Started Dog

jeffstally

jeffstally

Member
As those of you that frequent the PDJ bulletin board already know, I have decided to get a started red setter instead of a puppy. She is 17 months old and quite far along in the breaking process. The breeder kept her and 4 of her siblings for trial dogs and she does not quite have the range that the other dogs do, but I am sure it is more than enough for me.

I will be getting her on July 15th.

I was little hesitant on getting a started dog due to a concern for how it will bond with me and how it will mesh with our family, but I think we will be ok if she is anything like any other red dogs I have seen.

I decided it was best to skip the puppy stage and 1.5 years of training and just get a dog that will be hunting for me this year. I am looking forward to having a small brace on the ground this fall.

Anybody have any tips for integrating a started dog into the home?
 
There is started and there is obtaining an older dog...neither precludes the dog bonding with the new owner.
My last three have been older setters...4, 8 an 3 when I got them.
All bonded fine...'course, they are setters.

Spend time with them, establish yourself as el jefe and give them opportunities to fulfill their genetics.
Dogs respond in kind.

Since I try to avoid PDJ for the high school atmosphere and Farmers...who is the breeder of your young dog?
Fazenbaker has nice red dogs.
 
Great looking dog. Good luck with her.
 
Great looking Red Setter. You shouldn't have any problems with her bonding to you and your dogs. If I ever get another dog I will seriously consider a started dog much like you did. Keep us posted on her progress.
 
Congrats on another dog , Jeff. I have purchased one dog that was almost three when I got her. She had been hunted a fair amount before then. Things were a little rocky at the start, but it turned out well. Temper your expectations at the start, there will be a transitional period where she learns you're in charge. I am suite you'll do great with her though. July 15 can't come fast enough, huh?!
 
i picked up a rescue lab, March 2011. She had run wild alot, but had desire, and hunt in her.

Jeff just love her, spend time with her, and she will be yours for her whole life.

My rescue did great last fall hunting, even though she is 3 legged....
 
cockerfan said:
Temper your expectations at the start, there will be a transitional period where she learns you're in charge. I am suite you'll do great with her though.
Click to expand...

great advice!
Just enjoy the bonding/transition period for a bit. Let her get to know you and the fam, and vice versa. Fall will come soon enough. btw-great looking pup. Have FUN!
 
I made the exact same decision on my last dog. Momma wouldn't live through another puppy in the house and she was awfully concerned over the activity level a young dog, especially hunting breed would add to the house.

I think my new dog was 17 months when I got him. He had grown up on a hunting preserve in SD and I think had very little human socializing I guess. He's very shy and took a while to warm up but he's a sweet as any dog, shy, but he hunts and thank God, calm as advertised.

There will be an adjustment period but for me the started dog was a better choice because of my lifestyle needs. I would make exactly the same choice again.
 
Well, the started dog I was going to get did not pan out. She was not correctly transferring over to foot hunting from horseback. I am going to hold out and I may get a broke dog from him in the fall.
 
When she was being transitioned from a horseback dog to a foot hunting dog, she lost intensity in the field and would not range out, most likely due to the lack of a brace mate to compete with.
 
My one setter washed out of FTing and when down hunting with another dog would catch at least two more gears in his run...for the competition aspect.


Outside of hunting season and the time given and needed to rewire, so to speak, tho...it seems an odd period to evaluate a pup.
But...good luck on your next candidate.
 
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