New Pup (Pics)

[Art Vandeley]

Figured I would show off my new puppy. He's an 8 week old springer spaniel. I've had him for about a week now. He is a lot of fun... I'm excited to get working with him in the future. His name is Watt.

If anyone has any words of wisdom or advise, I will be all ears. I have never owned my own hunting dog, and haven't ever trained one. I have ordered a couple of books to get me started.

 

[BrentD]

Welcome Watt. I like that name. I'm not sure why, but it's a good one.

No advice from me. My folks has a springer and she was way too smart for me.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Congrats! That's a great looking pup, good luck with his training.

 

[rustneversleeps]

Good looking Springer - did you pick him up locally?

 

[Aussie_hunter_JD]

My biggest piece of advice is hunting with a gundog is as much about a bond as it is a dog and it's master. I found that you must learn as much from the dog as it does from you. Every dog just like every person has it's idiosyncrasies. Get to know and understand them and you're off to a good start.

Your dog will most likely pick up things easily and do what you want without much trouble. At about 10-12 montha most though will hit their teenage years and seemogly everything you taught them will go out the window. Just persist and know they'll grow out of it. In the end you'll end up with the greatest of mates who will love you their whole life. All the best!

 

[Sawtooth]

Congratulations on a great looking dog. What type of hunting are you hoping to do with the little fella? Ducks? Pheasant?

 

[mtmiller]

Congrats on the pup. Looking forward to watching his development.

 

[406LIFE]

I tell all my new owners if you e never trained a dog before, spwnd the money and get a trainer for a handful of lessons. It will save both of you bad habits and lost time.

And take plenty of pics. It goes by too fast.

 

[fulldraw]

Great looking pup!

 

[kenton]

He looks like a good boy, yes he does.

 

[jeremys4]

I read that if you want them for shed hunting you need to spend the first 6 months on that then go to birds. My lab didn’t pick it up but I think that was from a lack of effort from me. Did that gsp take down that stag? Just kidding great looking dogs.

 

[Art Vandeley]

Good looking Springer - did you pick him up locally?

Uncle Rico, I got him out of Billings.

 

[Art Vandeley]

Congratulations on a great looking dog. What type of hunting are you hoping to do with the little fella? Ducks? Pheasant?

Pheasants mostly, with hopes he can accompany on my horn hunting hikes.

 

[sneakypete]

Look for a trainer in your area to help you get started and maybe some pointers for the future.

 

[stillkickin]

Great looking pup, keep us posted on progress!

 

[CampRipleyLF]

Awesome, congrats.... Enjoy it!

 

[1_pointer]

Great looking pup!! Good luck on the coming couple of years.

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

Beautiful pup! Excited to see what you two accomplish together!

 

[Northwoods Labs]

Great looking pup. Lots of good times ahead. Like others have said, take lots of pictures-they grow up fast

 

[Art Vandeley]

Watt is growing week by week.



We took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday and went for a short walk, keeping an eye out for whitetail sheds with no luck. He did good..



Also noticed this water mark on this large cottonwood, likely from the high water in the spring of 2018.




He turns 12 weeks old on February 8th. The house/potty training is going well. He now makes enough noise to wake me up at night when he needs out which is nice. I am following Richard Wolters "Gun Dog" training book, so I will begin formal training on the 8th.