GSP pup training question

[zzammon]

I have a 3 month old GSP. We are in the process of working on Sit Stay Come and she is taking it in a bit slow, so i continue to work on it. She really likes pheasant wings. She likes them more than food, and she really likes food. Should I wait till we have the basic commands under control before using the wings? Is there a way to use the wing for the Sit Stay Come training? Is it ok to put the wing on the fishing pole at this age? Thanks.

[setterguy]

I wouldn't be using pheasant wings at all from here on out. Using the wing on a string trick is fun to watch but only teaches a dog to sight point rather than use its nose.

Additionally, train however you want but most pointer guys do not teach sit or stay. Its down, and whoa. Whoa means to stop, wherever they are and stay until allowed to move. Usually a release command, Ok, all right...whatever you choose. Now the versatile breeds might be different, because they could theoretically be used in a duck boat or have to to a hunt test where sit and stay would be necessary.

I have some pretty easy ways to teach whoa, and she is the perfect age for it. At this age keep the training short, 10-15 minutes. Always end on a positive note and then play time right after.

[zzammon]

Thank you setterguy. I am right with you on keeping the lessons short and fun. I have used sit and stay in replace of the down and whoa, just because of my past training with retreavers. My typical hunting party are used to those comands as well. Even though sight pointing is different than sent point, doesn't it encourage a dog to hold any point, when praised for sight pointing??

[zzammon]

Setterguy, I wouldn't mind hearing about your whoa methods either if you are willing to share....

[GSP4ME]

The reason most of us dont teach the sit early on is that the dog tends to want to perfom the known command when there is pressure put on them with a new command. i wait to teach sit until my guys and gals have their other commands down first. Whoa is taught for obedience and safety.

Setterguy is right on with the wing on a string. You want the do to use the nose not the eye. A lot of the oldtimers never even think of using a wing on a string. It is about developing the nose not the eyes. This first season teach the come and some basic obedience. Let her have fun. My younest is 5 months old right now and is having a riot.

[870Express]

The reason most of us dont teach the sit early on is that the dog tends to want to perfom the known command when there is pressure put on them with a new command.

I can vouch for this. No sit, just whoa or you will have trouble when steadying later. Get that dog in the field as much as possible even if there aren't a ton of birds around you. She'll learn to use the wind, how to check in with you, the difference between a fence post and cow pies, etc.

[GSP4ME]

birds are the number one thing You can not make a bird dog with out birds