Just got my 8 week old male pup yesterday . This is my 3rd Chessie, my fourth dog to train to hunt with me. I'm always open to advice, and would like to hear the group's suggestions on what I should or should not be doing during these first weeks (and beyond, if you like).
Common sense and the writings of Duffey, Tarrant, Wolters and others have lit my way in the past, but there's always more to learn!

Thanks in advance!

Charley

do -

keep him on a 6 foot lead in the house and a 20 foot lead while outside - 1/8 in diameter w/ a small snap

let him explore - inside the house, outside the house and fields where there are not a lot of other dogs running around.....(to keep her from getting parvo or other diseases that are common in 'high' traffic areas....

do give her lots of different toys - different textures, etc....

do teach her that there are certain areas of the house that are off limits....(this will reinforce that the house is yours, not hers, when she is older..)

do take her in establishments 9pet stores, etc) that allow dogs AFTER she has had all her vaccinations

so put him in puppy kindergarten classes (socialization classes)

use treats to teach him the commands, sit, come, down, heel, over, place (kennel) - until she is 4-6 months old......

do introduce him to live pigeons and eventually larger birds like live ducks - but be sure you do not force the issue----intro to birds should be at the puppy's pace.....

do introduce gunfire using a child's cap pistol during feeding time

introduce having someone else throw bumpers/toys.....use toys that squeak to get himattention (get him looking out)

introduce him to water - as long as it is about 60 degrees air temp and water temp.....

do feed him a high quality dog food - some people choose adult some large breed puppy...I think as long as it is good quality, you are making a good decision......

do give as much loves as possible!

donts


don't hit him - either on the butt or the head...

don't force him to do anything he is not ready for

don't overwhelm him with too much obedience - 5 minutes, twice a day

don't give him more than 3 retrieves at a time - 2-3 times a day

don't worry if he doesn't bring his toys to you....just run away from him and encourage him to come.....(or completely ignore him...)

Don't let him play with strange dogs - unless you are in puppy class....


Don't let him out of the kennel if he is barking/whining - unless it has been a long time and you know he needs to pee.....

Don't let him bite you or anyone else - or if it doesn't bother you to play with him let him know if he is biting too hard by pinching his lip on his sharp litte needle teeth and then ignoring him.....


there are a number of good puppy training books and videos...I highly reccomend Jackie Merten's video, Sound Beginnings....



gotta say I am absolutely thrilled with Dayzee - she is just a little love bug and has had no issues coming into a new home - after two days of travel and being kept overnight in Seattle at a friend's house, I think that is pretty darn good! I am very impressed with her high prey drive, quickness of feet and her agility and boldness.....right now, she is 'perfect'!

have you come up with a name for your new boy?

Juli

Homefront-

I'm new here too. I also have previous experience with curly brown dogs. I have a 16 week old female right now. I can't be sure I am doing right or wrong but here is what I've done.

8-11 or 12 weeks-

Security- First off I have made my girl feel secure around me. I am her human. I provide her food, shelter, and socialization. Along with this comes her name recognition and "Come". Much Praise here.

Play retrieves- I never ever scolded her for picking up anything and carrying it. I am letting nature flourish. As Juli stated the pup is provided the opportunity to retrieve what I throw once or twice a day, 2 to 3 x's each session. MUCH PRAISE HERE. If the pup runs off with the item or doesn't bring it to you stop. Show the item to the pup the next session and then put it away without the retrieve. After two days of showing the item throw it again.

Kennel- I teach this along with "Come" once the pup knows his/her/name.

Water- Judging from your location, now is when I would develop the intrest in water. Shallow warm water combined with play retrieves is my recipe. I work into deeper water as the pup is ready. Come November you may have some chilly water in PA, now is when I would start.

I try to build trust the first few weeks. I won't intervene in a lesson that should be experienced, I won't demand an action that will scare the pup either. Praise is my card. The pup wants praise and will find out how to get it.

Birds- I started at 12 weeks with a crippled dove from a hunt. The first one was taken to the next county. I didn't chase or scold. The second one was brought to hand. I am running her through a prosperous training field that is pregnant with quail. She is using her nose high and low. She brought me a male bob last week that was too wet to fly well and thought he could hide. I will start shooting them in a few days.

Manners/Obedience- I am using a short lead and "heel" at times now. I am accompanying "Come" with a whistle trill. "Sit" is also being toyed with. But still everything is happy and playful. No pressure, only praise. I have started to make her wait on leash before retrieving short tosses.

Again, I don't really know what I'm doing. I hunt waterfowl and upland birds. I love Chesapeakes.

oh, my girl's name is Charlie. She'll be in some wild birds in November. (pheasant)

My name is Charley, and I'll be in wild birds soon, too!
Thank you both for the replies.
Please keep them coming!

Nope, no name yet. I've never had such a hard time coming up with a name (I like "Gunner", the wife does not).

Juli, I'm seeing those same traits in what's-his-name .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: homefront,

How about one of these names?

Ace Boomer Bandit Chase Chess Chief Deke Drake Houncho Moses Jeb Jake Sarge Raider Rowdy Rip Toby

Good Luck with your new pup!

Raider is knda' cool .