Training Pudelpointer Pup

[jlw0142]

I'm going to be bringing home a pudelpointer soon and I'm looking for any training tips for versatile dogs. I am planning to test the dog in NAVHDA and she will be my hunting buddy for everything from ducks to pheasant to squirrels. I have read Bob Farris's book, as well as the NAVHDA Green book and Chuck Johnson's book. But, I have never trained a hunting dog before so I guess I'm a little nervous about it. At this stage in my life, I have the time to train her myself, but I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. I think I have a good plan, but any practical tips would be very helpful. I am deep in the money hole on this one, so I'm not gonna buy any online courses. Thanks in advance - any advice or tips, no matter how big or small, are helpful!

 

[IdahoElk]

I'm no expert but have done the NAVDA test with my Small Munsterlander, All I did to prepare was scent train, practice stay and fetch, Water train fetch and my dog did fine. I couldn't care less what my dog scored( part of ownership agreement from breeder) BUT there were people that took this test very seriously and got a little out of control when puppies acted like puppies.
Good luck and don't stress too much.

 

[jlw0142]

I'm no expert but have done the NAVDA test with my Small Munsterlander, All I did to prepare was scent train, practice stay and fetch, Water train fetch and my dog did fine. I couldn't care less what my dog scored( part of ownership agreement from breeder) BUT there were people that took this test very seriously and got a little out of control when puppies acted like puppies.
Good luck and don't stress too much.

Thank you! Thankfully, my breeder also told me he wasn’t too concerned with scores. So we are just going to go into it with modest expectations, have a good time, and hopefully learn along the way.


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[mlchase]

You are doing the right thing by thinking about it and planning it and researching as opposed to let's shoot a gun around him and see what happens! So you will be fine. Don't overthink it, but as you introduce things to the dog, learn to watch their cues - each one is different. I had a method that worked for me and hard charging male dogs....and then we got a female dog. All bets were off as I navigated feelings. Now that I have navigated that, we have found a path.

They can be trained/introduced to a lot more things than many people think they can when they are puppies, so don't wait, but also don't try and treat them like an adult dog when they are three months old. Let them be pups, but don't let that be an excuse to not break discipline and commands. Once they learn something, they know it and don't let it be optional. It may need to be reinorced and practiced, but they know it. Make it fun, work on basic obedience and get them to enjoy working with you. You will have a blast. Also, if you have other family members be sure that everyone knows the rules and non-negotiables....with each family, these may be different, but just remember dogs don't process "maybe" or "sometimes" well. So if you have things you want to stick to (place command while you eat, not jumping, etc.) that everyone in the family has to support this or it can be a two steps forward, three steps back...

 

[Exterra]

I have never trained a Pudelpointer, but have trained many retrievers. As stated above the key to any type of training is consistency.
I'll be getting a Pudelpointer about this time next year. I'm definitely interested in seeing what tips you receive. Enjoy the journey.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

I'd also recommend Joan Bailey's book "How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves".

Work on obedience and exposing your dog to as many wild birds as possible the first year. Give them the first year and don't put too much pressure on them, the next 10-12 years are yours.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

There are many Drahthaar owners who post here. Most in the Birds section. They are all smarter and better trainers than I am. Trying to keep it short......

It's easy to:

Get overwhelmed with a new puppy. You want the best for it. You read. Watch videos, etc. You have a new "toy". You want to play with it as much as possible. You want a "Big Dog" as quickly as possible.

RELAX

You have a lifetime with the dog


In the Draht World, we are generally Spoiled. As I have gotten older. And am on my second, with Chesapeakes mixed in......with a WELL BRED Versatile dog....you don't need much.

Meaning.....If you dog Comes back when you call it. Wont take off for the next county....you are 50% to a hunting dog.

Don't short cut the firearm exposure. One of the rare things you CAN fug up.

But other than that.....get that dog out ANY and EVERYwhere. You will be surprised what a 4 month old pup will find and can do.

Sit, Stay and Heel and HUNT will get you 75% done.

Relax. Don't go Too Fast. Manage your Expectations. Enjoy the Process

Most simple advice I was given by a man I am not really a fan of...but he is still correct to this day

"The dog makes Dog decisions....you make the Human decisions.....,make good Human decisions"

You can avoid many things like dogs running, off. Running into traffic. Getting swept down current. Getting hit with a boat prop. Heat Stroke. Those are Human decisions YOU control. Make good one.

 

[jlw0142]

I'd also recommend Joan Bailey's book "How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves".

Work on obedience and exposing your dog to as many wild birds as possible the first year. Give them the first year and don't put too much pressure on them, the next 10-12 years are yours.

I’ll grab it! Thank you


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[jlw0142]

You are doing the right thing by thinking about it and planning it and researching as opposed to let's shoot a gun around him and see what happens! So you will be fine. Don't overthink it, but as you introduce things to the dog, learn to watch their cues - each one is different. I had a method that worked for me and hard charging male dogs....and then we got a female dog. All bets were off as I navigated feelings. Now that I have navigated that, we have found a path.

They can be trained/introduced to a lot more things than many people think they can when they are puppies, so don't wait, but also don't try and treat them like an adult dog when they are three months old. Let them be pups, but don't let that be an excuse to not break discipline and commands. Once they learn something, they know it and don't let it be optional. It may need to be reinorced and practiced, but they know it. Make it fun, work on basic obedience and get them to enjoy working with you. You will have a blast. Also, if you have other family members be sure that everyone knows the rules and non-negotiables....with each family, these may be different, but just remember dogs don't process "maybe" or "sometimes" well. So if you have things you want to stick to (place command while you eat, not jumping, etc.) that everyone in the family has to support this or it can be a two steps forward, three steps back...

That’s great advice, thank you!


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[jlw0142]

There are many Drahthaar owners who post here. Most in the Birds section. They are all smarter and better trainers than I am. Trying to keep it short......

It's easy to:

Get overwhelmed with a new puppy. You want the best for it. You read. Watch videos, etc. You have a new "toy". You want to play with it as much as possible. You want a "Big Dog" as quickly as possible.

RELAX

You have a lifetime with the dog


In the Draht World, we are generally Spoiled. As I have gotten older. And am on my second, with Chesapeakes mixed in......with a WELL BRED Versatile dog....you don't need much.

Meaning.....If you dog Comes back when you call it. Wont take off for the next county....you are 50% to a hunting dog.

Don't short cut the firearm exposure. One of the rare things you CAN fug up.

But other than that.....get that dog out ANY and EVERYwhere. You will be surprised what a 4 month old pup will find and can do.

Sit, Stay and Heel and HUNT will get you 75% done.

Relax. Don't go Too Fast. Manage your Expectations. Enjoy the Process

Most simple advice I was given by a man I am not really a fan of...but he is still correct to this day

"The dog makes Dog decisions....you make the Human decisions.....,make good Human decisions"

You can avoid many things like dogs running, off. Running into traffic. Getting swept down current. Getting hit with a boat prop. Heat Stroke. Those are Human decisions YOU control. Make good one.

Thank you so much, this is very helpful!


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[omicron1792]

 

[Dogone]

I had Fritz ,a handsome black pudelpointer. Damn he was smart. Knew what to do but only if it suited him. A hard dog, not soft like a lab. Long gone but remembered.

 

[KurtR]

Group training days to learn from people with experience. Enjoy the puppy phase they are like a sponge. Little manners like not busting out the front door or shooting out of the kennel are easy to teach now with treats and praise . Exposure to everything except gun fire that’s one you don’t want to mess up. Dogs are not born gun shy they are made.

When I start another puppy I will be following pat Nolan’s program. It ls retriever centric but will work for any dog. He uses it when he is training his bite dogs also.

 

[jlw0142]

Group training days to learn from people with experience. Enjoy the puppy phase they are like a sponge. Little manners like not busting out the front door or shooting out of the kennel are easy to teach now with treats and praise . Exposure to everything except gun fire that’s one you don’t want to mess up. Dogs are not born gun shy they are made.

When I start another puppy I will be following pat Nolan’s program. It ls retriever centric but will work for any dog. He uses it when he is training his bite dogs also.

I’m gonna look into that. Thank you!


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