Bird dog training
 

For anyone who trained their bird dog, did you follow a training system or plan from any particular book?

Any particular book you'd recommend?

You might want to specify pointer vs retriever

Unless you are classic enough to separate bird dog from gun dog

Pointer.. Llewellin Setter in particular.

Thinking of putting down a deposit for spring 2019.

George Bird Evans "Troubles With Bird Dogs" is a great training program

Or do a search on Delmar Smith

if you decide on a trainer Springfield Kennels west of Port Huron did a great job with my Griff pup this summer.

I believe I used Delmar Smith's book while training my first setter, Sport around 50 years ago. It was a small paper back book.

BTW

Beyond basic obedience

Get the pup a book

He'll train you as much as the other way around

Get involved with a club which focuses on your breed/type of dog. I learned an awful lot by listening and watching men who were much more knowledgeable than I

Thanks, my English setter Willow will be turning 5 years old in January, I got her just as I was really starting to get involved in upland hunting. She has turned into an "ok" bird dog, but I feel like she could of been so much more had it not been for my poor training. That's not to say that I haven't had some great times with her, I really have a lot of fun and enjoy anytime I'm able to take her out. I've been thinking a lot about a new puppy lately, probably spring of 2019, and want to be 100% committed and do a good of job as a possibly can.. Not sure yet if this means hiring a trainer or what.

THIS. Trick is to learn from each other and there is no substitute for time and patience. Remember you are a team and you work together. Enjoy the journey.

JDG