Luke
Luke
Finally, the weather cooled down to where I could work dogs this morning. I went out about 7:30 and the temperature was in the mid 50’s with a north wind of about 10 miles an hour. It was cool enough on the 4-wheeler to need a light jacket. I hid 2 pigeons, in release traps, on the training grounds.
The last few weeks I haven’t been working Luke but this morning I heeled him out near the 4-wheeler and whoaed him. I started the 4-wheeler and released him to hunt. By the time I got to the first bird he was on point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He never moved. I started the 4-wheeler and released him with an okay.
The wind on the back of the training grounds was swirling around. Luke knew the pigeon was near but he kept going the wrong way to pin it down. Finally, he hit the scent cone and twisted into a point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. When I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol he never moved. I continued to kick the cover then went to him and stroked his sides while I told him what a good boy he is. I tapped him on the head to release him. I let him run before taking him back to the kennel.
Blaze
Blaze
I put the e-collars on Blaze’s neck and flanks and heeled her to the 4-wheeler. I whoaed her, started the 4-wheeler and released her with an okay. These young dogs went from 5 or 6 days of training a week, a month ago, to only training maybe one day a week because of the heat. They were ready this cool morning. When I got to the first bird Blaze was already on point. I walked in front of her after taking pictures. I usually watch the dog when I flush the pigeon to see if they move. If they don’t move on the bird then I shoot the blank pistol. Blaze was steady on the flush but when I shot the blank pistol she took 2 steps and stopped. I picked her up and set her back. I kicked in front of her then started the 4-wheeler and released her to hunt.
In the swirling winds in the back it was hard to pin point the bird. Blaze and Luke got birdy in the area but it took several passes to hit the scent cone. She went past the bird and whirled around to a point. I took pictures then kicked the cover in front of her. I flushed the pigeon. It came out low and flew right over her head. She never moved even when I shot the blank pistol. I went to her and stroked her sides telling her what a good girl she is. I tapped her on the head to release her. I let her run to the front then to the back before returning to the kennel.
Tur Bo
Tur Bo
Tur Bo had to wait on Luke and Blaze before he got his turn. When I started into his kennel to put the e-collars on him he jumped on and off his house 3 times before I got inside. As soon as I start to put the e-collar on his neck he calms down but he tries to lead me instead of heeling. When he gets ahead of me, I go in the opposite direction. After a couple of direction changes he settles down and heels. I started the 4-wheeler and released him with an okay.
Tur Bo went on past the first bird and hunted all the way to the back then started back toward the front. He was really moving and was way ahead of me when he pointed. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and he never moved so I shot the blank pistol. He still didn’t move. I kicked the cover then went to him and stroked his sides telling him what a good boy he is. I started the 4-wheeler and released him to hunt.
Tur Bo was a lot closer to the second bird than the other two dogs were when he hit the scent cone. He was only about 2 yards from the bird. I took more pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. With him being that close I expected him to move when the bird flushed but he was steady. I shot the blank pistol and he took a step. I set him back and shot the blank pistol again. He didn’t move. I continued to kick the cover and shot the blank pistol. When I shot there was a pigeon from one of the other dogs sitting in a tree and it flew at the shot. Tur Bo watched the bird fly away but didn’t move. I went to him and stroked his sides and told him what a good boy he is. I tapped him on the head to release him. I let him run for a while before returning to the kennel.
Maybe the hot weather is over and I will be able to train most mornings. All 3 of these young dogs have come a long ways toward being steady to wing and shot. All 3 dogs let me walk in front of them and kick the cover. I don’t say anything. I kick the cover then flush the bird. Luke almost never moves. Blaze is steady most of the time but she will occasionally take a step. Tur Bo takes a step or two more often than not but he’s learning. None of them chase. When they move it’s usually only a step or two.