then he drops the bumper/ball 2 feet in front of me so that he can get the treat. He has a pretty soft bite, also a plus since I didn't specifically train it.
3) We just got on a new lease in the panhandle that has potential for quail, dove and a few ducks but nothing extravagant. Worth trying to train him even if the in field opportunities are limited?
4) Its hard to get his attention when he's playing with the new pup. There is confusion with who commands are for, which I guess is to be expected with a new pup in the house. He gets extremely excited anytime a new person or dog comes around despite being socialized with other people and dogs as a puppy.
I know this is a long post.... I again would appreciate any insight. Is it worth trying to self train a year and a half year old with limited hunting opportunities? (not saying I wouldn't find other day hunts). Would you train one with those goals in mind and those existing habits in mind? Too late to gun train if he's scared of the garbage truck at home?
If you respond to this I will consider your post gold.. I know it was a lot to read. If anyone with some experience wants to call and talk to make the conversation easier, please PM me. I work nights so please understand if I don't get immediately back to you. Just lookin for some good guidance.
Thanks y'all