Aerobic work first, obedience second
Trying to teach a settle to a GSP that has not moved all day is wasted effort. Meet the physical need, then train the calm.
Sporting Group
German Shorthaired Pointer
A genuine all-day hunting dog in a house-pet's body. The GSP is not a difficult breed — it is an under-exercised one, and almost every behaviour complaint traces back to that single fact.
DrivenAthleticVelcro-close indoors
What to work on first
Three things that matter more than the rest
Recall on a long line, for months
A pointing dog that finds birds will keep finding birds. Do not test off-lead recall until it is boring on thirty feet of line in three different places.
Give the nose a sanctioned outlet
Scatter feeding and hidden-article games take the edge off far more efficiently than another mile of running.
Where it usually goes wrong
Common challenges with the German Shorthaired Pointer
- Destructive when bored
- Counter-surfing
- Ignoring recall on scent
Behaviour that involves biting, real fear, or a sudden change in an adult dog is not a training problem until a vet has ruled out a medical one.
Read next
Guides that apply to the German Shorthaired Pointer
Foundations
Building a Recall That Holds When It Matters
Most recalls fail in exactly one place: the first time the dog has a better offer. Here is how to build one that survives that moment.
10 min read
Life Skills
Teaching the Off Switch
High-drive breeds do not calm down on their own. Settling is a skill, and it can be trained like any other.
6 min read
Recommended equipment
What our guidance for this breed calls for
Chosen against the training plan above, not against a supplier's bestseller list.
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