Our English pointer is just over a year.  We have had him for 3 months as he is a rescue.. his behaviour at home cannot be faulted and recall in the garden works fine.  As soon as he is on a lead he 'snipes' and just wants to get off it, he doesnt pull but once he is off the lead and in a field he just heads to all bushes, ponds etc to chase out birds.  His recall then is bad - very bad.  He comes out when he is ready and most of the time just runs straight passed us to the next destination.  Along the canal path he is fine and most of the time comes back when called.  Please can you help - any suggestions

Pointers are "Bird Dogs"! It is what they were bred for so he is only doing what comes naturally.

This very subject was on here only a short while ago. Have a look at this thread.

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=362262;hlm=and;hl=chasing%20birds#362262

Best wishes, John

I don't have anything to add really to John's post as he has given the link to the previous discussion.

They ARE bird dogs and they have been bred for a very long time to find and point birds.  We have 3 pointers and they all show similar traits.  We work them so need them to be birdy but we also need to have control over them.  They are hard work but worth it.

Helen

I understand what you say about Pointers being birdy dogs... I do know all that, its just having control in the house, on the lead, roads etc and I know that he will not be 100% cured of his fettish with birds BUT a friend of mine who has 6 english pointers has much more control over them, whenever she recalls they come back on either the first of second call... Ollie my pointer doesnt even come back.  He is not interested in treats while Im out, tried liver cake etc... so no further forward!

Our English Pointer is 13 months.  Recall has been a challenge for us also.  There are several people that have lots of knowlege about gundogs on this website.  They have all been helpful to me.  One gave me some advice to try liver treat rewards for recall.  This did help.  But, I had to give a sit command too, otherwise she would grab the treat without breaking stride!  There are several liver treat recipes on the internet.  When we are out in the woods and Sadie is off lead, she will recall on the first command 8-9 out of 10 times, now.  That is without distractions of other dogs.  We have to keep working on it.  Hey, if he is not pulling on the lead I am impressed.  Sadie still pulls, but that is getting a little better...slowly.

Oh yes, they dont tell you about Pointers incredible range or that pups point at anything fluttery including crisp packets :D This takes me back a few months with Morse the Mischivieous aka Manic Morse. How did your Pointy Boy end up in rescue? Morse is Pointer plus Greyhound and we think he was sold as an English Pointer then passed on when they realised he was a cross (and how much energy the Pointers have).

Darling, Im well impressed with Sadies recall in the woods :) keep at the lead training and itll come good. Is she still steaming up your patio doors and nicking the kids toast? Morse is still addicted to rabbit hunting and rolling in eau de fox Im afraid.

Sadie is coming along.  I have a hummingbird feeder hanging from a shephard's hook about a foot away from our patio deck.  I'll catch Sadie out there with both paws up on the deck railing.  Her head will be stretched way out and tipping back the feeder.  She is drinking the sugar water as if she has just come in from a desert. 

Yesterday, she was laying on her back (paws up in the air) the sofa.  My 9 year old son was sitting next to her.  My son starting to back talk me, and Sadie gently set her paw right over his mouth.  I laughed until I had tears.

Interesting though...Sadie never messed with the kitchen trash until she turned one.  Now, she is always pushing the flap down looking and normally pulling out something.  And, we can't not forget and leave any food out on the counter or table.

:D :D :D

Our pointer ended up in a rescue home here in the UK because he was found in Ireland and brought over.  We were just very lucky to find him, he is incredible and do not know why he was ever abandoned.  He runs so fast like a greyhound and friends reckon there could be greyhound in him, whatever he is he is our special boy!! Apart from recall...now that is always a tricky one!..

What color is your English Pointer?  Our pointer is lemon color.  I just think they are one of the most attractive breeds.  We live in the States.  Our Sadie stays closer along a canal path too.  In the woods, she has improved her recall, like I said.  But hey, if there is another dog around I normally have to go and get her.  She is very very social. 

Our Pointer is black & white.  He is just wonderful.  We live in the UK.  He was brought over from Ireland and was placed in one of our many dog homes here in the UK.  We were just very very lucky to find him or the other way around...

Hi richnbex, I got very excited reading your dogs story as it is so similar to our Morse - hes a black n white Pointer Plus Greyhound found in the Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home who loves running very fast :) Morse is 20 months and Ive had him since he was 6 months. Whats the clue about coming from Ireland? So pleased to hear of another Pointy Boy, never a dull moment with em :)

Well... nothing really to add about our Pointer.  He was in a rescue home in Ireland - havent got a clue how he got there, why or even where in Ireland.  I just know that he was 1 of 20 dogs brought over from ireland to be re-homed within our area.  He was very very thin, dirty and his nails and teeth have not been cared for... He is a pickie of health now though.  He is putting on weight - slow process but because we think he may have greyhound in him he will always be thin (ish)....He is a dream though.  After the loss of our 8 month old Choc labrador unexpectedly our ollie was a welcome sight.  Our choc lab is another story!