Planting birds for intro for dog

[huntnfmly]

Hey Guys another training question
After I show my dog a bird and let him check it out for the first time he’s a 15 month old Brittany  by the way
If I plant some birds for my dogs introduction to birds should  I emphasize him not getting them?
I’ve always  heard and read   Not to let them get themI hope that question makes sense😁
Thanks in advance

[10mmg]

I have trained a few dogs but am no means an expert. what did with my young dogs was plant birds and let him work toward them. in the first couple of rounds i would trim feathers so the bird can’t fly. if the dog caught it let him play with it while shouting encouragement in a really excited tone. yes you look like an idiot but the key was to get the dog to associate chasing game birds with the boss getting really happy. once they are bird crazy then you can work on commands and retrieves. If they catch it and bring it to you you have to ramp up the idiot level of excitement to teach that not only is finding catching good but bringing to the boss is extra good. Positive teaching vs discipline on the front side. once they are stupid for birds then don’t clip wings and let the bird fly off or shoot it if your training spot has that option. make a big deal out of them finding it each time. also mix up the hiding spots and make it more difficult as they get better at it. make sure the wind is in their face. my 2 cents. good luck

[mcrawfordaf]

From instruction with some guys at the Spokane Bird Dog club and Dan Hoke from Dunfur Kennels, having a pup catch a few birds isn't the end of the world. But you want to do everything possible to avoid it. A dog who catches too many birds before a shot/flush starts to think that's it's job and won't hold whoa - or at least that's what I've read and been told. At the same time I've read and heard that letting a timid dog chew on a couple pigeons at an early age will help increase prey drive and to just ensure that after 1 years old they no longer have opportunities to catch training birds before the flush.

https://www.lcsupply.com/collections/pigeon-bird-equipment/products/pigeon-wing-strap-and-7-cord I'd recommend these over launchers.

[MR5x5]

15 months seems little old for it, but have you done the classic "wing on a string" with a fishing pole to see how he reacts.  He may very well have strong pointing instincts - pointing after all is mostly instinct.  I've had a harder time getting my setters, wirehair and shorthair to break point than to hold point.

I'd recommend starting small and see where he is at.

[huntnfmly]

I have trained a few dogs but am no means an expert. what did with my young dogs was plant birds and let him work toward them. in the first couple of rounds i would trim feathers so the bird can’t fly. if the dog caught it let him play with it while shouting encouragement in a really excited tone. yes you look like an idiot but the key was to get the dog to associate chasing game birds with the boss getting really happy. once they are bird crazy then you can work on commands and retrieves. If they catch it and bring it to you you have to ramp up the idiot level of excitement to teach that not only is finding catching good but bringing to the boss is extra good. Positive teaching vs discipline on the front side. once they are stupid for birds then don’t clip wings and let the bird fly off or shoot it if your training spot has that option. make a big deal out of them finding it each time. also mix up the hiding spots and make it more difficult as they get better at it. make sure the wind is in their face. my 2 cents. good luck

Thank you for that I appreciate that

From instruction with some guys at the Spokane Bird Dog club and Dan Hoke from Dunfur Kennels, having a pup catch a few birds isn't the end of the world. But you want to do everything possible to avoid it. A dog who catches too many birds before a shot/flush starts to think that's it's job and won't hold whoa - or at least that's what I've read and been told. At the same time I've read and heard that letting a timid dog chew on a couple pigeons at an early age will help increase prey drive and to just ensure that after 1 years old they no longer have opportunities to catch training birds before the flush.

https://www.lcsupply.com/collections/pigeon-bird-equipment/products/pigeon-wing-strap-and-7-cord I'd recommend these over launchers.

Thank you
This is kind of what I’ve always heard

15 months seems little old for it, but have you done the classic "wing on a string" with a fishing pole to see how he reacts.  He may very well have strong pointing instincts - pointing after all is mostly instinct.  I've had a harder time getting my setters, wirehair and shorthair to break point than to hold point.

I'd recommend starting small and see where he is at.

Thank you
I never did the wing on a string deal he has always seemed to naturally point always just sight pointing but still pointing
A couple times he has pointed and looked at me like hey do you see me pointing I’m not sure what I’m doing but I’m still pointing 😂

[RobinHoodlum]

But you want to do everything possible to avoid it. A dog who catches too many birds before a shot/flush starts to think that's it's job and won't hold whoa

Ditto on what mcrawfordaf said.

I experienced a total regression with my dog last season because she caught a few birds at the local pheasant release area. Went from fairly reliably pointing to bumping and chasing.

[huntnfmly]

But you want to do everything possible to avoid it. A dog who catches too many birds before a shot/flush starts to think that's it's job and won't hold whoa

Ditto on what mcrawfordaf said.

I experienced a total regression with my dog last season because she caught a few birds at the local pheasant release area. Went from fairly reliably pointing to bumping and chasing.

Thank you

[high_hunter]

@huntingfamily I know its an old post but curious how the Brittnay turned out?   Also looking for planting advice as I'm working up a new dog and refreshing my others.   

@RobinHoodlum, did you get her corrected for last season ant upcoming?  I have a bunch of quail if needing some for a tune up.

Thanks,
High hunter

[Happy Gilmore]

Don't work on it without being roped up. Forget the rest. If flushed hold the rope don't let him have the reward. Rope your live bird. If steady on working into a bird, shoot and throw a dead one you have ready in your pocket and allow a retrieve. Do that a few thousand times you'll be ready for a real bird

[Happy Gilmore]

It's teaching a point for labs and for a real pointer it's steadying.

Pointer guys figured out they can fool folks into believing labs point by reinforcing a hesitation which almost all decent birdy dogs have.

Plus, pointing labs are worth as much as a silver lab and "English Labs.

[2MANY]

This.

[huntnfmly]

@huntingfamily I know its an old post but curious how the Brittnay turned out?   Also looking for planting advice as I'm working up a new dog and refreshing my others.   



@RobinHoodlum, did you get her corrected for last season ant upcoming?  I have a bunch of quail if needing some for a tune up.

Thanks,
High hunter

Thanks for asking still working on it  I haven’t had a chance to work in it as much as I was hoping but still moving along and enjoying everything as you know it’s a marathon

[RobinHoodlum]

Sorry I forgot to respond sooner. Appreciate the offer to share some game birds. The issue was mostly resolved by the end of the season. Not to say she wouldn't benefit from.somemoff season pen raised birds. Just to busy with other stuff to work on training at the moment. Again, much appreciated!!!