Traveling Pointing Dogs

Tur Bo pointing a pigeon.

Luke pointing a pigeon.

Lucky pointing a pigeon.

We may have had our last cool morning, to train dogs, for a long time. It was about 60 degrees at 8:00 am. I put 5 pigeons in the bird carrier on my 4 wheeler then got a release trap out of the shed and hid one of the pigeons in the tall grass on my side of the training grounds. I had 4 frozen quail on the 4 wheeler.

I heeled Tur Bo to the retrieving bench and petted him every few feet after he jumped onto it. I started taking the frozen quail out of the plastic bags when I smelled a foul (fowl) odor. The last time I had used them I forgot them on the 4 wheeler for about 3 hours. I thought they would be alright but I was wrong. I put them back in the bags and sealed them. After the training session was over I threw them in the creek on the back of my place. The raccoons will be happy.

I thought with no frozen quail I would just use bumpers. I put 4 bumpers on the other end of the retrieving bench after telling Tur Bo to whoa. I petted him then said fetch and pointed toward the bumpers. He ran down the bench then turned and came back without a bumper. I petted him and sent him again. He went down the bench but didn’t pick up a bumper. I haven’t done anything with him to force him to retrieve. I decided I would wait for a couple more weeks before getting into the force breaking with him. Once I start I want to do it almost every day until until he is broke.

I set him on the ground and threw a tennis ball. He ran out and scooped it up and dropped it before he got to me. I threw the ball again and he ran out but didn’t pick the ball up. He’s been retrieving the frozen quail just fine but not a ball or bumpers. I whoaed him then released him to hunt.

We had a gentle breeze from the north east and he was about 20 yards when he ran through the scent cone. He slid into a point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He turned to watch the pigeon fly away. I walked to him and stroked his sides then told him to whoa. I was about 60 yards from my 4-wheeler. I walked to it, started it then put it in gear and he stayed. I watched him for a few seconds then said okay. At my okay he was gone. I let him run for a while before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Luke to the bench next. He jumped onto it and we went back and forth with me petting him every few feet. I whoaed him then put 4 bumpers on the other end. He retrieved them one at time. He likes to drop whatever he retrieves as soon as he gets close to me. We have been working on this. This morning he held the bumpers until I said give. I set him on the ground.

I whoaed him and threw a tennis ball. I said fetch and he raced out and grabbed the ball. He didn’t slow as he got close but threw the ball to me. I picked up the ball and whoaed him again. I tossed the ball then said fetch. He grabbed the ball and I said hold before he got to me. He held the ball until I said give then dropped it in my hand. I threw the ball 4 or 5 times and as long as I said hold he would wait for me to say give. I released him to hunt.

He was headed to the back of the training grounds in a hurry when he hit the scent cone. He spun around and came to a point. I walked in front of him kicking the tall weeds after taking some pictures. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He never moved. The 4-wheeler was about 50 yards away and after telling him to whoa I walked to it. I started the 4-wheeler, put it in gear and said okay. I let him run for a while before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Lucky down to the retrieving bench next. He jumped onto it and we walked up and down with me petting him every few feet. I put the 4 bumpers on the other end of the bench then sent him to retrieve. He’s been force broke to retrieve so he did everything just as he should have. I set him on the ground.

I threw the tennis ball and he ran out, scooped it up and returned to me. He dropped it in front of me. The next time I threw it I said hold before he got to me. He held the tennis ball until I said give. He retrieved the ball several more times holding until I said give.

I whoaed him then released him to hunt. He pointed the pigeon from about 20 yards away. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the grass. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He never moved. I stroked his sides then said whoa and walked the 50 yards to the 4-wheeler. He didn’t move until I started the 4-wheeler, put it in gear and said okay. I let him run for a while before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Dolly down to the retrieving bench and petted her as she walked up and down the bench. I put the 4 bumpers on the other end of the bench then sent her to retrieve. She, also, has been force broke and retrieved each one. She even likes to hold whatever she retrieves until I say give. After she retrieved all 4 of the bumpers I put her on the ground.

I threw the tennis ball then sent her to retrieve with an okay. She pounced on the ball and came back. She sat in front of me with her head held real high and the ball in her mouth. I petted her for a few seconds then said give. She dropped it in my hand. I threw the tennis ball 5 or 6 times and she retrieved it each time. I released her to hunt.

She was going around a clump of trees near where I had hid the pigeon, in the release trap, when she hit the scent cone and went on point. I took pictures then walked in front of her kicking the tall weeds. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She didn’t move. I petted her and said whoa then walked the 50 yards to the 4-wheeler. I started it, put it in gear and said okay. I let her run for a while before going back to the kennel.

Blaze was the last one to be heeled to the bench. She jumped onto the bench and we walked back and forth with me petting her ever few feet. I put the 4 bumpers on the other end of the bench. I sent her to retrieve and she brought each one to me holding it until I said give. I set her on the ground and said whoa.

I threw the tennis ball then said fetch. She ran out and grabbed the ball. She brought it to me and held it until I said give. She dropped it in my hand. I threw the ball 5 or 6 times and she retrieved it each time. I released her to hunt.

She hit the scent cone on the hidden pigeon and went on point. I took pictures then walked in front of her kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She never moved. I walked to her and threw the tennis ball saying fetch. She ignored me. I bumped her with the e-collar and she retrieved the tennis ball. I threw it 2 more times and she retrieved it with no trouble. I told her whoa and started to the 4-wheeler that was about 50 yards away. About half way to the 4-wheeler I looked to see if she was still on whoa and she was. I got on the 4-wheeler and she was right beside me. I whoaed her, picked her up and carried her back. I whoaed her again then went back to the 4-wheeler. I started the 4-wheeler, put it in gear then waited for about 15 seconds before saying okay. She stayed until I released her. I let her run for a while before returning to the kennel.

This is more about retrieving but most of the pictures I’m using are of the dogs pointing. That tells me which is more important to me. I really enjoy seeing a dog on point but retrieving is extremely important. So I continue to teach the dogs.

Tur Bo after the pigeon has flown away.

Dolly pointing a pigeon.

Blaze pointing a pigeon.

Tur Bo pointing a pigeon.

Blaze pointing a pigeon.

Luke pointing a pigeon.

I was able to train dogs this morning. I hid a pigeon in the weeds near the retrieving bench. I heeled Tur Bo to the retrieving bench and we walked back and forth, with me petting him every few feet, after he jumped onto the bench. I had 4 frozen quail and I told Tur Bo to whoa as I started to the other end of the bench. Putting him on whoa and walking away from him was knew. He tried to follow. I held up my hand like a traffic cop and said whoa. He stopped. As I started away he tried to follow again. I held up my hand and said whoa. He stopped. I put the 4 frozen quail on the other end of the bench.

I went back to Tur Bo, petted him then said fetch and pointed at the quail lying on the other end. He raced down, scooped one up and returned with it. Just before he got to me I said hold. At first he didn’t want to give the bird to me then he dropped it in my hand. I pointed at the quail and said fetch. He ran down, grabbed one and raced back. I said hold just before he got to me. I said give while holding my hand under the frozen quail. He dropped it in my hand. I pointed at the quail and said fetch. He was really getting into this. He raced down, grabbed one and ran back. I said hold and petted him when he got to me. I put my hand under the quail and said give. He dropped it in my hand. He retrieved the last one just as fast as the other three. He figured out if he dropped the one he was holding in my hand he could go get another. That made him more ready to drop the quail.

I put the 4 frozen quail on the other end and he retrieved them all two more times for a total of 12 retrieves on the bench. I set him on the ground telling him to whoa. I threw the frozen quail and he retrieved it but didn’t want to hold it. I threw it again and just before he got to me I said hold. He held it until I said give then dropped it in my hand. I threw the quail 4 or 5 times and as long as I said hold just before he got to me he did fine. I released him to hunt.

He checked the area where I had hidden the pigeon in the release trap the last time we had worked on retrieving. Then he circled the brush pile away from where I hidden the pigeon. He came on around, caught the scent cone and slammed into a point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He took a step toward the pigeon as it flew off. I picked him up and put him back. I stroked him up then tossed the frozen quail in front of him and said fetch. He went to hunting instead of retrieving. I called him back and pointed to the quail. He grabbed it then spit it out. I picked it up and threw it again saying fetch. He rolled it around but didn’t pick it up. I threw it again and said fetch. He picked it up and dropped it at my feet. Maybe with more work on the bench he will get better. I decided to quit and let him run for awhile before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Blaze to the retrieving bench with the e-collar on her neck. She jumped onto the bench and I petted her every few feet as we walked up and down the bench. I put the 4 frozen quail at the other end of the bench then sent her to fetch. She retrieved them all and held them until I said give. I had her retrieve the 4 quail one time each then set her on the ground. I told her whoa then threw a quail. She stayed on whoa until I told her to fetch. She ran out, grabbed the quail and brought it back holding it until I said give. I had her retrieve the quail 5 or 6 times then released her to hunt.

Blaze went down the fence row on the north side of my place and I had to call her back. She was running all out toward me when she hit the scent cone and slid to a point. I took pictures then walked in front of her kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She didn’t move. I went to her and threw a frozen quail in front of her. She waited for me to say fetch then picked it up and returned to me. She held it until I said give then dropped it in my hand. I threw the

quail 3 or 4 times and she retrieved it each time. I let her run for a while before going back to the kennel.

Luke was next. After he jumped onto the bench I walked him back and forth petting him every few feet. I put the 4 frozen quail on the other end after putting him on whoa. The first one he retrieved just fine but the second one while I tried to take a picture of him holding the quail, he dropped it. I held the button on the e-collar, on level 3, down until I picked the bird up from the ground and he reached for it. As soon as he took the quail in his mouth I let off the button. I took his picture holding the quail then sent him to retrieve the other two. He didn’t drop any more of them. I set him on the ground.

I told him whoa and threw a frozen quail. He waited until I told him to fetch then grabbed it and returned. He held it until I said give then dropped it in my hand. I threw the quail 4 or 5 times and he retrieved it every time. I released him to hunt.

He ran past where I had hidden the pigeon the last time then circled the brush pile. He hit the scent cone and slid into a point. I took pictures then walked in front kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move. I went to him, threw a frozen quail in front of him and said fetch. He ran by the quail hunting another pigeon. I called him to me and pointed at the quail. He picked it up and followed me back to the original spot. I said give and he dropped it in my hand. I threw it 3 or 4 times and he retrieved it each time. I let him run for a while before returning to the kennel.

I worked Lucky and Dolly on the same exercises and they did just fine. They have been through this several times so they should do the exercises correctly. I have my daughters beagle over here and it cried each time I got another dog out of the kennel so I took it for a walk.

The younger dogs are getting this figured out. The more repetitions we do of these exercises the better they will get. I have to make sure they do them correctly each time. We have time for a lot of repetitions before season opens.

Blaze

Lucky pointing a pigeon.

Dolly pointing a pigeon.

Tur Bo stopped to flush on some turkys.

Blaze pointing a pigeon.

Luke pointing a pigeon.

It was 75 degrees when I went out to work dogs this morning. I decided to change their training and after working the dogs on the bench have them point a pigeon, shoot the blank pistol then toss a frozen quail for them to retrieve. I think, if they have to retrieve each time they point a pigeon it will carry over to bird season. I’m hoping they will be better at hunting for dead birds as well as retrieving.

I heeled Tur Bo to the retrieving bench with an e-collar around his neck. He jumped onto the bench and we walked back and forth with me petting him every few feet. I held a frozen quail in front of him and he grabbed it. I petted him then walked him to the other end of the bench then back. He didn’t want to drop the bird when I said give. I pushed the quail back into his mouth until he opened up. He grabbed the bird when I held it out the next time and I said whoa then walked to the other end. I called him to me. He held the quail and ran to me. I petted him then said give. He opened his mouth but he didn’t move his head away. I took the quail away and petted him for a while. I held the quail in front of him and said fetch. He grabbed the bird and I said whoa then walked to the other end. I called him to me and he held the quail until I said give. He likes to hold the bird. He really doesn’t want to give the bird up but he will.

I put him on the ground and threw the frozen quail. He ran to it and scooped it up then ran back with it. I said give and he reluctantly gave it to me. I threw it 3 or 4 times and he retrieved it every time. I released him to run.

I had hidden a pigeon in a release trap just a little way from the retrieving bench. I wanted to have them retrieve a frozen quail after they had pointed a pigeon but I wanted the first few times to be close to the retrieving bench. Tur Bo wasn’t expecting a bird and when he pointed he whirled around with his belly close to the ground. I waited until he stood up then started kicking the cover in front of him. When I flushed the pigeon it fluttered right in front of him and he tried to catch it. The pigeon flew off and he stopped. I shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move. I went to him and threw the frozen quail in front of him. I tapped his head and said fetch. He ran by the quail looking for another pigeon to point. I called him back and pointed at the quail. He picked it up and dropped it at my feet. I threw it in front of him and he scooped it up returning to me. He dropped it at my feet. With live birds to point he’s not so ready to hang on to a frozen bird. I threw the quail another time then let him run for a while before returning to the kennel.

I heeled Blaze to the retrieving bench with an e-collar around her neck. After she jumped onto the bench we went back and forth with me petting her every few feet. I placed 4 frozen quail on the other end of the bench and told her to fetch. She brought each one back and dropped them in my hand when I said give.

I placed her on the ground and told her to whoa. I tossed a frozen quail while she waited for me to say fetch. When I told her to fetch she ran out, picked up the quail, brought it back and held it until I told her to give. She dropped it in my hand. I threw it 3 or 4 times then let her run.

Blaze came around the brush pile and went on point on the pigeon I had hidden in a release trap. I walked in front of her kicking the cover. I flushed the bird and shot the blank pistol. She never moved. I tossed the frozen quail in front of her and said fetch. She wanted to go past the bird but as she got near it I said fetch. She slowed then picked the quail up and brought it to me. She held it until I said give. I threw the bird 2 or 3 times and she retrieved it each time. I ran her off the 4-wheeler before going back to the kennel.

Luke was the next one to be heeled to the retrieving bench. I put the 4 frozen quail on the other end of the bench and sent him to retrieve. Luke really doesn’t like to have the birds in his mouth. If my hands get anywhere close to his mouth he drops the bird. We are working on this. Each time he got close to me on his retrieves I would say hold. He’s getting better but he would really rather go point a bird. After he retrieved all 4 of the quail I set him on the ground.

I whoaed him then threw the frozen quail. I said fetch and he wanted to throw the quail at me. I told him to fetch the bird and he picked it up. I said hold and he did. I petted him then said give. He’s always ready to give. I threw the bird 3 or 4 times and I had to tell him each time to hold the bird but he would hold it until I said give. I released him to hunt.

He was really moving when he hit the scent cone. He slid to a stop. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move. I threw the frozen quail and told him to fetch. He thought he was being released to hunt. I called him back and said fetch again. He slowed but didn’t reach for the quail. I held the button down on the e-collar, on level 3, and he picked up the quail. I said hold and he stood in front of me with the bird in his mouth. I petted him, then said give. He dropped it in my hand. I threw the bird several times and he retrieved it just fine. I let him run for a while before going back to the kennel.

Dolly jumped onto the bench and we walked up and down with me petting her every few feet. I put the 4 frozen quail on the other end of the bench and sent her to retrieve. She usually is in a hurry to grab anything I send her after and come back with it but she doesn’t want to give it until I pet her. She sits in front of me and I pet her then say give and she drops it in my hand. She retrieved all 4 frozen quail.

I put her on the ground, told her whoa and threw the frozen quail. She waited until I said fetch then scooped it up and returned. I petted her then said give and she dropped it in my hand. I threw the quail 3 or 4 times then released her to run.

She pointed the pigeon I had hidden in the tall grass. I took pictures then walked in front of her kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She didn’t move. The pigeon only flew to a tree above the release trap and she didn’t take her eyes off it. I threw the frozen quail in front of her and said fetch. She continued to watch the pigeon in the tree. I tapped her head and told her to fetch. She moved about a half of a body length and continued to watch the pigeon. I picked the quail up and tossed it in front of her again saying fetch. She picked it up and dropped it in front of me then went back to watching the pigeon. I led her away and released her to run before going back to the kennel.

Lucky jumped onto the retrieving bench and we walked up and down with me petting him every few feet. I put the 4 quail on the other end of the bench and sent him to retrieve. Lucky doesn’t get in a big hurry but he doesn’t hesitate to retrieve the birds. When I say give he drops them in my hand. He retrieved all 4 and I put him on the ground.

I threw the frozen quail and he retrieved it just fine. I threw it 3 or 4 times then released him to hunt. He circled the brush pile and went on point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move. I tossed the quail in front of him and said fetch. He went by the quail just dropping his head when he went over it. I called him back and when he got close I said fetch. He stopped, dropped his head but didn’t pick the bird up. I held the button on the e-collar down, on level 3, and he picked the bird up. He brought it to me and dropped it in my hand when I said give. I threw the quail 3 or 4 times and he retrieved it each time. I let him run before returning to the kennel.

Tur Bo has been having problems with a pulled muscle in his left rear leg but he’s finally well. I let him run for quite awhile today with no problem. Dolly was watching the pigeon in the tree more than the quail on the ground so I led her away. Pointing dogs are more interested in pointing birds than in retrieving and I don’t want to do anything to dampen this. I usually tell about petting the dogs on the bench because I think this is really important. My dogs love to be on the bench.

Between the rain and hot weather it’s hard to find time to work the dogs but I haven’t been running them very long. Just enough to get them out of the kennel for a little while. They are happy for any attention they get.

Dolly pointing a pigeon.

Lucky pointing a pigeon.

Lucky on a pigeon.

Tur Bo on the bench holding a quail.

Blaze holding the quail in a sock.

Luke with the quail in a sock.

I haven’t trained dogs for a long while. My wife, June and I went on a cruise through the inside passage to Alaska. Trips are nice but it’s always good to get home. This gave the dogs about a 2 week break counting rain days, too.

I heeled Tur Bo to the retrieving bench with an e-collar around his neck. He jumped onto the bench and I walked him back and forth petting him every few feet. I placed a frozen quail in his mouth and let him hold it for about 30 seconds then said give. He wasn’t ready to give and wanted to hold the bird. I pushed it back farther into his mouth and when he gagged I took the quail. I started toward him with the quail and he opened his mouth to take it. I walked him back and forth on the bench with him holding the bird. I said give and he dropped it in my hand but tried to take it back. I had the bird in my left hand and when he reached for the quail I slapped his shoulder with my right hand and said no. This wasn’t a conscious thought it just happened. It could have turned out bad. I didn’t hit him hard but with me saying no he could have decided I didn’t want him to take the quail in his mouth. I held the frozen quail in front of him again and he took it. So this time it worked okay.

I walked him up and down the bench with the quail in his mouth. I took hold of the quail’s legs and said give. He opened his mouth and moved his head away. When I took the quail he didn’t try to grab it. I held the bird out again and he took it. I have been walking him back and forth on the bench but this time I said whoa then I walked to other end of the bench. This was new and he tried to walk down the bench when I did. I told him whoa again and he stopped. When I got to the other end I said here and he trotted to me with the quail. I said give and he opened his mouth and pulled his head away. I held the bird out and he took it. I said whoa and he stopped. I walked to the other end of the bench and said here. He ran to me with the quail. I grabbed the birds legs and said give. He gave me the quail. I set him on the ground and said whoa.

Tur Bo has always retrieved if he saw the bird fall. I took the frozen quail and threw it in front of him. He ran to it, scooped it up and returned to me in a dead run. I petted him before taking the quail from him. When I said give he dropped it in my hand. I threw the quail again. He ran to it, scooped it up and came back. I had squatted down and he tried to run his head under me. I pulled him back and he still had the bird. I said give and he turned loose of the bird. I threw it about 4 or 5 more times and he retrieved it every time but each time he tried to run his head under me. Finally, I just had him stand in front of me while I petted him. Then I let him run on the way back to the kennel.

I heeled Blaze down to the retrieving bench next. After walking her back and forth petting her I put 3 frozen quail and the live quail in a sock on the other end of the bench. She walked down the bench when I sent her to retrieve and brought back the 3 frozen birds just fine. I sent her after the quail in the sock and she started to pick it up but then turned and started back without it. I walked down the bench and she turned around and picked it up. We went back to the other end. I made her hold the live quail while I petted her. She dropped it in my hand when I said give. I held the live quail and had her fetch and hold it from my hand then laid it on the bench. This time when I placed it on the bench she retrieved it after retrieving the frozen birds.

I put her on the ground, told her whoa and threw a frozen quail. She ran to retrieve when I said fetch. She is a lot happier about retrieving on the ground than she is on the bench. She runs out with her tail high and wagging. I threw the frozen bird 6 or 7 times and she retrieved it each time. I let her run to the back of my training grounds before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Luke to the retrieving bench and he jumped on it. After walking him back and forth petting him I put the 3 frozen quail and the live bird on the other end of the bench. He retrieved the 3 frozen quail then I sent him for the quail in a sock. He went down the bench and scooped the live bird up and returned with it. He wanted to drop it but I told him to hold it and he did. I petted him for a while then said give. He dropped it in my hand.

I put him on the ground and said whoa. I threw a frozen bird then said fetch. He ran out, picked it up and threw it to me as he got close. I told him to fetch then hold. I petted him then said give and he dropped it in my hand. I said whoa and threw the bird again. Luke does everything in a hurry and when I said fetch he ran to the bird, scooped it up and returned, rapidly. I told him to hold before he got to me and he did. I petted him for a while before saying give. I threw the frozen quail 6 or 7 times and he retrieved it each time. If I could remember to say hold before he got to me he would hold it until I said give but if I didn’t say hold he would throw it to me. He’s just in a hurry. I let him run for a while before going back to the kennel.

I heeled Lucky to the bench next. He’s 11 years old and I’m just happy to get him on the bench to pet him. He’s been force broke to retrieve and most times does it correctly. I put the 3 frozen quail and the bird in a sock on the other end of the bench. He retrieved each one and held them until I said give. I put him on the ground.

I threw a frozen quail. He ran out and retrieved it perfectly, tail up and happy. He held the quail until I said give. I like to have them hold a little while as I pet them. I threw the quail again and he ran out but when he got about half way to it he turned and came back. That really surprised me. He usually retrieves until I quit. I held the button on the transmitter down, on level 3 and walked to the bird with him. He picked it up and took it back where we started. As soon as he picked the bird up I let off the button on the e-collar. I threw the bird several more times and he retrieved it each time. I let him run for a while then went back to the kennel.

I heeled Dolly down and she jumped onto the bench. After walking her back and forth on the bench petting her I put the 3 frozen quail and the bird in a sock on the other end of the bench. Dolly has been force broke to retrieve but each dog are a little bit different. When she retrieves she never drops the bird before I tell her to. She wants to be petted while she holds the bird. When I’m hunting and she retrieves a quail then hangs around after giving it to me, she wants the head. I give it to her. She retrieved each one so I put her on the ground.

I told her whoa and threw the frozen quail for her. She scooped it up and ran back with it when I told her to fetch. She held it until I said give. I threw the bird for her 6 or 7 times and she retrieved it each time. I let her run for a while before going back to the kennel.

Dogs are like people, each one has a different personality. You can train each one to the same standards and they will be a little different. It’s fun to see each one learn, grow and see what personality comes through.

Lucky on the bench with a frozen quail.

Dolly with the quail in a sock.

Dolly with a frozen quail.