Pointing age?

[Jonesylass]

I bought a irish setter puppy ( some of you suggested against it) im delighted with her but only have one quick question is what age should she begin to point/ set?

[romanriver]

I would ask the breeder how old the parents were when they started

[Springfield Pointers]

They should point from pups. They won't be steady, but they should point from the moment you bring them home.

[Jonesylass]

How would i encourage her to point? Im wondering if theres something im not doing..? My training dvd hasnt arrived yet! Ive seen people with a wing on a string- what doea this do?

[trekmoor]

I have seen a few dogs in which the pointing instinct was late to develop. One Gsp that belongs to a friend did not begin to point until she was 18 months old.That is unusually late but it can and does happen.

My first Brittany pointed from the instant I got her at 8 weeks. My present Brittany took months more to develop the same degree of pointing instinct. I find that actually finding game is the best thing for developing the pointing instinct. I don't do the wing on a string thing with pups older than about 10 weeks and only do it once or twice anyway.

This is one of my Brittany pups doing a point and stalk on a bluebottle in the garden. Sight points do not count but so far I have never seen a pup that would sight point not develop into a pointer of scent.







Wullie

[Shep]

Just stop worrying about pointing. Some point at 8 weeks, some don't point until 2 years old. It will come - just don't get worried about it otherwise you will put too much emphasis on it. And where are your photos please, please.....

[Springfield Pointers]

How would i encourage her to point? Im wondering if theres something im not doing..? My training dvd hasnt arrived yet! Ive seen people with a wing on a string- what doea this do?

You cannot teach a dog to point.

[Jonesylass]

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!!

[Springfield Pointers]

A nice looking Brit there Wullie. The tail get caught in a door?

[Breezemoor]

We have had a number of Pointers, all have developed the pointing instinct at different ages. It's not a thing you can teach a Pointer or Setter.You don't say how old she is, but I would suggest you don't put her on birds until she is at least 12 months old. The danger is It's like putting a kid in a candy shop!! they just cannot control there enthusiasm. It's inevitable your dog will come across birds from time to time and that's o.k. If you have not already started I would suggest you concentrate on getting her to drop, this will give you the control if she does happen to come across a bird.