First deer dog.

[GSPrw]

Good morning folks.

I'm looking for advice on books or dvds or YouTube vids etc on training GSP's as deer dogs.

I have GSP's that I shoot over and use for picking up which come with me stalking but stay in the truck until needed and have just had natural ability to track but have a 6 month old I wish to use for deer only that will come with me much like Chris Dalton and his GSP.

So if anyone has any advice or book recommendations etc that would be much appreciated.

 

[yellow belly]

Big game indicating dogs from NZ youtube it and just concentrate on sit and heal work. The dog will do the rest without much bother

 

[NullMac]

If it is steady, just take it stalking with you and it will work it out quick enough.

 

[Fosbery Holster]

l was training a very young HWV on Snipe who was extremely steady whilst working methodically pointing and flushing them on command, (this wasn’t the first time she had worked them), after being cast off she began pointing the first couple of birds then everything changed no longer was she pointing snipe she was bumping them time and time again, she was transfixed on something further forward (stronger scent) l tried walking along side and also in front of her trying to block what she was scenting no chance she kept on until she came on point, directly in front of us was a huge boulder what the feck, she held point staunchly and as l walked slowly forward up leapt a Roe Buck from behind the boulder down she went and watched it away then not to long after she began pointing Snipe again, two extremely different scents at opposite ends of the scale.

She had never been exposed to or seen deer let alone scented them prior to this event. I wanted to use her as a bird dog but being a HPR breed it’s in them to indicate game so the “overriding scent“ at that point was deer so l didn’t have any qualms running her on birds or deer.

As NullMac says above they work it out quickly enough for themselves !

 

[GSPrw]

Thank you will have a look for that videos on YouTube.

Well sounds easier than trying to train them for birds

 

[Brittany boy]

The blue print method by Michael somebody

 

[wag]

Just sit with your dog on the forest floor and watch him. Mine will nose a munty 40yards off. It's all about you recognising his 'tells'. Stop whistle.If you want him for deer only discourage anything else. Otherwise he will point everything. No point intaking him to early, they get to excited and he'll frustrate you. Train him on a long line to walk 2/3 yards in front in a harness.Train him to heel on a slip lead, he has to know the difference. When you stop so should he. Always work him into wind in the ealy years.When you sit in a high seat long line him under the bottom rung and up to you, that way when you check him back to sit it comes from the right angle. Stop whistle.Run him hard / feed him before you go so he will settle quicker. Stop whistle.Mine are trained to click of fingers for close recall.phssst for sit. If he steps on a twig grumble at him. If you get him sorted in under 3 years your lucky. stop whistle. He will cost you deer.

 

[wag]

 

[Brittany boy]

If your going for a deer , leave the pup, if your training the pup then yes initially he will loose you deer but he has to get the experience and have time to learn what is required. If your stressed about filling the freezer with venison it will transfer to the pup, you’ll get frustrated at him and your bond will be weakened. Take your time , learn to read his signals, with a bit of luck you have the next ten + years together stalking. I wouldn’t go stalking without mines now, you walk he walks , you stop he stops, no need for commands. You watch him wind the air body language changes he turns to check your there then looks back towards the deer, ( just checking dad has scented it as well ) you glass instead as your nose is dull after thousands of years not using it, you spot the deer , take the shot , it runs into cover and drops. He turns round looks at you for permission to go find it, he walks at heal towards the shot site, you check the signs then send him for the find, he indicates by either barking or just jumping about or tugging at the deer, job done. The whole experience is so much better with a dog, spend the time initially and it will pay dividends. Only you will know how old the pup will be when you take it out , each pup is different and matures at different rates. Yes feed the dog before you go and exercise him to take the heat out of him before setting off. Give yourself plenty of time, not having to rush back for kids out of school etc. ( in a perfect world ) and just enjoy each other’s company, a dog opens up so much more of the countryside when he’s with you and just enjoy.

Sorry for rambling on but I love stalking with my mate.

 

[Superdrazy]

If your going for a deer , leave the pup, if your training the pup then yes initially he will loose you deer but he has to get the experience and have time to learn what is required. If your stressed about filling the freezer with venison it will transfer to the pup, you’ll get frustrated at him and your bond will be weakened. Take your time , learn to read his signals, with a bit of luck you have the next ten + years together stalking. I wouldn’t go stalking without mines now, you walk he walks , you stop he stops, no need for commands. You watch him wind the air body language changes he turns to check your there then looks back towards the deer, ( just checking dad has scented it as well ) you glass instead as your nose is dull after thousands of years not using it, you spot the deer , take the shot , it runs into cover and drops. He turns round looks at you for permission to go find it, he walks at heal towards the shot site, you check the signs then send him for the find, he indicates by either barking or just jumping about or tugging at the deer, job done. The whole experience is so much better with a dog, spend the time initially and it will pay dividends. Only you will know how old the pup will be when you take it out , each pup is different and matures at different rates. Yes feed the dog before you go and exercise him to take the heat out of him before setting off. Give yourself plenty of time, not having to rush back for kids out of school etc. ( in a perfect world ) and just enjoy each other’s company, a dog opens up so much more of the countryside when he’s with you and just enjoy.

Sorry for rambling on but I love stalking with my mate.

Hi, I've got a trainer helping me with my dogs, he wants me to use a acme whistle now, I initially was just using my mouth sounds and whistle with fingers.
I feel like he is training them more as a gun dog than for stalking.
Would you use acme whistles for deer stalking too?

 

[Brittany boy]

Personally I don’t use the acme whistle when out stalking as it will only alert the deer that your there. The dog should be under control anyway if stalking, walking at heel or just in front so you can watch him / her indicate that they have winded the deer. Let it trail a long line that doesn’t snag and if the pup gets too far ahead just stand on the line , they soon learn not to go too far ahead. The whistle is good if the dog is to be used in later life for other shooting disciplines and the stop command should they start to chase but that is best avoided if possible. I normally use the hiss to stop him if he gets too far ahead and he will sit till I get to him, but no harm in the whistle you never know what your shooting will develop into as the dog ages, and a well trained dog is always a pleasure to be out with.

 

[Precision123]

I'm very quiet with my dogs - a bit like Wag above - but m'Sahib, who trains gundogs, is very noisy, high-pitched and always waving her arms about.
She's the same with dogs too.

 

[FISH BOY]

My boy tracked his first deer Tuesday - done a few blood trails when he was young (now 2 years old) but I have to say I can’t take any credit - he picked it up naturally.

What they are meant to do

 

[Free range rob]

My boy tracked his first deer Tuesday - done a few blood trails when he was young (now 2 years old) but I have to say I can’t take any credit - he picked it up naturally.

What they are meant to do
View attachment 279855

Which harness is that

 

[FISH BOY]

Which harness is that

It’s a Hurtta - 80 -100cm - bought it off a fellow member and it fits my 32kg lab great.

Have to say that the breast protection lining is a bit soft - my boy has already managed to rip it in a few places on the brambles after half a dozen stalks.

Boy is he keen when it goes on