grouse dog training

[Greg30-06]

I have a one year old lab need ruger.  I have bio knowledge on how to train a dog for hunting.  What would be a good projects to start on training for hunting grouse.. I was thinking about getting one of the training toys and grouse scent and playing fetch what that and then stepping it up and hiding it for him to find.  He's already get at that with his ball.  Any input?  Yes I know I should get a book but which one?

[NW-GSP]

A big part of trainging him is going to be keeping him close enough to you while hunting that you will be in range if a grouse gets up.
If I were you I would stop playing fetch with a ball and get a whole duck or grouse to have him retrieve. some dogs will retrive balls and sticks but will not touch birds.

get your dog used to going through brush so that means you need to go through it also and have him follow you

[Greg30-06]

Thanks. I assume you mean a grouse trainer not a real grouse lol

[NW-GSP]

Nope I mean a real whole grouse, you can whole frozen ducks off the internet but Im not sure about grouse.

[Greg30-06]

I think I woold be to tempted to eat it

[NW-GSP]

Thats part of the training process, training them not to eat it. Its just my opinion that its better to train them on real birds, but I think it sets them up to be ready when they encounter a real bird.

[Greg30-06]

Lol I was saying I would eat it not Ruger   I really appreciate the advice.

[ghosthunter]

Starting a little late, But go out and find the Book Game Dog by Richard Wolter. Used book store may have them. Its a good starter book. Any kind of bird wing might work. When the dog firgures out he is looking for a bird he will find it if its there. Check cord long enough for to keep him in shotgun range. When he starts to get to far ahead say something to him and move direction. You have to keep him in range or birds will be gone before you get there. You can train him in the yard or a ball park put some wings out and than get the dog work him into the wind at first. Dont let him run to far ahead. Tell him something like hunt it up so he knows you want him out ifront searching. make it easy and fun at first. When he get is hide the wings a little harder but never let him run ahead to far. 

[NW-GSP]

haha Im right there with ya, If you ever roast a grouse in the oven make sure to make grouse noodle soup with the leftovers

[Stilly bay]

if your going to hunt the west side where the brush is thick and you can cover the most ground by sticking to the logging roads, the best thing you can teach your dog is to hunt off the road. too many dogs will miss scent by taking the path of least resistance by staying in front of you and not diving into the brush.

the best way to do this is teach it a good quartering pattern with a whistle or hand signals. do this on open ground and once he has it all figured out and then some, take him to the woods. it would be best to get some pigeons to reward the dog for his efforts the first few times you take him to the woods - west side grouse are few and far between and some dogs will get board or lose faith in the hunt if they don't get enough action.

the best part is teaching lab to quarter is good for all species of upland game in any cover and many situations in duck hunting.