Ok. You’ve brought home that adorable, yet somewhat shark-like Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppy and you are ready to make her the ultimate versatile gun dog. Now what?
Training a bird dog puppy requires patience, consistency, and a structured approach. As all Griff owners can attest, your patience will be tried and you will question your resolve more than once, but for those of us who hunt with our Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, once the connection is made, there is no better hunting buddy out there!
All good things begin with socialization. Start socializing your puppy early. Introduce them to various people, environments, and other dogs in a positive and controlled manner. Socialization helps prevent fear and aggression issues later. Your local NAVHDA training days are great for this. Trips to Lowes are wonderful ways to get your puppy out there as well. We recommend waiting until your puppy is fully vaccinated of course but once Parvo is no longer a concern, get that puppy out and show him the world.
Start working on basic obedience right away. Teach your Griff the basics like “sit,” “whoa,” “come or here,” “heel,” and “down.” Use positive reinforcement techniques like treats, praise, and toys to motivate your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppy. Some handlers don’t like to teach their bird dog to sit because during a hunt test, if a dog sits, it could be a sign that the dog is confused about its role or unsure of what is expected of it. Also, sitting shows a loss of intensity, a characteristic of a hunting dog that is greatly rewarded in the bird field. If a dog sits without being commanded to do so, it may demonstrate a lack of responsiveness to the handler’s cues, which judges would frown upon.
At Beards & Bourbon Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, we introduce birds before our puppies go to their forever homes. Trust me when I say this, our puppies are birdy! Familiarize your puppy with the scent of birds using bird wings, feathers, or bird scent products. Allow them to sniff and investigate these items in a controlled environment. Start with tethered bird or just let them sniff the cage to prevent injury to the puppy.
Start teaching your puppy basic retrieving skills using toys or training dummies. If you plan to test your Griff in the NAVHDA NA, consider throwing the dummy into water, starting shallow at first and then eventually throw it far enough that the puppy has to swim to retrieve it. Swimming is a requirement for the NA test. Retrieving is not.
You’ll want to introduce your puppy to gunfire. Get your Griff accustomed to the sound gradually. Start with distance sounds and small gauge guns, increasing the intensity as your puppy becomes more comfortable. We always associate gunfire with birds so it’s a positive association and a fun experience.
Create simulated hunting scenarios to prepare your puppy for real hunting situations. This can involve hiding birds for your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to find or using training dummies to simulate retrieves in different terrains.
Finally, be consistent with your training methods and use positive reinforcement to motivate and reward your puppy for desired behaviors. Avoid punishment-based training methods, as they can undermine your puppy’s confidence and trust.
If you’re unsure about the training process or encounter difficulties, consider seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer experienced in bird dog training. They can provide personalized advice and assistance based on your puppy’s specific needs.
Remember that training a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppy takes time, so be patient and persistent. With proper training and guidance, your bird dog puppy can develop into a skilled and reliable hunting companion.