I have a Mac OS and I just e-mail the image to myself and save it that way. (File, email image and then save to where ever you wish.)

Sounds like a fun and rewarding time.

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I was lucky to find a class for her. There are several in St. Croix County but they all run too long. For kids that are involved in sports and other activities, a 6 week class meeting twice a week does not work.

I spoke with a regional DNR rep and they recently have been telling their instructors to make more classes available that have less demanding schedules. Not shorter as the importance of full training here is paramount, but classes on weekends instead of weeknights as an example.

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I agree it certainly has become a lot for the kids. The long class length is also starting to effect the number of instructors that can or will commit. Hopefully there will be a solution.

Interesting link.

http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/shot-simulator

I believe you are correct on your dates. Here is a link for more info if you need a training permit.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/captive/dog_train_trial.pdf

In the off season it is best to join a training group or hunt club. By joining a club it very well might open up new opportunities for land as well as bird sources if you need them.

Bring him the vet and have him looked at. While you have him in have a Lymes test also. Lymes can cause lameness especially in the hind quarters.

Take a couple of burlap sacks, put a sack in a sack for a double layer and stuff it tight with rags.

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Interesting view from a nest.

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GUN DOG DOOR HEAVY DUTY CLICK HERE

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I would go with that door too. We have three and they have been great. Here is another link. I believe there are videos to view there too.
http://www.gundoghousedoor.com/gun_dog_house_door_details.htm

Try here.
http://www.chasingame.com/

or here

http://www.trailcampro.com/2009trailcamerashootout.aspx

This one seemed to be moving this a.m. while I was taking the morning off.

We only feed once a day, in the evening after they are done for the day. After a day of hunting or if we are on the road we mix in some canned chicken and gravy with their regular food to enhance their eating.

A few pictures.

A couple young ones.

A few from this spring.

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I have an 8 month old field bred English Springer Spaniel. I have had her retrieving dummies for the last couple of months, one of which I attached pheasant wings to. I introduced her to a dead pigeon yesterday. She retrieved it great but was unwilling to give it up. She chomped on it like it was food. How do I get her to release the bird to me with a much softer mouth? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Another idea. ( I couldn’t open Don’s clips)
At this early age I would go back and work on the “Here” command. A dog that understands that has little time for munching and messing with you.

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Great info. Thanks for sharing. Now is there a testing for older dogs that have not done any trails or hunt tests?

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The more advanced NAVHDA test, the Utility Test requires that the dog is steady to wing, shot and fall and retrieves to hand during a 30 minute field run. The dog also has to retrieve a duck from a drag to hand, do a marked retrieve on water and do an independent duck search. It also must be able to remain at a blind unattended while shots are fired and go through a heeling course.

If your dog receives a Prize I for it’s efforts tou will then be invited to the NAVHDA Invitation the following year. There the dog has to run the field with a brace mate. In the field the dog will have to be steady to wing, shot, fall and retrieve to hand. It also has to back/honor it’s bracemate. They also have to do a blind retrieve, retrieve a shackled duck and remain steady/honor another dog doing a water retrieve in front of them.

It is a fun process and in the end you have had a lot of fun training and a finished gun dog that you will enjoy hunting behind.

“At what age do you start with your pups on, lets say the formal type of training?”

I guess I would say that we just “socialize” our pups until they are over a year of age and then we start a little more formal training after their Natural Ability test. What I mean by socializing is to acclimate them to about everything around them. Take them places such as town, training days, parks, etc Get them around a lot of people and other “positive dogs. Play in the water, introduce birds and just let them hunt and learn life lessons by trial and error. No pressure but we do expect some form of obedience and respect.

“It can be a little overwhelming performing in front of other people, Can you give us a few tips if we were interested in doing this for the first time. What are a few things we should key in on to make a passing grade? “

The NAVHDA venue shouldn’t be intimidating to versatile dog owners as it is only an avenue for the average amateur handler to make his or her dog a great finished hunting dog. The NAVHDA program is not a competition but rather a training/ testing organization that sets up test standards for our training goals. If the average dog handler puts time into their dog the Natural Ability test should be relaxing and fun.

The NA test that we will run in may requires that the pup/dog is less than 16 months of age. They are judged on their field search, pointing, tracking and swimming. Through out the test the dog is also judged on their desire and cooperation. Basic puppy stuff if you are working on readying your bird dog for the fall hunting season. Just socializing and working your dog in a positive way on birds will ready most pups and handlers for the NA test.

If someone is interested in this NAVHDA you can check out their web site here. ( http://www.navhda.org ) You can also check out local chapters for training opportunities. http://www.scnavhda.org ; http://www.mnnavhda.com ; http://www.somnnavhda.com . These chapters are non-profit chapters that get together and provide training opportunities. It is fun to get together with other hunters that enjoy working with and training their hunting dogs. At many training days there are training birds available, free advice, and equipment to share. All in all a good time.

You can go from this..

To this and have fun doing it….

Congratulations. He is certainly doing well among some real stiff competition!! Best of luck in the 2009 season.

Here are a couple pictures from todays run. It was the last day of Wisconsin grouse hunting and I was hoping for a little luck. Breezie locked on a nice point but the grouse “magically” turned into a rabbit. It was fun never the less.
Samer checking in…

Breezie on a “furry” point.

We don’t have satellite but get our internet through Midwest Wireless via a cell tower. It is fast and so far has never failed regardless of weather, etc.

A great way to get your dog on birds and to train is by getting involved with organized training groups such as retriever clubs, etc. With your shorthair the NAVHDA program would perhaps work well for you. There is a MN Chapter that is active around the metro area. http://www.mnnavhda.com/2007%20Local%20Events.htm . The majority of members within NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.) are hunters that strive to have a quality hunting dog. They usually have permitted training grounds and have access to various training birds.

We recently completed our Natural Ability testing with our pup. She received a Prize I.

We are now training our male for the NAVHDA Invitational in Sept.

On hot days we do water work and that is a no pressure fun time for the dogs.

A great way to get your dog on birds and to train is by getting involved with organized training groups such as retriever clubs, etc. With your shorthair the NAVHDA program would perhaps work well for you. There is a MN Chapter that is active around the metro area. http://www.mnnavhda.com/2007%20Local%20Events.htm . The majority of members within NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.) are hunters that strive to have a quality hunting dog. They usually have permitted training grounds and have access to various training birds.

We recently completed our Natural Ability testing with our pup. She received a Prize I.

We are now training our male for the NAVHDA Invitational in Sept.

On hot days we do water work and that is a no pressure fun time for the dogs.

Roading is perhaps a loose term that means running the dogs for building up their stamina. We usually run the dogs various lengths of times and distances with a 4-wheeler.

Roading is perhaps a loose term that means running the dogs for building up their stamina. We usually run the dogs various lengths of times and distances with a 4-wheeler.

We are usually training daily in some form or another. When the weather gets warmer we run the fields late in the afternoons. We will be doing more water work as the weather warms and the opportunities arise. We are also starting to road the dogs in the late evening to keep them in shape. Hey we are always running out of pigeons, does anyone have any reliable source???

We are usually training daily in some form or another. When the weather gets warmer we run the fields late in the afternoons. We will be doing more water work as the weather warms and the opportunities arise. We are also starting to road the dogs in the late evening to keep them in shape. Hey we are always running out of pigeons, does anyone have any reliable source???

We did a little field work this weekend with the Southern MN NAVHDA Chapter and all went well. We also had the opportunity to spend a little time after the field work to let the dogs socialize and play in the water to cool down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/SmallMunsterlander2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/SmallMunsterlander3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/So.jpg

We did a little field work this weekend with the Southern MN NAVHDA Chapter and all went well. We also had the opportunity to spend a little time after the field work to let the dogs socialize and play in the water to cool down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/SmallMunsterlander2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/SmallMunsterlander3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Munsterlander/So.jpg

Our training has been proceeding along and was quite enjoyable with this weekend’s perfect weather. We have been mainly working on field work but I will have to get back into the blind retrieve mode soon. Here are a few pictures from this weekends run.

Breezie on point.

Samer on point.

Backing scenario.

Our training has been proceeding along and was quite enjoyable with this weekend’s perfect weather. We have been mainly working on field work but I will have to get back into the blind retrieve mode soon. Here are a few pictures from this weekends run.

Breezie on point.

Samer on point.

Backing scenario.