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Post by jabba on Nov 15, 2005 7:59:35 GMT -5
on Sunday and then pawned her off on me. She seems to be about 5 or 6 months old. Real sweet but VERY timid. She was skin and bones... and I have been feeding her and letting her rest a lot to get her strength back up. She seems to be ok with my dogs, although she wants to defend the food bowl. I have been keeping her in the crate when not directly supervised as she is not completely housebroken.
Does anyone have any insight about Brittanys? I know they can be timid when abused... and she sure is timid, but very sweet, and loves to be around people. I am gonna let her get her strenght up a little before I get a pigeon for her to play with.
She is also very jumpy right now too. I am afraid that she may be gun shy. I'll cross that bridge when I get there though. Baby steps.
Jabba
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Nov 15, 2005 20:38:38 GMT -5
Yes Jabba brits can indeed be timid if abused. They are a dog that does not respond well to heavy handed training. Go slow with her, the pigeons are a terrific idea but don't put any pressure on her just let her have a good time. At this early stage it is important that she sees birds as the best thing since canned beer! Let her get used to you and her new surroundings, as you say baby steps. Make everything you introduce her to a fun experience. It is impossible to over praise her at this point she will learn what things make you happy. Gunshy can be cured so don't let it bother you besides she needs to developew trust in you before you should expose her to any gunfire and then it must be undertaken with great trepidation. Good luck A brit was my first "real" bird dog. truly nice bird dogs when handled correctly!
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Post by Bill on Nov 15, 2005 22:43:11 GMT -5
All the Britt's I have hunted with have been very single minded and totally concentrate on the work at hand. Only problem I have ever seen with them is if you get them within a mile of a skunk they have to go check it out. Even the stuff the vet recomends for removing skinkpiss dosen't work. We spent an hour scubbing two dogs off in the creek with the smell remover provided by the owner who was a vet and let me tell you, when the camper warmed up so did the dog and so did the skunkpiss. Ran us right out of the camper. Then we figured what the heck, the dog is dry, then he got ran out.  Love those Britts though. One of the nicest dispositions I have ever ran into in a dog. |
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Post by jabba on Nov 18, 2005 7:38:28 GMT -5
I have had good luck with dogs and gunshy... which means I have never ruined one... but I have never brought one back before either... so I may need a little help.
She's a house pisser though. Have to keep an eye one her constantly. She's coming out of her shell a little. Eating a lot, and drinking what I think is a lot. Therefore, going out to pee every 30 minutes is not out of the question. SHe'll hold it in the crate though. She did go once in the crate. She seems eager to go pee in the yard and then come get praised... so that's encouraging.
I had her to the vet and the vet said she was between 9 months and a year old, so I was a little off.
She loves naps in laps.
I have been deer hunting 3 days this work week.
I'll post that on hte deer forum.
Jabba
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Post by Bill on Nov 18, 2005 9:47:52 GMT -5
Sounds like you have another hunting buddy Jabba. |
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Post by jabba on Nov 21, 2005 7:08:08 GMT -5
Boy is she ever gun shy.
If she can hear a gunshot from over the hill she's crawling into a place to hide.
Don;t know if I'll be able to get that out of her ever or not. Just have to wait and see I guess. Spend some more time lettign her get comfortable around us.
Jabba
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Nov 21, 2005 13:11:43 GMT -5
Take it REAL slow Jabba. Get her involved in other facets of training, Rod and wing is the best right now. Once she is sticking the wing you can move forward to retrieving etc. The key to gunshy breaking is to go slowly and use tons of praise as she learns that the unexpected sound won't harm her. Typically dogs are not gunshy without reason. Most often the reason is improper introduction. It can be overcome if you move slowly and cautiously. When she starts really having fun chasing the wing on the rod you will need the help of a buddy. Make sure she is just crazy about chasing that wing and have your training partner shoot a blank pistol from 150 or so yards away. (one shot) if the shot causes an interuption in her chase just ignore it and continue playing the game with her. if she will have none of it thats ok tomorrow is another day. Play with her again move your buddy further out and try again. It may and prob will take a bit of time. DON'T WORRY about it just continue at the pace she sets.
Many times an amatuer handler will become upset at this point and show anger toward the animal which only reinforces the fear of gunfire. Just put her up if she gets scared show her a little patience and in time the gunfire will just become part of the training to her and she may stop to look but just go back to the wing. She learns that the shot doesn't bother you so must not be that bad. gradually move your shooter in closer to you. when he can stand quite close you are halfway there now give him a louder gun and move him back to his original "safe" distance you will possibly see some hesitancy on her part again, thats ok, just keep with it don't coddle her when she shows fear that too shows her that her fear has value.
Again SLOW! be patient with her some one else has done some damage to her you have to keep that in the back of your mind. If you remain patient and see this through you just may be rewarded by a fine gun dog!
Good luck!
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Post by jabba on Nov 22, 2005 7:08:45 GMT -5
She's gettting a lot more out going every day. She's wrestling with my GSP daily now. This AM I ran the vacuum in the room where her crate was. She went from cowering in a corner to sniffing the "sucking" end of the shop-vac in about 3 minutes.
We got her interested in a ball yesterday a little too. It was OBVIOUSLY the 1st time she had ever chased a ball. She was incredibly clumbsy, and puppy like. I simply do not believe that she's close to a year old. Vet said 9 mo-1 year. I think she's 7 months MAYBE.
My GSP is ball crazy so he didn't allow her much access to the ball. When we put him up... she didn't seem interested in it.
I need a digital camera really bad. Mine quit several months ago... and I am in withdrawl.
Jabba
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Post by jimiowa on Nov 22, 2005 22:31:31 GMT -5
Can`t offer much on training. But will say if I ever get out of these 60 hr weeks and have time to spend with a dog it will be a Brittany.
Years ago I got one for my kids for christmas. We had to put him down due to a rare birth defect(Balloned esphopagos). But in the few short months we had him ol Rowdy latched on to me and done stole my heart.
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