How to break the habit? Boyfriend has dogs out in Idaho, hasn't hunted over them but has had them out in the mountains every day. Fletcher, being older, more mature ( :roll: ) and with a little bit of birdwork under his belt, knows that sight pointing his tennis ball is ok, but sight pointing birds is not, and he duly uses his nose. Biscuit has bumped a couple coveys because she was wanting to get close enough to see them before locking up on point. I know some of it is age and immaturity, but it's frustrating because when Biscuit was a little bitty puppy, when I'd take her outside she'd lock up hard on point on birds that were in bushes, or somewhere out of sight. So I know she's got a fantastic nose and a great point, so how do I draw taht back out of her?
I imagine the answer is going to be get her on as many birds as possible. Problem is, the cheap (i.e. less than $6/bird) quail breeder in my area is done, last year was his last. So it's going to be harder to find birds to train with, and coastal Carolina sucks for wild birds. We have joined a local pointing dog club in the hopes of more exposure that way. We'll see. But when I do have a chance and get my hands on some birds, any tricks to help little Biscuit rely on her nose?
Sight pointing
-
Kevin
Colleen,
Use pigeons, there cheap, they always fly good(unlike quail) and there easy to come by.
Contact a pest control company, thats what I did. I now have access to as many as I want. Picked up 40 the other day. If your close to the city, chances are people are paying to get rid of them. The pest companies usually just kill them anyway, they'll be glad someone wants to take them off there hands for some $.
As far as the method, for my puppy I just made sure they were planted good, COMPLETELY covered, and watch the wind. A release would probably be better(don't have one yet)that way you could watch the dog, and as soon as you see the dog get sent you could pop the bird. If you dont have one, you could do the same with a helper and a CC, stop the dog when it sents the bird,don't let it creep, set it back if need be, have your helper flush.
Good luck
Use pigeons, there cheap, they always fly good(unlike quail) and there easy to come by.
Contact a pest control company, thats what I did. I now have access to as many as I want. Picked up 40 the other day. If your close to the city, chances are people are paying to get rid of them. The pest companies usually just kill them anyway, they'll be glad someone wants to take them off there hands for some $.
As far as the method, for my puppy I just made sure they were planted good, COMPLETELY covered, and watch the wind. A release would probably be better(don't have one yet)that way you could watch the dog, and as soon as you see the dog get sent you could pop the bird. If you dont have one, you could do the same with a helper and a CC, stop the dog when it sents the bird,don't let it creep, set it back if need be, have your helper flush.
Good luck
-
llewgor
- Rank: 3X Champion
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:54 pm
- Location: rio linda ca
http://www.shotgunsports.com/breeders/bsouthca.htm
Maybe this will help? If not Kevin's idea is great and I'm going to look into it.
Maybe this will help? If not Kevin's idea is great and I'm going to look into it.
Billy
"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change"
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=147
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=152
"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change"
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=147
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=152
-
Colleen
-
Dave Gowdey
Bumping birds
Colleen,
You have the answer - birds. Wild birds are definitely the best and will cure her of this quickest. Pigeons are probably the next best. You need GOOD flying birds that you can launch as soon as she starts roading in on them - having her catch a poor flying quail will definitely set you back.
I would guess that the issue really has nothing to do with sight pointing, and more to do with her wanting to get close enough to pounce and get the birds herself. This is usually the behavior of an adolescent dog - and I'd guess your pup is between 10 mos, and 2 years old. If so, you are getting a taste of the terrible twos. If you stick to basics, and don't kill her - I bet you'll have a fine bird dog by the time she hits her third birthday. If I'm right in my guesses, just have patience and don't do anything you'll later regret.
You have the answer - birds. Wild birds are definitely the best and will cure her of this quickest. Pigeons are probably the next best. You need GOOD flying birds that you can launch as soon as she starts roading in on them - having her catch a poor flying quail will definitely set you back.
I would guess that the issue really has nothing to do with sight pointing, and more to do with her wanting to get close enough to pounce and get the birds herself. This is usually the behavior of an adolescent dog - and I'd guess your pup is between 10 mos, and 2 years old. If so, you are getting a taste of the terrible twos. If you stick to basics, and don't kill her - I bet you'll have a fine bird dog by the time she hits her third birthday. If I'm right in my guesses, just have patience and don't do anything you'll later regret.
-
Colleen
Pretty big 'if' thereIf you...don't kill her - I bet you'll have a fine bird dog by the time she hits her third birthday.
No, actually, I think she's gonna be one kickass bird dog. You may be on to something sbout it being the pouncing and catching thing. She found a couple of baby bunnies in the field behind my apartment today (obviously with her nose because they were nestled tightly under blackberry bushes and all sorts of brush), pointed one for a while, but baby bunnies are easy prey, and she pounced one. (And no, that one is no longer hopping around)You nailed it on her age too, she's a little over 9 months. Very insightful.