Pointer problem

wicklow newbie

Hey lads my 2 year old english pointer bitch is refusing to come back to the whistle and is working 2 fields ahead of me. Had her coming back 8 out of 10 times during the summer when on a 100 meter lead but since the start of the season that has gone out the window. Any ideas on getting someone to train her to basic level? I am stuck for time myself and as she is my first pointer I dont want to f&&k her up. Needless to say the funds are not endless in the run up to xmas so any ideas for me? She was pointing steady around the pheasant pen over the summer but is now so far away from me when out that she could be pointing and I would never know.

DavyDee

Buy an electronic training collar if you havent the time, can work well if not abused! When you started training your dog you should have got it obeying your voice tone, calling the dog by its name softly when the dog is responding well (ie good boy/girl) and a raised tone and let the dog know when he is doing wrong. When you have your dog doing this well then introduce the whistle with these commands as well.

Even the best of bitches coming into or in heat can be completely heedless. All dogs get heedless every now and again pointers are notorious for been head strong and independent minded and can be hard to handle if you havent laid the groundwork properly, generally if the dog is doing something wrong its your fault not the dogs! Although it can be impossible to stay patient never hit or punish the dog when it comes back to you, call once or twice then you have to go to the dog grab it each side of the head, give it a good shaking while blowing the whistle in his face, let him out a small bit and bring him back to you. Repeat this until he does it every time. Id say you let the mistake of letting him out to far in the beginning and now he thinks he can do what he wants.

deeksofdoom

DavyDee wrote: »

Buy an electronic training collar if you havent the time, can work well if not abused! When you started training your dog you should have got it obeying your voice tone, calling the dog by its name softly when the dog is responding well (ie good boy/girl) and a raised tone and let the dog know when he is doing wrong. When you have your dog doing this well then introduce the whistle with these commands as well.

Even the best of bitches coming into or in heat can be completely heedless. All dogs get heedless every now and again pointers are notorious for been head strong and independent minded and can be hard to handle if you havent laid the groundwork properly, generally if the dog is doing something wrong its your fault not the dogs! Although it can be impossible to stay patient never hit or punish the dog when it comes back to you, call once or twice then you have to go to the dog grab it each side of the head, give it a good shaking while blowing the whistle in his face, let him out a small bit and bring him back to you. Repeat this until he does it every time. Id say you let the mistake of letting him out to far in the beginning and now he thinks he can do what he wants.

Have to agree with davy dee here. It looks like you haven't done your yard work. 8 out of 10 times isn't good enough for the recall. Its back to basic training for you again my friend leave the dog at home until you've got it under control, other wise your going to end up kicking the living **** out of it with temper.

EPointer=Birdss

Collar all the way. Ull train her in a session. Nothin more frustrating than that crap behaviour! Dogs like kids do have terrible twos!

premiercad

if you dont want to use the collar or don't know how, put her back on the long lead, and limit the hunting she does this season, my lad was perfectly obedient up until the shooting season started and then thought he could get away with murder.. he soon learned! remember she's only two so you can change her ways, she's got to hunt with you and not on her own.. good luck!

remember dont' be put out by sacrificing this season to go back to training what you do now could mean you get a great dog for the next 10 years!

blackstairsboy

I have to agree with epointer and the other poster. The electric collar was made for a situation like this. I only ever used one once in my life with my first springer. I never used one again because I learned to train dogs correctly from the start so you avoid problems like this. It is easier to prevent this problem than cure it but if you use the collar correctly you should suceed.

wicklow newbie

Ok lads thanks for the advice. I would rather put the time into her now and have her good for the future. Next question... Where to get a collar for reasonable money. My local gun shop only wants 320 euro for one. He says it comes in a handy little case.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

T223

Lr active or innotek think it's same place has a rechargale 1 fof 199 i think
I bought the cheaper 1 for 149 last year but replacement batteries can be dear so i'd
advise on gettin the rechargable 1

EPointer=Birdss

Look for the PAC collars. Fine job

rugerman

u cud go 4 cheap option 20 yards of rope tied to a log soon slow her down always works

pinkyfluff

hi wicklow just get back to basics with her dont do anything drastic just yet she just enthusiastic and to be fair a good 20 minute run before each trainin session lets them burn of some steam and should be let do this before huntin do returns to whistle for 20 mins randomly also
but definitely back to basics start slow and few mins every even for say 2 weeks should see ya nearly there and on a sat take her out dont bring your gun as you ll get more fustrated if she misbehaves and you need your both hands for fussin over her when she comes back to whistle but only let her walk for a say 45 mins after first weeks trainin and if als goin wel double it second saturday
its the foundations of yer trainin thats slipped lad so take it slow this time reinforce it with praise and the odd treat the returns and let her know if she s rangin past yer comfort zone

muckyprawn

I recently bought for 80 euro on ebay. Rechargable. water proof and 200m range. Job done. Similar problem for me also...only had to "use" it twice....

wicklow newbie

Ok lads, got a loan of a collar. Whats the best procedure from here? Dont want to do anything wrong that might mess up the dog. Some lads say blow whistle and press button at the same time but she comesback alot of the time so maybe just use the collar on the times she does not come back? Then lots of praise when she does come back? Advice appreciated.

DavyDee

wicklow newbie wrote: »

Ok lads, got a loan of a collar. Whats the best procedure from here? Dont want to do anything wrong that might mess up the dog. Some lads say blow whistle and press button at the same time but she comesback alot of the time so maybe just use the collar on the times she does not come back? Then lots of praise when she does come back? Advice appreciated.

I generally train the dogs to my voice at first letting them know which tone means they are doing well and which tone means they are doing wrong. Pointers are notorious for being a little bit heedless if they get away with it, they love to do their own thing! What I do is bring the dog out and get them ranging left and right in front of me, at first when the dog begins to range properly the chances are the dog will begin to wander off too far in the one direction, give the dog your usual call back with the whistle, if the dog ignores you call the dog letting him/her know that you know the dog is ignoring you. If the dog is still ignoring you now give the collar a beep as a warning if you get no reaction here tap the zap button once. From now on the beep should be enough warning and the dog should react to your commands almost instantly. Dont abuse this as sometimes the dog can prove you wrong but it is essential the dog understand who the boss is! I have only had to use the collar a handful of times on each dog!

deeksofdoom

If I were you I'ld do a bit of yard work first and recall the dog when it returns plenty of praise treats etc... make sure the dog is coming back to you in a controlled environment. Then take it out and do the same thing, then let it range out, the second it doesn't respond to the whistle give it a beep, blow again no response and zap it.

EPointer=Birdss

DavyDee wrote: »

I generally train the dogs to my voice at first letting them know which tone means they are doing well and which tone means they are doing wrong. Pointers are notorious for being a little bit heedless if they get away with it, they love to do their own thing! What I do is bring the dog out and get them ranging left and right in front of me, at first when the dog begins to range properly the chances are the dog will begin to wander off too far in the one direction, give the dog your usual call back with the whistle, if the dog ignores you call the dog letting him/her know that you know the dog is ignoring you. If the dog is still ignoring you now give the collar a beep as a warning if you get no reaction here tap the zap button once. From now on the beep should be enough warning and the dog should react to your commands almost instantly. Dont abuse this as sometimes the dog can prove you wrong but it is essential the dog understand who the boss is! I have only had to use the collar a handful of times on each dog!

What he said!
No rocket science in this at all.
Use as a remimnder when the deaf here comes on so he realizes you can correct him at any distance.
Dont ever use it if you feel frustrated with the dog as this is where I think some lads fall down.

wicklow newbie

Thanks for that lads. Now if only I could get 20 yds beyond the front gate to put it into practice!!

DavyDee

wicklow newbie wrote: »

Thanks for that lads. Now if only I could get 20 yds beyond the front gate to put it into practice!!

This is as good of weather to be out with him as any. If he can learn to track a bird in that he can track it in anything!