Positive Gun-Dog Training Weekend

I was delighted to be able to work with my mentor once again, Inga From (head trainer at Midwest Animal Rescue Services), helping her with a weekend seminar.  Furthermore, I was very excited to be able to meet an amazing dog training from England, Helen Phillips.

Inga is one of only a handful of trainers in the United States that teaches positive reinforcement training for hunting dogs.  Helen has been using positive training for hunting dogs in the UK for 25 years and gave an amazing seminar over the weekend.  Many people attended from all over the United States and Canada.  Although I am not a hunter and will never do this sort of training myself, I believe it is very important to learn as much as I can about all types of dog training.  I also had a wonderful time helping out people as I learned alongside them, and got to meet a lot of other trainers as well.

If you are interested in learning a really great non-traditional way to train your dog for hunting, please consider Positive Gun Dogs of Minnesota, with local trainer Inga From.

Helen Phillips in the classroom.

Helen demonstrating in the field.

Helen Phillips & Athena

Athena & Inga From

Some of the weekends participants.

Breed of the Month--Weimaraner

Weimaraner


Color:  Solid color in silber-gray or mouse gray
Height:  Males:  23-27.5 inches/  Females:  22.5-25.5 inches
Weight:  Males:  66-88 lbs/  Females:  55-77 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Hip and elbow dysplasia, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, bloat, and von Willebrand disease.


Coat:  Two types:  1) Shorthaired:  sparse or no undercoat/ strong, dense, short outercoat,
2) Longhaired: may have sleek, smooth, short undercoat/ long, wavy, soft, flat outercoat.
Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Possibly descended from schweisshunds and the brackes, the Weimaraner was developed in Germany, where the dog was favored in the court of Weimar.  This breed was originally bred to hunt and track large game like wolves, bears, and big cats.  Over the years, hunters added bird-hunting abilities as the bird game became more abundant.  Today the Weimaraner is a champion in agility, obedience showing, hunting, and field trials.

The Weimaraner is alert, high-energy, obedient, and friendly.  This breed learns things quickly, but will bore easily if not challenged.  This athletic and talented dog needs plenty of time outside everyday and go socialization.  I have experienced several Weimaraners that are very nervous and anxious.  Socialization, proper training, and an owner's calm disposition are vitally important for the Weimaraner.

Exercise:
A Weimaraner craves some good time outdoors to sniff, hunt, and run in large areas.  This breed requires an immense amount of exercise every day.  If not properly mentally and physically exercise, this breed can become very distractive, very quickly.  This breed literally thrives on exercise.  The Weimaraner makes an excellent biking or jogging partner.

Grooming:
Occasional brushing and use of a hound glove are sufficient to keep his coat clean.  The longhaired version of this breed should be brushed weekly.  The Weimaraner's ears should be checked often and kept clean.

Training:
To develop confidence and trust, it's important for the Weimaraner to be well socialized.  This breed needs an owner who can remain patient, persistent, and calm during training, and he will learn quickly.  The Weimaraner bores easily if not challenged.

The Weimaraner needs plenty of daily exercise!

Breed of the Month--Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier


Color:  Any shade of gray-blue, may have black  points or small white markings.
Height:  Males:  18-19.5 inches/  Females:  17.5-19 inches
Weight:  Males:  33-40 lbs/  Females:  less
Life Span:  12-15 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Eye problems, ear infections, patellar lunation, skin problems, hypothyroidism, and cerebellar abiotrophy.

Coat:  Dense, soft, wavy, silky single coat.
Country of Origin:  Ireland

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standard and more information.

The origins of this breed are somewhat unknown, but the Kerry Blue Terrier has been in Ireland for at least the last 100 years.  The Kerry has been used to watch over their families, hunt, guard property, kill vermin, and tend stock.

The Kerry Blue Terrier is confident, feisty, and intelligent, which can lead to a territorial breed.  It is important to properly socialize the Kerry.  The Kerry can be a rough playmate, and should be closely monitored with other dogs.

For me and my personal dog taste, I am not a huge fan of the Kerry Blue Terrier.  That does not mean that can not make a wonderful pet for you and your family.  My experience with this breed has noted an excess of energy and stubbornness.

Exercise:
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a very high energy breed and needs a lot of daily mental and physical stimulation.  The Kerry is very intelligent and will find fun in any game you could want to play with him.  The Kerry enjoys being outside.

Grooming:
Show Kerrys need professional grooming.  The average pet Kerry will also need to be taken to a professional groomer about every 6-8 weeks. Their coats shed very little and make great pets for people with allergies.  Occasional bathing of the breed is sufficient.  Extra care must be taken to make sure the eyes stay clean and free from infection.

Training:
The Kerry Blue Terrier require firm training that also keeps the dog interested.  Focused, short training sessions are best for the Kerry.  It is very important to socialize this breed as a puppy and throughout life to keep him from becoming too territorial.

Breed of the Month--German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

Color:  Liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white ticked, liver roan, may have markings of tan.

Height:  Males:  23-26 inches/  Females:  21-25 inches

Weight:  Males:  55-70 lbs/ Females:  45-60 lbs

Life Span:  12-15 years

Breed Health Concerns:  epilepsy, hip dysplasia, bloat, von Willebrand disease, and eye problems.

Coat:  Short, dense undercoat, with a short, dense, rough, hard outer coat.  

Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information. 

Germans used many types of bird dogs for hunting as far back as the 1700s.  By combining several types of tracking and pointing dogs, a new breed of versatile gun dogs began emerging by the 1800s.  The German Shorthaired Pointer is believed to be a combination of English pointers and the German Bird Dog.  Additions to the bloodline over time helped make the breed into a dog that would excel at water work, tracking, and retrieving.  

The German Shorthaired Pointer is very excited and enthusiastic about most anything.  Whether its hunting, going for a walk, or just hanging out with his family, the GSP is happy to follow.  The GSP is great with children, but has an intensely high energy level.

Exercise

The more exercise the German Shorthaired Pointer can get, the better.  The GSP needs to run.  To help drain this breed's energy, many owners join some sort of activity such as:  agility, obedience, hunting, or flyball.  

Grooming

The GSP's coat requires very little care to keep it looking nice.  This breed loves water and the many swimming escapades will require frequent bathing.  Take special care to keep the GSP's ears clean and free from infection.

Training

The German Shorthaired Pointer is very people oriented and eager to please, making the breed fairly easy to train.  Combine this breed's training with high value rewards like running, and use brief but positive training sessions to keep his attention and get the best results possible.