Bird scent/training

[Pappy]

I have a new pup and I have just introduced him to the field. During the second outing to the field I planted a pigeon. I went down wind and tried to place him in the scent cone. He was a little clue less. I had him on a check cord and once he saw the bird he jumped at it. I am using pigeons and just wondering if they put out enough of scent like quail. I know the dog is young and that I need to be patient with him. Also any suggestion on training using the bird launcher with a young dog. My Sort hair is 14 weeks old.

[DonF]

You said a "new pup", how old? Sounds like it just hasn't started using it's nose yet. If it wanted the bird when it saw it, I wouldn't worry one bit about it. Let it grow up. Pigeons put off plenty of scent I think. Not anyway I know of to measure how much scent any bird put's off.

[SetterNut]

At 14 weeks its all about exposure to new things, keep exposing him to birds and let it be fun.

[Trekmoor]

Pups learn by experience . I'd let the pup have a lot more experience of birds in front of it before I really expected it to show a lot of interest.

Bill T.

[jimssetters]

You were not real clear when you said you came from downwind. The pup should come across the scent. Dont bring the pup into the scent from downwind.

[pinebrookkennel]

Have you thrown birds or introduced birds in the yard. The pup might not know what the scent of a bird is. @ 14
Weeks be carefull not to scare the dog with a big pigeon taking flight.
We introduced the birds by fresh killing a pigeon and tossing it out to the end of the cord. When he was chomping at the bit
For that we moved to live wing clips.

[Ghosted3]

Have you thrown birds or introduced birds in the yard. The pup might not know what the scent of a bird is. @ 14
Weeks be carefull not to scare the dog with a big pigeon taking flight.
We introduced the birds by fresh killing a pigeon and tossing it out to the end of the cord. When he was chomping at the bit
For that we moved to live wing clips.

Is there a way for the pups to eventually get on the birds without having to run through the pigeon training? I have no room for that kind of training in my current residence. I have a nice large field to take my pup in (when I am able to pick him up that is) that has tons of room to throw scent bumpers and balls ect. I just didnt know if they could naturally pick it up by being exposed to random city birds I guess is my question.

Corry

[pinebrookkennel]

First, yes they can pick it up by getting into wild bird. will it take longer, yes. City birds ? What is a random city bird
Second, take the birds to the training field with you. Put your birds in a box or bag take them on a walk with you
Make a fun game out of it.

[Ghosted3]

We have random smaller birds like barn swallows, woodpeckers, some random doves, crows, robins, and some others that I dont recognize. I didnt think of bringing a few dead ones with me and tossing them around in the field.

Thanks,
Corry

[Ruffshooter]

I would not do launcher work yet. That is for later. The launcher could scare the dog before it really knows what birds are and that is all he cares about. After that and when working to lengthen points or to do other drills like stop to flush, steadiness, etc. then you will introduce the launcher.

[smokinjoe]

Most pups that young don't yet associate the scent with the bird -- both experiences are too new, and the pup's brain development is just getting going.
At only 14 weeks I wouldn't be doing anything but some yard training and letting the puppy explore and have fun being with me in the field. It will chase field larks and point butterflies and get "field smart" over the next few months using its own experiences. The puppy will also need to learn that being with you is the source of FUN and safety and wonderful adventures. The pup will learn that the field means lots of interesting smells and critters. After a period of "puppy time" the instincts will kick in, and then the scent will start to mean "birds" to the pup.
Make sure that bird scent, being with you, and being in the field all mean something fun to the pup by letting pup discover, be a puppy, and put things together gradually. You don't want the bird scent to mean "pressure" to a young puppy.

[Sharon]

Have you thrown birds or introduced birds in the yard. The pup might not know what the scent of a bird is. @ 14
Weeks be carefull not to scare the dog with a big pigeon taking flight.
We introduced the birds by fresh killing a pigeon and tossing it out to the end of the cord. When he was chomping at the bit
For that we moved to live wing clips.

Is there a way for the pups to eventually get on the birds without having to run through the pigeon training? I have no room for that kind of training in my current residence. I have a nice large field to take my pup in (when I am able to pick him up that is) that has tons of room to throw scent bumpers and balls ect. I just didnt know if they could naturally pick it up by being exposed to random city birds I guess is my question.

Corry

I kept my birds in a cage on the apt. balcony. Every once in a while a quail would escape and, my neighbors would think they had seen a "rare" bird in the parking lot.

You can bypass pigeons if you have another bird that will flush in a hurry and not be able to be caught by your dog.

[Troy08er]

14 weeks is really early. I would contact the breeder and ask him those questions, he should know better than anyone else. You’ll have some lines that are softer and it takes longer to mature than others. For my 16 week old pointer, all I have been doing is working on retrieving with a frozen quail, here and walks in wild quail areas letting her just have fun. I’ll start working the launchers around August if I feel she's ready. I have the Perfect Starter and Perfect Finnish DVD’s if you want to borrow them for a week or two. Good luck

[pinebrookkennel]

Corry
Sorry about that I wasn't on the same page as your thinking. Will random song bird, crows, barn swallows work. My
Guess is ,no. They will not leave the scent needed, and the will teach you pup to sight piont. @ 14 weeks don't even
Worry about finding birds, builds the dogs confidence in running out in front. Play fetch with a tennis ball. Teach the
Basic commands you will need in 6 or 7 months, come, heal, stay, you have a lot of time.
start trying to find a club or trainer with birds so in 6 months you are ready. Have fun with your pup, and good luck
One more thing, if you post your locaton and ask you will find some help with birds or a club. The fourm and its members
Is a great resorce

[Ghosted3]

Corry
Sorry about that I wasn't on the same page as your thinking. Will random song bird, crows, barn swallows work. My
Guess is ,no. They will not leave the scent needed, and the will teach you pup to sight piont. @ 14 weeks don't even
Worry about finding birds, builds the dogs confidence in running out in front. Play fetch with a tennis ball. Teach the
Basic commands you will need in 6 or 7 months, come, heal, stay, you have a lot of time.
start trying to find a club or trainer with birds so in 6 months you are ready. Have fun with your pup, and good luck
One more thing, if you post your locaton and ask you will find some help with birds or a club. The fourm and its members
Is a great resorce

Thanks, I dont expect my pup to be ready to go til next year anyways, wont be born til late July early Aug. I am in central Illinois, and there is a local place that does guided hunts, maybe I can see if he will let me take the pup out there when he is a little older and just let him run around out there and get on some birds there.

[Pappy]

Thanks for all the info, it has been some time since I have trained a new pup, they are all different. Some definitely catch on much faster that other breeds.
thanks for the info Pappy