If you’re planning on bringing home a German Shorthaired Pointer, you have to set aside some time in your daily schedule for your dog’s training. These dogs are highly intelligent but can be stubborn without the right training.
To train a German Shorthaired Pointer to point, teach him the “whoa” command. It will teach him to stay frozen in the pointer position even when the prey flies off or runs away. It will also keep your dog from getting too close and scaring away the animal. Consistent training will help develop your pup into the ideal companion.
In the rest of this article, we will explore this training regimen in more detail. We will provide a step-by-step guide to clearly understand how to get your German Shorthaired Pointer pointing right away.
Understanding the Breed
The Shorthaired Pointer breed was developed in Germany as the perfect dog to hunt and point out game. They are well-equipped with the pointing instinct, but it will take training for you and your dog to work as a team. By molding your dog’s instincts around your commands, you will have an obedient, pointing companion.
Pointing is when your dog finds an animal of prey, usually with his nose, and freezes. Hunters bred a dog with this behavior so they could notice their dog frozen in place and easily locate prey. With the dog not chasing the prey, the hunter can take his shot. Typically, your German Shorthaired Pointer will freeze when they see rabbits, birds, small critters, or even insects.
You may notice your dog pointing if he freezes, with his nose in the direction of another animal. He may lift his front paw as well, also pointing it in the direction of the little critter.
German Shorthaired Pointers are a working breed and have the desire to perform this kind of job. This will work to your advantage if you begin training them to do what they are great at– pointing. They enjoy the mental and physical demands of the job they were bred to do. By developing this skill together, you will have a happier, better-behaved dog all around.
Remember that even though these dogs are bred for this activity, training your dog will still take time. It will be an ongoing process of training and reinforcing what your dog has learned. It is important not to get frustrated with your German Shorthaired Pointer but to patiently engage with him throughout the training journey.
Training Basics of Pointing
To train for pointing, the ability to follow off-leash commands is essential. Your German Shorthaired Pointer should develop the skill to listen even when there is a small animal involved.
One of the biggest aspects of your dog’s training in pointing is teaching him how to maintain enough distance to signal the animal without scaring it away. If your dog is too excited, it may get too close and cause the animal to flee.
The second key part of training is making sure your dog doesn’t run after the animal himself. Engaging in this instinct can be dangerous for a hunting dog since it could lead him to get in the way of the shot.
To train your dog to point, you have to help him understand his job. For effective pointing, he must first locate the prey at an appropriate distance, then freeze to show you where it is and remain frozen even if the animal takes off.
Before you begin the training specific to pointing as outlined below, first make sure your dog responds consistently to his name and “come.” Once these two commands are learned completely, you are ready to move on to the more specific and intermediate training commands.
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend picking up this online based training program that will walk you through the steps to train your dog. At just $47, you get a structured and detailed training program from a professional trainer for just a fraction of the cost of a local trainer.
Teach Your Dog “Whoa”
For pointers, a classic command you will want to teach is “whoa.” In hunting, whoa means “stop.” You need to train your dog with it so he can stop on command when out in the field.
There are many different methods to teach this command, involving barrels, tables, and other props. However, these items are not necessary. For the core method we will explain here, you just need a ten-foot (three-meter) lead to get started. I’d recommend getting the leash below from Amazon.com. Click on the leash and it will take you directly to Amazon.com.
Attach the lead to his collar as usual. Then make a loop with the lead under his belly and send the end of the lead through this loop. This configuration will create a full-body for your dog during training. It will help him understand he is expected to stop but not to sit down.
To see a demonstration of how to loop the lead correctly, you can watch this short Youtube tutorial:
Now, you are ready for your first “whoa” training session. Walking with your dog on the leash alongside you, give the common “whoa” and gently guide your dog to stop. You can use his collar and the lead in your hand to guide him into a stationary, standing position.
Remember to shower your dog in praise, positive reinforcement, and little treats as he does what you are asking him to do. Your goal is a positive association between saying the command and standing still. A popular training treat my dogs love are the salmon flavored Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Wild Bits (available on Amazon.com).
As your dog gets the hang of it, you can work your way up to moving around him once he is standing still. Slowly introduce more and more stimulation. Adding your movement while he remains still is a great first step. Remember to reward him when he performs the desired behavior.
When your dog has learned this command, you can bring in live animals to make it more challenging. Now, using a long lead attached only to the collar, bring your dog to a space with live birds and other animals.
Give your dog the whoa command when they have spotted the bird. The goal here is to get your dog to remain still when you issue the command. He has to resist the temptation to chase the prey. The leash can help you keep him from chasing. Continue to practice, praising the dog when he remains still.
The final step of this training is to keep your dog still as the prey takes off. It is best if you have a friend to help you here. Repeat the step above, keeping your dog on a long, slack lead in the presence of wildlife. Give the whoa command. Now, have your friend startle the prey and get it run off or fly away.
The goal here is for your dog to remain perfectly still even as the animal takes off. Remember to give lots of praise when your dog performs this behavior. For the many times he may fail, you have the leash to prevent him from running off.
As your dog improves with this command, you can practice without the leash.
Continue to practice this training regularly and over time. With effort and patience, your dog will learn to consistently follow this command instead of instinctively reacting to a runaway animal. The more you practice, the higher your chances of helping your German Shorthaired Pointer learn the pointing behaviour.
Reinforcement Methods
Many people who train their dogs to point prefer to do so with an alternative method of reinforcement. Generally, people use e-collars or clickers to deliver a specific kind of consistent feedback to their dog.
You can use one of them if you feel like you need a secondary reinforcement method when training your dog. Here’s a brief look at what to expect with each one:
Clicker
Clickers are small devices you’ll hold as the trainer. They emit a single “click” when pressed. They can help you commend your dog when he has done the right thing. If your dog sits on command, for example, you will want to reward your dog with a click and a treat. You can give the click first and give the treat immediately after to establish the right pattern. Below you’ll find a great clicker from Amazon.com (Click on the picture to pull up on Amazon.com).
Your dog will quickly make the association between the treat and the click. The click sounds the same every time, as opposed to verbal praise, which may sound different each time.
If you want to use the clicker, it’s best to introduce it with basic commands first. Once your dog gets used to the positive sound of the click when he sits, stays, or comes, you can use it to reinforce positive responses to the whoa command.
To see a demonstration of clicker training, you can watch this video on Youtube:
E-Collar
E-collars receive a radio signal from the owner and give the dog a small electronic stimulation on their neck. The stimulation is mild and can be both a positive, feel-good sensation or a light, negative one.
You can use positive stimulation to show your dog he is doing the right thing. You can choose whether or not you want to use the negative one, as some owners are against negative reinforcement altogether.
The greatest feature of the e-collar is that it can be used at a distance. This is particularly useful for hunting dogs in wide-open spaces with plenty of things to chase. If you are working with your dog outside, an e-collar may make you feel more comfortable with your off-leash training. The DeluPet Training Collar is the most popular on Amazon.com due to its price, it’s waterproof and has a decent range up to 1600ft.
Other Tips for Pointer Training
Now that you know how to effectively teach the command needed for pointing, here are some other tips to help you on your training journey. Remember that the training path will look different for every dog, but these easy tips will help you no matter your dog’s preferences and individual temperament.
Exposure to the Environment
Before you begin the pointing training, make sure to give your dog plenty of exposure to the environment you will be working in. Take your dog out into the fields and expose him to the elements. The more familiar he is with the environment, the less overwhelmed he may be when teaching commands.
Also, pointing is an instinct for German Shorthaired Pointers. By giving them time to get in touch with their instincts in the natural environment, you will see their strengths and what they need to work on. You can harness their natural talents and help guide them towards more obedience and self-control in your training.
Keep Training Sessions Short and Sweet
Even though your pointer may have the energy to run in the field all day, remember to keep your training sessions on the shorter side. It is more important to have shorter, effective sessions, and it’s always great if you can end when your dog is doing well.
Longer sessions may bore your dog, and he may find himself getting distracted. It can be frustrating for everyone involved if you get to this point. You can build up to longer sessions over time, but there is no harm in short, consistent sessions in the beginning.
Reward Based on Your Dog’s Personality
Different rewards will work differently for different dogs. Some dogs are highly motivated by food, while others will respond better to play or verbal praise. It is important to find a positive way to reward your dog that they will enjoy.
Remember, when it comes to training, you want to avoid being reactive and negative in moments your dog is not following the command. It will be more effective to be patient and positive when they get it right. The stronger the positive association is between the command and the desired action, the more effectively you will train your dog in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Training your German Shorthaired Pointer to point is a rewarding activity for both you and your dog. By establishing the whoa command and practicing this command in the presence of wildlife, you will be finetuning your dog’s natural instincts into desirable behavior.
Your dog will be pleased to know his job and do it well. By spending time training and reinforcing pointing with your German Shorthaired Pointer, you will have a happy dog that is ready to work when it’s time to hunt.