Pointing age?

[Springfield Pointers]

I would suggest you don't put her on birds until she is at least 12 months old.

I would disagree with this. Get them into birds as soon as you are comfortable with doing so. The recall and stop should be clockwork when older, but dogs need to learn about birds as early as possible. Over drilling some dogs will make them bootlickers.

[Cass]

Thanks guys, she hasnt seen any birds or game yet so will try that, i understand that i cant teach her to point as such i just wanted to stimulate her to point. I will upload pics as soon as i find out how!!

How would she point if she hasn't been near any birds or game? I think you answered your own question

[Cass]

I would suggest you don't put her on birds until she is at least 12 months old.

This sounds like dangerous information to me. I don't have any pointing dogs but know a lot of people who do and the general consensus is the younger the better (especially within the first 20 weeks of life). No training or commands, just let the pup do what it likes (be it chasing or whatever)

[kent]

Likewise you cannot teach a pointer to point. You can encourage or discourage it (the latter through thoughtless action). Flash pointing is the norm when they first come across game, obviously no game equals no pointing, I spoke with a keeper who made many a non-pointing pointer point - he said he just took them out on his morning feeds and they started all on their own accord

If your expecting a ridged nailed to the spot classic point with foreleg raised and a straight tail you might be disappointed, some just stop and stare a bit, though you can develop things. Don't fret early days

[trekmoor]

I too would allow the pup near game just as soon as it was able to toddle about. Game not only teaches pups to point with no input from you , it also eventually teaches them not to chase if you work things right and let them see enough game.

This is my present Brittany pup at 5 months old backing the vizsla which is pointing a pheasant behind the log.
Good pointing dogs learn from experience not by wrapping them in cotton wool. Let the pup make it's mistakes while it is still young enough to learn fast from them.



Wullie

[Bruneval3]

Hi Jonesylass, is this the pup from your other thread, that is the "kennel howler"? If so how has she settled?

[Naj]

I also believe in getting the dog on game as early as possible & allowing them to self-train. If you want to help the dog develop its pointing side then that is the best you could do. By 6 months of age the dog would also be well on the way to being free of chase if you managed it carefully. I'd have nothing to do with a wing on a string. That is simply sight pointing & the last thing that you will want is to encourage a sight-pointing dog.

Naj

[Breezemoor]

Firstly to understand a Pointer or Setter you need to have owned one!

My posting was based on sound advice given to me several years ago from people who have bred, owned and won many field trial champions and hold Grouse shoots, where dogs MUST point, drop and be steady.

To many people purchase gundogs and want them to do everything they were bred for prematurely, without putting in sound basic training first. This is why you get to hear of many dogs being out of control at shoots and trials etc... then end up being sold on because their owners are unable to control them as they mature. Puppy's need to have there puppyhood! before being put under so much pressure, let them develop naturally.

[Jonesylass]

Thanks guys i will start to take her out and about with me around birds. Yes this is the pup who howled, she has majorly calmed down and is silent! The issues with my mother in law are almost resolved so generally doing great! I just eant to start off on the right foot with training this pup and get her right.

[Bruneval3]

Glad that all is sorted. Just start having fun with her!