Ben on Point

Ben Retrieving birds

Here is a 9 month old GSP We have in for training. He is doing well pointing birds. Holding his point and Retrieving birds to hand. We have been working him for about a month now and will continue his training. He really likes to work the bob white quail we have in our training

Dave Walker Seminar

Got to spend some time with Dave Walker at a seminar hosted by gundogbreeders.com Dave is now approaching 81 years of age and is still active in the field. For two days solid he worked dogs in the field showing us what he has learned over the past 50 years of dog training. We worked all kinds of different breeds on pointing, retrieving, honoring and running hunting patterns. It was a great time and we all learned a little more this year. One part I liked is the work he does on training the young dogs to retrieve. His timing and patience while teaching the dog is so important while working the trained retrieve.

Working Train Retrieve

Dog Training

The truth about Gun Dog Training is that you need to train the handler how to handle the dog as much or more than you have to train the dog it’s self. When clients bring me a dog to train we can get that dog to just about anything. Usually in a few short months the dog is ready to go hunting and will work for the handler just great. The truth is then the dog goes home and the owner doesn’t really have an Idea how to handle the dog. Next thing you know the dog is back to his old ways and won’t handle for the owner. That’s when I get a phone call that goes something like hey my dog won’t do such and such. The list goes on and on well they bring the dog back to me and with in a few short sessions the dog is back to doing what he is taught. The truth about dog training is we not only have to teach the dog but we also have to teach you. So keep and open mind and be ready to learn.

Here is a great way to be taught.  http://www.hideawaykennels.com/dog-training-videos/ this is one of the most under utilized training DVDs I know of but it’s simply the best!

Ben training me

Had an great opportunity to visit Ben Garcia from Hideaway Kennels this past week. It was refreshing to go visit another professional trainer and see how he runs his dogs. Ben has a great attitude with his dogs. His training techniques have been developed over years of experience. Utilizing the dogs natural abilities he builds a program that will communicate to the dog the desired response. His techniques are subtle yet very effective, his soft touch and kind praise brings the best out of each dog. I’m excited for a return trip hopefully this summer.

Ruby on point

We are glad to announce that Ruby is going to have puppies close to May 17th 2012. Were excited to see how these puppies are going to turn out. Ruby has been very easy to train and is one of the most biddable dogs I have seen. She brings a smile to my face with her special character. Visit our site to see more about this outstanding litter. Puppies for sale.

Quail recall pen

Now is the time of year to get your quail recall pens built and set up so you will be able to train through the summer and get your birds plenty of time to fly and recall before you use your dog on them. We like to use this method of training on all ages of dogs. Nothing is more realistic than to release some quail with no human contact, that are flying wild, and will not allow the dog to crowd them. Once established these birds will act more like wild birds than any other. Using them in our training has helped take our dogs to a whole new level.

Dozer

Had a few extra minutes today so I thought I would let Dozer out for a run. He is one of our stud dogs here at Bestgundogs. We have been really happy with what he has done so far in his training. He has that no quit attitude. Were excited to for some of our upcoming litters we have planned with him. Here he is standing a bob white that we flushed from the recall pen. Looking as good as ever!

Kate Steady To Shot

Kate is a direct daughter of Honky Tonk Maniac. She is a clients dog that we had here for training the past few moths. She has now completed her training and is ready to go hunting. Kate has a ton of style, run and a great nose. She will make a good hunting dog for this up and coming season. Kate was a treat to train in the field. We look to see great thins from her in the future. Here is a photo of Kate standing a flushed bird at the end of her training.

Jon, Max, and Sis

One reason I love training bird dogs is because you can make it a family event! Last week  Jon brought his son Max along for the day. Max had a great time chasing birds and puppies. He even got to shoot the blank gun. I truly enjoy spending time with our dogs and kids. It’s so much fun when my boys take walks with the puppies and I. They even get to lead the puppies around the neighborhood. My boys like to play with the bird dog puppies as much as i do. Start them young kids and dogs a like.

Cowboy

Cowboy is a young male English Pointer pup we have been working for a couple of months now. He has a great nose and a sweet temperament. Like most Elhew breed dogs he is the complete package. He is going to make somebody a real nice hunting buddy. After a few short weeks he has developed more and more self confidence and a desire to find birds. He is even starting to hold his point until you get close or the flush. We contribute he great start to good genetics and lots of time in the field on birds. Spending time now will pay off this fall in the field.