Teach dog to work running roosters

[crewzm]

I have an 18mo old vizlsa. This is her second season, well first season where I expect things from her. She has been doing well, getting in to birds, and as long as they sit tight she has been pointing them, about 12 solid points so far this year. Her only problem is when they run on her. She will catch the scent trail, drop her nose, and run like heck until she flushes them. Is there anything I can do to help teach her how to work running birds or is this something she just has to figure out on her own?

Mike

[troutbum13]

it took two seasons of lots of birds before my WPG figured out running birds. The first year and a half he would do what you are describing, run a ground scent until he ripped the bird out. I think it will take care of it's self with more time and birds. Is your dog broke to flush? In my experience that helps a dog understand that ripping out a bird ends the fun.

I have a buddy who has, IMO, focused so much on staunchness with his young dog that she points even when she knows the bird is no longer there. Lots of NP's. But he gets a stylish point Personally, I would rather have a dog chase down a running bird than be so afraid of being hacked on that they point rooster-ghosts.

[crewzm]

Yes she is steady to flush. So more time and more birds is the answer ...... Anyone want to volunteer to tell my wife I need to spend more time hunting???

[tailcracken]

birds birds birds is the key when you get one that hits scent and learns to hook in front then you have a bird dog

[AG74]

My 15 M.o. GWP is in his first season and would point and hold PLANTED birds very well. When we got into hunting wild roosters, differnt story. Same thing you describe from your dog. I talked to a friend who suggested hunting wild Hungarian partridge, and described them as being the best wild bird for a pup to learn on because they tend to hold tight and not run, but will not stand any pressure from the dog either. That is, if the dog creeps or gets too close, they'll flush. So I started hunting those, as we have a healthy population around here. They were a great teacher and he picked it up quickly. Now he is much more apt to try to point phez on first scent, even if the bird keeps running. He is more diligent when he re-locates for fear of flushing the bird. Not sure if you have wild Huns in your neck of the woods, or maybe quail? It definitely made a big difference with my dog. If all I had to hunt was pheasants, he'd probably be a flusher by now...! Good luck!

[SetterNut]

I have a setter that is now in his 3rd season. We have mostly quail here so we don't get into may pheasants unless we go west.
In his 1st season he was good on quail and if the pheasants held, he was solid. But running birds often got bumped.
Then his 2nd season he was noticeably better on pheasants, but still got schooled at time by running birds.
This past Monday we went out west to an area that had some pheasants. I was very happy with the way he handled some running pheasants. He did not trail them but move out and around the birds on the down wind side. Everything was done perfectly, in pretty short wheat stubble, at least till I missed a give-me shot

All I did was keep putting him in birds, and let him figure it out. And also very importantly I did not shoot any birds that he did not point. If you do you are teaching him that he doesn't have to point them to get them shot.

[Wyobio]

My GWP has always been a strong pointer, but was fooled by wild, running pheasant. She learned pretty quickly that the birds may have moved and she needed to relocate. My SM acted very much like what you are describing, but in her 3rd year really started slowing down while relocating. When your dogs are young, I think it is best to keep them closer to you once you notice that they have scented birds. My dogs will lock on point, but show subtle cues that they are no longer sure the bird is still holding. Wandering eyes or slight movement of the head incidates to me that they are waiting for me, will relocate when I get close.

Pheasants are tough on young dogs, I think it is all about exposure. I can almost always tell when my dogs are pointing hens, they will hunker down in the grass and allow you to get closer before they flush. Roosters (especially late season birds) tend to flush a bit further away as you move in, or try to sneak out the back door on you. There is nothing more satisfying then seeing the dog point several times, lose the bird, then circle back and pin the wily b#astards after you have already walked past!!!

[crewzm]

I think she finally figured it out Went out yesterday and she had 7 points. On the first rooster she was birdy for about 25 yards but continued to quater the cover, went on point but only held it for 5-10 seconds before she decided she wanted to reposition her self about another 10 yards to my left and further down wind. Went on a point I walked up in front and the bird flushed 10 yards in front. 1 in the bag

On this second bird that was running, she flash pionted then ran a complete circle about 40 yards in diameter came back down wind and went on point, and I took the second over her point.

Its amazing how fast they learn if we just sit back keep our mouths shut, let them work, and let them make their own mistakes. I think a few bumped birds this season will result in many more birds in the bag in future seasons.

[Redfishkilla]

"Its amazing how fast they learn if we just sit back keep our mouths shut, let them work, and let them make their own mistakes. I think a few bumped birds this season will result in many more birds in the bag in future seasons."

Some breeder should put this on a T-Shirt.