Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: anthropisces on December 18, 2020, 07:29:51 PM

Title: Chasing ducks
Post by: anthropisces on December 18, 2020, 07:29:51 PM: I've lost two mallards this season because my 18 month old Lab Luna chased them. Today, she actually had the bird in her mouth but it slipped out and then started flying low and hard. In both cases I couldn't take the shot because she was right on its tail.

For upland birds it seems to make sense to allow her to chase the bird so that she keeps track of it. In some cases that also might make sense for ducks. Maybe I'm wrong though.

I need some sort of a command like "freeze" so that I can stop her in her tracks if I need her to. What do you folks use?
Title: Re: Chasing ducks
Post by: Bullkllr on December 18, 2020, 07:38:41 PM: :twocents:
If the duck's head is up and it's in range, swat it on the water if you can before sending the dog.
Getting the dog to stop once sent and hot on the trail is some advanced stuff. I'm sure others could give much better training advice in that direction.
Title: Re: Chasing ducks
Post by: Badhabit on December 18, 2020, 08:25:08 PM: Force fetch training and you will never have another issue.
Title: Re: Chasing ducks
Post by: ghosthunter on December 18, 2020, 09:48:08 PM: One thing I insisted on with my lab was SIt on Whistle. Every time.

You can teach it in you drive way 5 minutes a day. At heal.
Title: Re: Chasing ducks
Post by: callturner on December 19, 2020, 12:16:15 AM: Yup, hit the whistle once stop, twice go, trill come.
Title: Re: Chasing ducks
Post by: KP-Skagit on December 19, 2020, 07:19:36 AM: I never worry too much about it. Generally the bird gets away from them or it falls and they catch it. As others have said, whistle train to stop or use the collar.

I have a bigger issue with chasing upland birds as they can run through other coveys and bust things up.