I inherited a really nice 2 yr old female GSP . The original owners just didnt have the time to keep up with her and I have allot of property for her to run. By the way she has a tremendous amount of energy!!!!  Anyhow she has taken out three chickens to date, after the kill she buries or hides the bodies. I was told to beat her with a dead chicken and I did just that on the last kill. It seems to work so far but I really would like to take her and work her on grouse. Or at least try. Have I ruined her? She still is interested in chickens, but is hesitant so far. Did I mention she has a tremendous amount of energy??

I don't think beating a dog is ever a good thing to do.

point taken

You need to start from ground 0 and build a foundation sounds like you have a birdie dog ! get the yard training in her, teach her to fetch every thing to you, stop letting her run UNATENDED untill you have HER IN control, this is what I would do ? have her forced fetched by a pro,,  yard training,, teach her "here" heel "and "whoe" commands,, reinforce all commands with the E-collar you got a free dog its probably salvgeable if you put some serious training in her you might end up with a monster bird finder ! AND NEVER BEAT A BIRD DOG WITH A BIRD OR FOR THAT MATTER BEAT A DOG A LITTLE SCHOOLING DOESNT HURT AT THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE LIKE CHASING CARS BUT NOT FOR HUNTING THEY ARE PREDATORS..She wont kill anymore Chickens if she is baby sitted or fenced in like hunting dogs are supposed to be ! good luck !

I worked her on a line last night just fetching and stopping at my feet, still allot of puppy in her, i guess that is good. She is starting to release in my hands too. But if she would just calm down a bit, what a wiggle butt.

Give her time, with a little TLC she will come around. I have 3 GSP and the youngest is 1 1/2 yo and she has more zip than the other 2 put together it's all nervous energy just like a kid she has to learn to channel the energy with your assistance that can be done. But don't beat her reaasure and put the time in she will amaze you later.

I own 3 GSP's and they all have a lot of energy which is not always a bad thing. I know they respond well to training and enjoy it. Do you have access to a pond or a place where the dog can swim? that will help release some of her energy. Good luck with the dog and post a pic when you can

She has not been allowed to run around for awhile now. I let her go this AM while feeding the horses, she did well. Last night while on her line she stood on stand three times watching chickens after I let them out for abit. She is doing better but if they fly up the chase is on! Good reason she is tethered. I have a small whistle I've been playing with at night in the house she comes she gets pet & sometimes a treat. I'm hoping to see if the whistle works or not. Though my voice seems to work well too. Anyhow she is coming along. I know of no one else in northern NY or Quebec that has a trained dog for pointing so I'm kinda on my own, but she has game!

Tfrench, you and your dog are training eachother. Granted she is energetic, she is teaching you to deter that energy by useing YOUR commands. Your voice and tone is all you have to manipulate that energy in her. Combine that with rewards for obedience to your commands, and you've got something going. I agree with the others that "Beating" is not the answer, but a light rap on the keester for wrong-doing is ok (and works) in my book. It's not the force that diciplines, but the" action" (Combined with the voice commands) itself. I trained my heeler with a common wooden ruler. Never whopped her, but just commanded and more-than-gently tapped her keester. (With the flat, not the edge!) Dogs have thick coats, and it takes some real force (That you must control) to really penetrate to a point of pain. Do not use that amount of force, and keep in mind that it is AN ACTION, not a beating. I now have her to the point where all I have to do is say"Do you want me to get the ruler?" And if she tries to challenge my COMMAND, I show her it. Issue overcome!

Yesterday morning was real nice out in the North Country so I took her out in my big field and in the woods with no leash. We both had a blast. She ran out some pent energy I learned and watched. I noticed she likes to run about 100-150 yards in front of me, then circle back. She really had her senses torqued out after we left my field(about 11 acres) and entered the woods and swamp. She did get out of site a few times but I must say with a whistle or two she beat it back double time. I own a 40-50 acre hay field behind that and by the time we got to that field she stayed right within 100 feet as I walked around the perimeter. Up date on chicken killing. SHe wants them and occasionally lites out on her dog run after them, but I see a big improvement as she will break off and come back when I call her out.

Stick with it as you (Both) are progressing. Most (Trained) dogs will wander, but will always keep their master in sight. And vica-versa. When you loose eyesight of her, let into the whistle. Also, it sounds like she is a NATURAL bird dog. Exactly what you want to flush the birds from the weeds. The reason she is killing the chickens is because they "CAN'T" fly away. She is doing exactly what her instincts tell her to do, and obviousely is good at it. Your next hurdle may not be going to fetch the bird, but bringing it back. (In 1 piece. If at all!) Laf! Cross that bridge when you get to it. Last; have you exposed her to gunfire yet to see how she reacts? Another small piece of the puzzle that you will have to address in time if you already havn't.

The light should click in her head, with some solid training, as to what is expected of her sometime in the next year. My GSPs are nearly 2 years old and are still learning about things. I have them find birds for me, but still have to send them to a trainer to have them, AND MYSELF, trained on a few different things. With all the guys I've spoken to at the bird club, they're setting up a couple different outtings this summer to help teach me, and my dog, some things so they will steady to flush and shot and not just find the bird before I shoot it and after it falls dead.

Once you have your pup trained and you start to hunt with it. I have noticed that MOST hunters forget one rule. Always try to hunt the pup into the wind, their nose will work much better. Many a good dog had bad days when their masters tried to hunt them down wind and use too much control over them. If I could find the birds then I would not need a dog. TRUST their nose.

My Lab kills cats....what's the problem.....well, he did think a skunk was a cat the first time he encountered one....that didn't work out too well.....

Meet a true chicken killer...  her name was Patches.

ever wonder why people give away dogs?

Contact Lunkerdog here....I believe he is still short a dog or 2 and may take it off your hands.

Dogs are a heck of a lot smarter than we often give them credit for being....sometimes way smarter than their owners....I contend that just about any decent dog can be trained to do about anything or not do about anything with patience and reenforcement....sometimes positive, sometimes negative......I am talking deportment not trianing a sheitsu to chase and bay bears.....

I wanted to ask... do German Shorthair Pointers make good house/family dogs? I mean like a Labrador is a real friendly goofy kind of best buddy dog? I am about this close to sealing a deal on a GSP puppy, but something in my head keeps yelling Labrador.. get another Labrador. My last dog was a Labrador and he kind of spoiled me, he was so perfect. But I kind of like the idea of a GSP. A pointing dog. That is if they behave, obey commands, and are good family dogs, like my Labs were. I tell you why I ask.. one person did own a GSP and he claimed it was a little snappish around kids, and also would growl at strangers that stopped by his house. He said it never took a bite out of anyone, but did try a couple times. And he had to lay the law down to it.

If you get the right breed GSP you will love the deferent styles of hunting if the dog is trained to hunt for the gun. I had Labs I loved them but for hunting upland game there is a great feeling watching your dog hold point ! They shed but it doesnt float in the air like the Lab under coat does thats a plus and with family friends the GSP loves people as does the Lab If you like that pup you should gert it 10 yrs ago I was thinking the same thing as you were I had Labs at the time now I own 6 GSPs and an English Pointer the Labs are gone old age but the Lab is the worlds best all around dog for a reason there  nice dogs but for a pointing breed the GSP is the best of the best for all round hunt and family pets...

Posted By ColoradoHunter1 on 15 Apr 2012 04:10 PM
ever wonder why people give away dogs?

Contact Lunkerdog here....I believe he is still short a dog or 2 and may take it off your hands.

Hey, if you are going to give Lunkerdog a dog, please let it be well trained.  Not that I don't think he is up to the task, I'm sure he is.  Its just that we could really use a well trained dog this October for our 3rd annual grouse get together.   

Once a chicken killer always a chicken killer.Only one way to stop it and that's a lead pill