Bird dog help.

[fishermanjoe]

Well I have a question for all my fellow upland hunters out there. It all starts with my newly acquired lab Leo. My uncle gave him to be because he was not doing well in the family environment. Leo is very timid and does not like new people. He does great around the people he knows. Leo was bought from a kennel in Ellensburg. My uncle bought him when he was two years old. At the time my uncle got Leo was VERY birdy and was not gun shy. He noticed when he would take Leo out, just him and the dog, Leo would do fine. But, with other people Leo would stick by his owners side and not leave. My uncle called the kennel and the kennel told my uncle that Leo was a "return" dog from a client that abused him. The kennel gave my uncle a full refund for the dog and let him keep the dog. My uncle does a lot of hunting with other people, so he thought he would do great with me. Now that i have the dog i am wanting to hunt him a lot this up coming season.

This weekend I was at my grandparents house that has a lot of quail. I took him out and he would not run more than ten yards from me. Thats fine, he will get his confidence up and venture out. The main problem is that when i would walk up on a covey they would bust and he would not have a care in the world about it. I brought him to the area where the 10-15 birds just flew from and would not even recognize the smell. He lost his drive for birds.

I have only had one other bird dog a GSP, she would go all off season with out seeing a single bird and then get back in the game the first min back out in the field. How do i get the drive back in my lab? He came from the kennel fully trained and very birdy, how do i get that drive instilled back in him? My uncle suggested finding a contract trapper that traps pigeons, and clip the wings of a pigeon and let him play with one. will this work? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any input. 

[Copperwood]

I know a really good upland dog trainer in Ellensburg that will do wonders with your pup. His name is Ryan Fortier and his website is www.longhollowbirddogs.com. I would give him a call and ask a professional. He has birds and could take your pup out for a half hour and plant some pigeons just to get it birdy again. Good luck

[gasman]

If you can get some pigions for him to play with it would help. If not, try getting soem wings, tease and play wi thet wings with him to get the scent back in to his head.

Keep it fun for him.

[fishermanjoe]

thanks for the tips guys!

My one question for you is, he is not a pup anymore, he is three, is it to late? Like i said before he used to be birdy.

This summer will be my first time working with him training wise, so it will be a while before i get to try anything.

[gasman]

Wprk with him tp find out.

Some will say yes and others will sat no. It will depend on the dog.

Just make it fun 

[fishermanjoe]

He is a fun dog, and is all about his ball. well ball crazy, I can thank my mother for that.... Is it a good idea to go cold turkey on the ball and replace it with training birds?

[Happy Gilmore]

He is a fun dog, and is all about his ball. well ball crazy, I can thank my mother for that.... Is it a good idea to go cold turkey on the ball and replace it with training birds?

nothing wrong with the ball just don't ever use it for training. Training tools and toys stay seperate.

[beagledog]

it may be that the dog dose not associate hunting the birds if there is no gun
I had a cousin who had several quail and pheasants around the house  the dog wouldn't bother them even when they were in the yard
you get him in the Field and a gun in your hand he'd hunt
so maybe you wont know until hunting season