tnwestes:
I have read most of the books listed here and they all will get the job done. Time, and space/training aids cause many of us problems. Time alone is the tough part of trying to follow the sage advice of joining a dog training club.
It sounds like you have already invested time with the dog developing a good bond, and personally I think that is the key. I would not worry too much about the dog not being staunch on point at 6.5 months. Dogs progress differently. I have had GSP's point well and retrieve to hand at this age and others had little interest at the same age. All ended up being good dogs.
You really only need 10 - 15 minutes a day to train a bird dog the basics. As someone noted they are programmed for this stuff. The best book I ever read was How to Train a Bird Dog by R.W. Strickland. All you need is a 20' - 25' check cord. It is a paperback and maybe 60 pages long. It covers all the basics and allows it to be done in someone's backyard or a park. Oddly, the fellow is from Manistee, MI and has an entire National Forest at his back door. Call a bookstore in Manistee to find it.
Unless working with an experienced trainer I would stay clear of electronic training aids. They are a good tool in the hands of a pro, disastrous in the hands of the uninformed.
Best of Luck with Pup.
Chicago Mike
