Traveling Pointing Dogs

Wow! It was 57 degrees when I got up this morning. But the fog was so thick you couldn’t see a dog very far. Maybe a hundred yards. I waited until the sun burned the fog off before working the dogs. I clean the pens twice a day to keep the puppies half way clean and to keep the flies at a reasonable level. Before cleaning the pens I take each of the puppies into an empty kennel and toss a paint roller cover for them to retrieve. I only toss it, at most, 6 times for each puppy. The sure seem to enjoy it.

Josie at 9 weeks old pointing a pigeon by scent.

Sally pointing a pigeon.

Tur Bo pointing a pigeon.

After tossing the paint roller cover for the puppies and cleaning pens I put some pigeons in the box on the 4-wheeler. I hid one on my side and another on my neighbor’s side of the training grounds. I heeled Sally out with the piggin’ string and whoaed her near the 4-wheeler. After I started the 4-wheeler and put it in gear I released her to hunt. I had to hustle on the 4-wheeler to stay close.

There wasn’t much wind but there was enough for her to point the first pigeon from a long distance. I had some frozen quail on the 4-wheeler so I dropped one near the release trap. I took some pictures then walked in front of her kicking the grass. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She didn’t move. I tapped her head and told her to hunt dead. She made a couple of passes and found the frozen quail. I tossed it for her 3 times then released her to hunt.

She hunted my side then crossed to the neighbor’s side. We were almost to the back when she got some scent from the pigeon and pointed. I stopped the 4-wheeler. Before I could even take a picture she moved up a step. I flushed the pigeon and yelled, “whoa”. She didn’t try to chase. I didn’t shoot the blank pistol or allow her to retrieve. I made her stay on point a couple of minutes then took her back to the kennel.

I reloaded the release traps and heeled Tur Bo out with the piggin’ string. I put him on whoa near the 4-wheeler, started it and released him. I slowed down to cross the creek but he didn’t. When I got close to the first pigeon he was on point. I took pictures, dropped a frozen quail close then walked in front of him. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He moved his normal one step. I moved him back then tapped his head and told him to hunt dead. He didn’t want to stay and look but I kept after him until he found the quail. I tossed it for him 3 times. I released him to hunt.

He checked out my side then went across to the neighbor’s side. I saw him hit the scent of the pigeon and turn toward it. He didn’t stop he started slinking toward the bird. I flushed it and yelled, “whoa”. He stopped and I set him back. I made him stand for about a minute then released him and took him back to the kennel.

I turn the 3 puppies out and they ran in front of the 4-wheeler, most of the time. The also wrestle right in front or stop to pee. They have no fear of being run over by the 4-wheeler. I have to really watch as we go toward the back.

I’ve been putting the puppies on stakes where they could see each other find a hidden pigeon until this time. This time I put them on the chain gang and hid the pigeon out of the puppies on the chain gangs view. I think, for them, this worked better.

Daisey waiting her turn.

I put two release traps with pigeons in one clump of brush about 15 yards apart. I’m going to try out some names on the puppies. These are subject to change. I’ve never had this much trouble naming puppies before. The female with two black ears is going to be called Daisey. The puppy with the spot on her side is Star. I think the male is going to be DJ. So today we will go with that.

I went to the chain gang and stood close enough to Daisey that she knew she was going to get let loose. I stood away from her until she quit jumping and trying to put her feet on me. I snapped a leash on her and led her away. The wind, as it always does, was swirling in several directions. Each of the puppies smelled the pigeon in a little different place. She smelled the first pigeon and started toward it. I flushed the pigeon and she chased a short distance.

I picked up her leash and led her toward the next pigeon. When she hit the scent cone on the next pigeon she pointed. Her tail was about level with her back but was starting to come up when she took a step. I flushed the pigeon and she chased about 25 yards. I took her back to the chain gang.

I reloaded the traps and brought DJ out. I make them quit jumping before taking them off the chain gang. I, also, pet them for a few seconds after dropping the snap on the chain gang. I don’t want them to think when the chain hits the ground they are loose. I led him toward the hidden pigeons. The wind was wrong when we came by the first pigeon and he never smelled it. We went toward the second and he got the scent. He pointed then took a step. I flushed the pigeon. He chased a short distance.

We returned to the area of the first pigeon and he pointed. He stood for a few seconds. His tail was about level with his back. He wanted to get closer and took a step. I flushed the pigeon. He chased a short distance. I put him back on the chain gang.

JD waiting his turn.

After reloading the traps I led Star out. The wind was getting a little stronger and she pointed the first bird. Her point lasted about 15 seconds before she took a step. When she pointed her tail was about level with her back but it was coming up. When she took a step I flushed the bird. She just turned her head and watched it fly away. We went toward the other pigeon.

When she hit the scent cone she pointed. I waited on her to move. She stayed on point for 15 seconds or more. She took a step and I flushed the pigeon. She chased a short distance. I took all of them off the chain gang and let them run for a few minutes.

Most of my dogs point with high tails. I know this has nothing to do with being a good bird dog but it looks nice. It costs no more to feed a pretty dog as it does any other. I believe as Delmar Smith said in his book “Best Way To Train Your Dog” that the sire and dam put the tail where it will be. I seldom brush their tail up.

For a long time when the puppies start pointing I don’t say anything and I don’t try to walk in front of them for a long time. At the first movement of the dog I flush the pigeon. I want the puppy to think, “if I move anything, if I even blink, the bird will flush”. That is what will make them real rigid on point.

After I put those puppies back in the kennel I carried my 9 week old pup, Josie, out of the kennel. That is literal. She can’t or won’t stay with the 4-wheeler. I carry her on the 4-wheeler down to the training grounds. She likes to ride. She sits still and watches where we are going. I put her on the chain gang.

Mann pointing a pigeon.

When I had the traps reloaded I led her away from the chain gang. She thought we were just out for a walk. She missed the first pigeon and we went on toward the second. The wind, for a few minutes, was out of the wrong direction. We went by the second bird then turned around and started back. This time the wind was where she could smell the pigeon and she pointed with a twelve o’clock tail. She holds for a long time for a puppy. I dropped the leash and just watched her. When she moved I flushed the pigeon. She turned and watched it fly away.

I picked up the leash and led her toward the other pigeon. She caught the scent and went on point. Again, with a really good tail. She was on point for close to a minute before she moved a foot. I flushed the pigeon. She chased a short distance. I picked up the traps and Josie and I got on the 4-wheeler and went back to the kennels.

I enjoy the puppies more than the older dogs. I like to see them learn. The older dogs should do what they are trained to do. The puppies have every thing to learn. That’s why I don’t say anything or even take a step when they first start pointing. They have to figure out what works. They will try several things until they find what works. After they find, point and hold a lot of birds I start trying to walk in front of them. This seems to work for me and my dogs.

Luke on point.

I cover the release traps so the dogs can’t see them.

Sally, the mother of the puppies, on point.

Even though it was still warm I have been taking care of some quail and I’m getting tired of it. Austin Farley and I needed to work some dogs on retrieving so I caught ten quail, loaded the release traps, Sally and Tur Bo and headed over to Austin’s place. His place is in the country and he can shoot there.

Austin’s setter Joker pointing a quail.

Austin and Joker.

Sally pointing a quail.

Austin is running Joker in a field trial where the dogs must retrieve. Joker is a natural retriever that doesn’t like wet birds. Since their run is early in the morning we need to work Joker to get him past the problem of wet birds.

Sally and Tur Bo have been worked on the retrieving bench to the point they will retrieve about anything I throw. They should retrieve birds that I have shot but they haven’t made that connection. I couldn’t take them to the end of the force retrieving because I can’t shoot birds here. I live in the city limits.

I have been having Sally and Tur Bo retrieve a frozen quail after they point a pigeon I have hidden in a release trap. I toss the quail down near the release trap and have them hunt dead. After they find the frozen quail and bring it to me I throw it a few times for them. They seem to enjoy retrieving.

Since Austin and Joker were in a field trial, we needed to work Joker quite a few times. I hid a quail in each of the two release traps I had brought, in the tall, green grass. The hay on this field had been cut once but was about ready for a second cutting.

There was an old abandoned fence row running through the field and Joker started down it as a good wild bird dog should. I had hidden the birds out in the hay field because that’s probably what they would be hunting in the field trial. Austin called him in and when he got in front of us he stretched out with a high tail, in a real pretty point.

Austin went in front of Joker kicking the tall grass. I flushed the quail and it dropped when he shot. Joker ran to it, picked it up and dropped it. Austin kept telling him to fetch and he picked the bird up and brought it to him. Austin threw the quail and Joker ran to it and brought it back. He threw the bird 3 times and Joker retrieved it quickly each time.

He released Joker to hunt. Joker moved on through the tall grass to the next bird and pointed. In his field trial Joker won’t get any points for style but if he did he would get a lot. Every time he looks really good. When Austin signaled as he was kicking the grass in front of Joker I flushed the quail. The bird didn’t get very high so Austin shot in the air. The quail flew to the abandoned fence row where the grass was extremely tall. Joker went to the right spot but couldn’t come up with the bird.

Luke pointing a pigeon.

Austin and I walked to the area of the quail, as if this would help. Joker knew the bird was close. He saw it go down. He kept looking in the tall grass. After a few minutes he came up with the bird and brought it to Austin. Austin threw it a couple of times for him and then put him on a chain.

We reloaded the traps and I brought Sally out. I had an e-collar on her and a check cord in case I had to pull her to me. When I turned her loose she ran down the abandoned fence row. I called her into the field. When she got close to the first quail she went on point. I walked in front of her kicking the grass. I flushed the quail and it dropped when Austin shot.

Sally ran to the quail and put her nose on it but didn’t grab it. After nosing it around she picked it up but dropped it. I kept telling her to fetch. Finally, she picked the bird up and I called her to me. She brought the quail and I petted her for several seconds before taking the bird. I threw it 3 times for her. She understands that. She retrieved it each time.

We went on toward the next bird and she pointed it. I flushed it after walking in front of her kicking the cover. This bird went down in real tall grass and she had trouble finding it. We went close to where the bird had fallen. I was close when she found the bird so she only turned toward me with the bird in her mouth. I took it from her after petting her for a few seconds. I threw it 3 times for her then put her in the box on the truck.

Mann on point.

We moved the traps and reloaded them. We brought Joker out again. The quail weren’t flying real well. They are old enough but it may of been because of the wet grass. Joker pointed. As Austin walked in front of him kicking the grass I flushed the bird. It dropped into the tall grass when Austin shot. Joker ran right to the area of the fall but the bird had run.

We waited for a while then walked over to keep him in the area. About the time we got there he found it. He took it to Austin. Austin threw it several times and he retrieved it each time. We went on toward the next bird.

Joker pointed. He always looks good on his points. As Austin walked in front of him I flushed the quail. It dropped at Austin’s shot. Joker ran out, found the bird and came right back. He dropped it at Austin’s feet. Austin threw it several times and Joker retrieved it each time. I think he’s loosing his aversion to the wet quail. Austin put him on the chain.

We reloaded the release traps and I got Tur Bo out. He too went down the abandoned fence line. That’s the only break in the hay field. The dogs know where the birds should be. I called him out into the field. He got a little of the scent and went toward the bird. He was going pretty fast then slammed on the brakes. I walked in front of him and flushed the quail. It dropped when I shot and Tur Bo ran to it, picked it up and came back to me as I called him. The bird was still alive but it looked like he was really chomping it. When he dropped it in my hand it was still alive. I threw it for him 3 times and he retrieved it to me each time. After the second time the bird was no longer alive.

Another picture of Mann pointing a pigeon.

We went on toward the next bird. When he got close he pointed. I walked in front of him kicking the cover then flushed the quail. The bird only flew a few feet. I shot into the air and it flew on toward the barn where the rest of the dogs were. I couldn’t shoot so we let it go. I put Tur Bo back in the dog box.

We reloaded the traps and worked Joker one more time. I let Austin shoot my side by side. When Joker pointed he walked in front kicking the cover. I flushed the wrong trap and we lost the other bird. When I flushed the quail that Joker was pointing it didn’t fly very far and Austin shot into the air. Joker ran to the spot the quail had flown to. The bird had run a short distance and he found it and brought it to Austin. Austin threw it several times for him.

We went into the area of the other trap but we didn’t find the bird I had mistakenly released. Neither Austin or I had seen where it went. In the tall green grass it’s hard to find them when you see them go down. We took him back to the truck.

I think this helped Joker get over his problem with wet birds. I hope so anyway. For the field trial they are going to it’s 100% chance of rain. The birds will be wet.

Tur Bo’s daughter at 8 weeks old. Pointing by scent.

The female with the two black ears. Still for sale.

My male setter on the stake out. Still for sale.

For us in Missouri, winter hung on for ever and now to make up for it summer won’t end. It was in the seventies when I got up at 5:30 am this morning and now as I write this it’s 91 degrees. Our average high for this day is 79 and the average low is 59 degrees. I only worked the puppies today because when they get hot they will lie in the shade. The older dogs, I’m afraid, wouldn’t know when to quit.

New puppy, at 8 weeks old, pointing by scent.

Puppies on stakes, waiting.

Mann with a frozen quail.

I put 9 pigeons in the box on the 4-wheeler, got a release trap from the shed and turned the 3 left over pups from Sally’s litter loose. They run in front of the 4-wheeer but they do a lot of playing. I have to really watch for them. They knock each other down and they really don’t fear the 4-wheeler. They will slow down or stop right in front.

I have 3 stakes near the back on the training grounds. I have done this exercise twice before with these puppies. Each of the stakes has a short chain to attach the pups. When I get ready to take them off the stake I don’t get near them until they quit jumping. They must either stand or sit before I will release them. They want off so they learn, quickly. Also, when I drop the chain, that’s attached to the stake, I pet them for several seconds so they won’t learn that when the chain hits the ground they can leave.

I put a pigeon, from the box on the 4-wheeler, in the Dogtra release trap and hid it in the tall grass. The Dogtra release trap, makes almost no noise when it releases a pigeon. That makes it really good for young dogs.

As I put out the pigeon the puppy with the two black ears (I really need to name these puppies) started barking so I started with the spotted pup. I walked to her and waited on her to calm down before snapping a leash to her collar. I dropped the chain attached to the stake and petted her for a few seconds. I led her toward the hidden pigeon. When she indicated that she smelled the pigeon I flushed it. I let her chase a few steps. I took her back to the stake.

I reloaded the trap without moving it. I want them to anticipate a bird being there. I brought her back and when she smelled the pigeon she pointed. She only pointed for a few seconds and went toward the release trap. I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few steps and I put her back on the stake.

I reloaded the release trap and went to the male that was staked out in the middle. He tried to jump on me but quickly sat. I attached the leash to his collar and dropped the chain from the stake. After petting him a few seconds I led him away. There was hardly any breeze. I wound up leading him all the way around the pigeon before he smelled it. He didn’t slow. He went right toward the pigeon. I flushed it and encouraged him to chase. I put him back on the stake.

I reloaded the trap and brought the male back toward the pigeon. This time he pointed for a few seconds then went toward the pigeon. I flushed it and encouraged him to chase. I put him back on the stake.

The spotted female on the stake.

Most of the time as I worked these two pups the other one was barking. I yelled, “hush” a couple of times but it didn’t help. Finally, after getting frustrated with her, I walked toward her swinging my arms as if I was angry. She quit barking. I reloaded the trap.

When I went to get her off the stake she still wasn’t barking. I waited for her to quit jumping, then put the leash on her and dropped the chain from the stake. I petted her a few seconds and led her away. When she got close to the pigeon she pointed for a second then took a step. I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few steps. I put her back on the stake.

I reloaded the trap and covered it with grass. Each time when I put the pigeon in the trap it was well hidden with grass. The pup with two black ears hadn’t barked since I had walked angrily toward her. I led her toward the trap. She got close then pointed. The wind must have changed because she dropped her head and took a step. I flushed the pigeon. She chased. I put her back on the stake.

I had worked each pup on two pigeons then let them wait. I like to let the puppies think about what they are doing. I had one more pigeon for each of them. I reloaded the release trap.

I led the spotted puppy back close to the pigeon. I had to lead her half way around the pigeon before she got the smell. She stopped when she hit the scent cone. She took a step after just a few seconds and I flushed the pigeon. I put her back on her stake.

I reloaded the trap and led the male puppy near the pigeon. It was getting warmer and almost no wind. He was almost all the way around the pigeon when he pointed. He pointed then turned toward me. I flushed the pigeon. He chased a few steps. I put him back on the stake.

Sally, the mother of the puppies, on point.

The puppy that had been barking was still quiet. I reloaded the trap and led her toward the pigeon. She got some smell and pointed. He tail even came up a little. I waited until she made a move and I flushed the pigeon. She chased. I released the puppies and I rode the 4-wheeler back to the kennel with the puppies running in front.

I had been saving the female with two black ears for my cousin, Jim Smith. He had given me Mann and Babe and I owed him a couple of pups. I’ve been working Babe for quite a while and not getting through to her. He called and asked if he could have Babe instead of the puppy. That worked for me. Babe wasn’t going to make a bird dog for me but she might for him. He might do something a little different and get through to her. I hope so. But now instead of two puppies from Sally’s litter I have three.

And I had a pick of the litter coming from a female that Tur Bo bred for Troy Smith. Last Friday, Vince Dye and I met Jim in Wichita Kansas and we went to Troy Smith’s to pick up my puppy. I took Babe along for Jim.

It was late when we got home and the puppy was out of her element. I fed and watered her and put her in a kennel by herself. She had been used to 7 other brothers and sisters. It had to be hard on her.

The next morning, Saturday, I locked the wings on a pigeon and tossed it in front of her. I thought she would be a little shy. Not so. She was so aggressive with the lock wing I turned it loose. She chased it when it flew away.

Tur Bo, the sire of the latest puppy, pointing a pigeon.

I flew a few pigeons for her. Then Sunday I put a pigeon on a stout cord I had on a fishing rod. I flipped it in front of her and she tried to catch it twice then when I moved it away she pointed it. She held the point for quite a while for a puppy.

Monday morning when I turned her out there was a pigeon close to the coop on the ground. When she saw it she pointed with a high tail. She held the point for quite a while. Finally, her attention span faltered. She went on to something else.

This morning after working the other puppies I decided I would work her. I put 4 pigeons in the box on the 4-wheeler. Since she’s barely 8 weeks old she can’t run to the back where I worked the other puppies. I put a collar on her so I could stake her out. I scooped her up and gave her a ride to the back. I attached her to a stake.

She had never had a collar on, never ridden on a 4-wheeler, never been staked out and never asked to point a pigeon in a release trap by smell. Plus this was only the fifth day that she had been in my life. And she handled it great.

While I hid the pigeon in the release trap she fought the stake. When I came to unhook her I waited until she calmed down before taking her off the stake. She had never been led with a leash but she went along. When she smelled the pigeon I flushed it. I took her back to the stake.

While I put another pigeon in the release trap she fought the stake. I led her back toward the pigeon and this time went almost around it before she indicated she smelled it. She started toward the trap and I flushed the pigeon. I put her back on the stake.

Luke pointing a pigeon.

As I loaded the trap she fought the stake but not as hard as before. I led her toward the pigeon. She whirled around and started toward the pigeon. I flushed it. I took her back to the stake.

She was still fighting the stake but she may have been getting hot and tired. The fight was less. I led her toward the pigeon and farther away than she had ever indicated before, she went on point. I took a couple of pictures with my camera then put it up and took a couple with my phone then some video. Her tail was up and she knew that bird was there and she wasn’t moving. As I watched her tail twitched and I knew she was going to move something. She moved her left back leg and I flushed the pigeon. When the bird flew off she turned and looked at me. She didn’t even chase or move for a few seconds. I picked up the trap and she rode with me back to the kennel.

I really enjoy starting puppies on pointing but I’m also working them on retrieving. I have a couple of paint roller covers that I’m using for retrieving dummies. I take the puppies one at a time to an empty kennel and throw the roller cover. It’s light and furry. The puppies all seem to enjoy retrieving it. I’m doing that twice a day with them. Even the new puppy is retrieving the roller cover. Maybe this will carry over and they won’t have to be force broke to retrieve.

Another picture of the new puppy pointing.

My male setter on the stake out.

The female with the two black ears.

I would like to be working the older dogs on birds and getting them in shape but the weather is just too warm. This morning when I got up at 6:00 it was already 74 degrees. Yesterday morning was about the same. I may have to go somewhere where it’s cooler. I’ve been working the puppies on retrieving and today I started putting a pigeon in the release trap for them.

My male setter on the stake out.

My female setter on a stake out.

A female that is going to Oklahoma Friday.

All three of these puppies are in the same run. When I let them out for retrieving I let one at a time out and I take them to an empty run. I throw a paint roller cover for them and get really excited when they go after the paint roller. I squat right in front of the gate, to the run we are in. The puppy wants to get away with the roller cover but I’m between him and the gate. The puppy runs to me.

I pet the puppy until the roller cover is dropped. I grab it and throw it again. After a few throws I take this puppy back and get another. Usually, I only throw it 3 to 5 times for each puppy. I want them to quit, wanting more.

Almost, every time the female with the big spot on her side gets out of the kennel run first. Next usually the male comes out. It seemed like the female with two black ears would always be in the wrong place to come out of their run. The first few days I had a real hard time getting her out. For the other two I would push the gate in and they both came right out.

Finally, I pulled the gate out and the little girl that I was wanting came right out. When I pulled the gate it put the other two out of position but let her out. It wasn’t her it was me. I had to learn which way to move the gate.

The puppies really enjoy the retrieving but when I get ready to go get another puppy, in just a few days, each one would go right back to their run and enter without much effort on my part. With enough repetitions dogs will learn anything.

I drove 3 stakes, in the shade, in the yard near a good place to hide pigeons in the release traps. I put some pigeons in the box on the 4-wheeler and hid a pigeon, in a release trap in the weeds where all of the puppies, on their stake, could see it. I don’t move the trap between birds. I want the puppy to anticipate a bird being there. Usually, after a few repetitions the puppy will point when he smells the pigeon.

The lone male that is left.

I turned the puppies loose and walked them to the stakes. As they came to me I hooked them to the stakes. I have learned with the chain gang that the puppies don’t think this is punishment. They, even when they get older, will come right to me when I stand by the stakes or chain gang, to be tied up.

I’m going to have to name these puppies, soon. It’s hard to write about them when they don’t have a name. I put a leash on the pup with two black ears and lead her to the area of the trap. She wasn’t sure what we were doing and wasn’t sure about being restrained by the leash. She tried to jump on me but I moved her away with the leash.

The wind wasn’t very strong and it always swirls. Finally, I got her in the right place and she went toward the pigeon. I flushed the bird and she chased a few steps. I tied her leash to a tree, close to the trap, while I reloaded the release trap.

I lead her back to the trap. This time she was expecting a bird, although she still wasn’t sure. The wind wasn’t exactly where I thought it was but when I got her right she pointed. It didn’t last long. When she moved I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few feet. I put her back on the stake.

After reloading the release trap I lead the orange male puppy out with the leash. He too, tried to jump on me and wrap me up with the leash. Finally, I got him in the right place to smell the pigeon in the release trap. He started toward the pigeon and I flushed it. He chased a few feet. I tied him to a limb on a tree while I reloaded the trap.

A couple of puppies.

I lead him back toward the pigeon. When I got him where he could smell the pigeon he flash pointed then tried to go in. I flushed the pigeon. He chased a few steps. I took him back to his stake.

There wasn’t much cover where I had hidden the release trap and we had beat it down a little. I moved the trap to a weedier location.

The spotted female had been watching the other puppies and she knew what was going on, she thought. I lead her toward the pigeon and she was pulling to get at the pigeon, but I had moved it. I lead her toward the pigeon and she flash pointed then went toward the trap. I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few steps. I tied her to a limb.

When I had the trap reloaded I lead her back. She was ready. She pulled me toward the pigeon and when she hit the scent cone she pointed. This time she stayed for several seconds. The puppies are rigid but their tails aren’t up. One of them did have a foot up when they pointed and when they put the foot down I flushed the pigeon. Once they point, any movement on their part, I flush the pigeon. I put her back on the stake.

I think letting dogs think about what they are doing helps them learn. I had three more pigeons in the box on the 4-wheeler. I reloaded the trap and lead the puppy with two black ears toward the pigeon. This was a new area for the first two puppies but this puppy smelled the pigeon and went on point. She didn’t stay long but she definitely pointed. At her first movement I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few steps. I put her on the stake.

One of the females.

After the trap was reloaded I lead the male puppy toward the pigeon. Each of these puppies, because of the wind swirling, point in a little different area. He was a little farther away than the first puppy but on past the bird. When he moved I flushed the pigeon. He chased a short distance. I put him back on the stake.

When I had reloaded the trap I lead the spotted girl toward the pigeon. She hit the scent cone in a different area than the other two had but that just shows how the wind swirls. She pointed for a few seconds then when she moved, I flushed the pigeon. She chased a few steps. I turned all of the puppies loose to run.

I put the release trap on the 4-wheeler and thought I would run the pups. I went toward the back of the training grounds slowly, calling the pups. When I got to the back I didn’t have any puppies with me. Since this was the first time I tried to run them off the 4-wheeler, I wasn’t surprised. When I got back close to where I had hidden the pigeons all three pups were there, checking out the cover. They came to me and we went to the back, slowly, then back to the kennel.

I will do this with the puppies for a few days and they should start holding longer and longer. After a few times like this I will start spreading more traps out on the training grounds. This should be the start of a life long habit of pointing birds.

Part of the training grounds.

Another time on the stake outs.

Mann with a frozen quail.