Since I got Mann back from Lion’s Den Kennel, where he was being force broke to retrieve, I have worked him and all of the dogs on pigeons every other day. I worked the older dogs on retrieving after they point a couple of pigeons. The puppies were worked, every day, on four pigeons each. Most of the time my pigeons get to just stay in the coop and do what pigeons do. This last week I have worked them a lot.
Josie, the youngest puppy.
Abby, out of Sally’s litter.
Gabe, out of Sally’s litter.
I heeled each of the older dogs to the retrieving bench where I walked them up and down the bench, petting them. I hooked them to the chain gang. The chain gang is close to the retrieving bench and this lets each dog see the others retrieving and being praised for bringing me the dummies. After putting out two release traps with pigeons in them I took Luke from the chain gang and put him back on the retrieving bench.
I had forgotten that I had worked Luke on the bench when he was young. I put four retrieving dummies on the other end of the bench after putting him on whoa. I sent him for the retrieve and he seemed to like the attention. He retrieved all four. I set him on the ground. I followed him down the field on the 4-wheeler.
We had a good breeze but Luke had trouble scenting the birds, in the release traps. My land isn’t level and the folds cause the wind to swirl on the best of days but this is what I run into when hunting. We went past both birds to the end of the field. On the way back toward the front he hit the scent cone of a bird. I took pictures then walked in front of him, flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move.
I held a frozen quail in front of him and tossed it a few feet. He trotted out, scooped the quail up and came back with it. He dropped it at my feet. I could probably insist he hold until I told him to give but he’s about 10 years old and I’m just happy to have him still able to hunt. I tossed it again and he brought it and dropped it near me. I sent him on. We went through the same thing on the next bird. Luke is very consistent. When he goes on point he stays where he stops until I walk in front whether it’s real hunting or on the training grounds. I took him back to the kennel.
I reloaded the release traps and had Sally jump onto the retrieving bench. I put four dummies on the other end after putting her on whoa. I sent her to fetch each one, praising her lavishly when she brought them back. Mann was watching. I had her retrieve the four dummies twice then set her on the ground. I followed her down the training grounds on the 4-wheeler.
Abby
I had moved the release traps where the dogs would have a better chance of smelling them. Sally went down the wrong side of the first bird and on to the back where she pointed the second bird. I took pictures, walked in front, flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She didn’t move.
I had a frozen quail in my hand and I had dropped one as I got off the 4-wheeler. I tossed the one in my hand near the one I had dropped and said, “fetch”. She ran out, scooped up the quail and raced back. I had her hold until I said, “give”. I then said, “fetch” and waved in the direction of the frozen quail lying on the ground. This is new and she didn’t understand but she went a little way. I walked closer and said, “hunt dead”. She found the quail and brought it to me. I tossed a frozen quail for her three times. She seems to enjoy retrieving. I sent her on.
On the way back toward the front she hit the scent cone on the first bird and pointed. As I rode closer she took a step and went back on point. With the swirling wind she may have lost the scent but I shouted, “whoa”. I set her back, flushed the pigeon but didn’t shoot the blank pistol or throw the frozen quail. I made her stand as I kicked the cover in front of her then took her back to the kennel.
Tur Bo was next. He jumped onto the bench and I had him retrieve the four retrieving dummies, twice. Tur Bo is a little over fifty pounds and the bench is old. I worry about my bench when he dashes after the dummies. The bench held up and I set him on the ground.
He pointed the first bird. I dropped a frozen quail near the 4-wheeler, took pictures, walked in front of him and shot the blank pistol. He took his one step but didn’t chase. I don’t even set him back, anymore. He’s going to take a step no matter what. I’m okay with that.
Josie pointing a pigeon.
I tossed the frozen quail near the one lying on the ground and said, “fetch”. He raced out, scooped up the quail, raced back and sat near me. I said, “give” and he dropped the bird in my hand. I waved my hand in the direction of the one lying on the ground but he didn’t understand. I said, “hunt dead” and he started making circles. Fast circles. He found the bird, scooped it up and brought it to me and dropped it in my hand. I tossed it for him three times then sent him on.
He pointed the second bird and we went through the same thing. He did fine. When I drop the bird and then throw another near the first I want them to smell the bird lying there and go on their own and retrieve it. This may take a while. He ran in front of the 4-wheeler for a little while for some extra exercise. I took him back to the kennel.
Mann was the last of the older dogs. He’s actually not very old. Only about 18 months old but he did an excellent job on wild quail last season. Now that he has been force broke to retrieve and what I have been doing with Tur Bo and Sally, I should have some retrievers this season. Lady was the best retriever I ever had. She’s been gone several years. Dolly was a part time retriever but now I’m hoping to have some retrievers, again.
I had him jump onto the retrieving bench. When Jim at Lion’s Den worked with him on the bench he threw the bird down the bench and Mann went after it. I put him on whoa and put two frozen quail on the other end. Mann followed me down the bench. I carried him back and put him on whoa. He followed, again. I put him back. He stayed and I sent him after the quail. He ran down the bench, grabbed the quail and came back. I sent him for the second. He did it perfect.
Tur Bo on point.
I put him on whoa and started down the bench. He followed. I carried him back. I went down the bench and he followed. I put him back. This is hard for him but he must know that whoa means don’t move your feet. He finally stayed. I had him retrieve the quail. He got a little better but it’s hard for him. He retrieved the two frozen quail four times each. I set him on the ground.
He understands whoa a lot better when he’s on the ground. I whoaed him, got on the 4-wheeler, started it and put it in gear before saying, “okay” to release him to hunt. He was charged up after being on the chain gang for a long time while the others got to hunt. He was on the wrong side of the first pigeon or was too wound up. He pointed the bird at the back of the training grounds. I took pictures, dropped a frozen quail, walked in front of him kicking the cover, flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move.
I tossed a frozen quail near the one I had dropped on the ground. He raced out, grabbed the quail, raced back and held it until I said, “give”. He dropped it in my hand and tried go back to hunting but I grabbed the check cord. I tried to send him by waving my arm and saying, “fetch”. He didn’t see anything fly through the air so he didn’t understand. I said, “hunt dead” and held the check cord so he couldn’t leave. He found the bird and retrieved. I tossed the quail three times for him. I released him to hunt.
He pointed the bird hidden near the start of the training grounds. After taking pictures I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. He didn’t move.
Luke pointing a pigeon.
I tossed the frozen quail near one I had dropped on the ground. He ran to the quail, scooped it up but started away from me. I had the transmitter on the e-collar on the lowest setting and held the button down. He almost said, “alright”! He changed direction and came right straight to me and held the bird. I was laughing. Sometimes it’s almost like you can read their mind. I had him hunt dead and he did great. I tossed the frozen quail for him three times then let him run in front of the 4-wheeler before taking him back to the kennel.
I put all four puppies on the chain gang and put out four pigeons for each one. They are all pointing. Some better than others but each of them will point.
I hide the release trap really well so there is no doubt that the puppy smells the pigeon and points. When they point at the first indication of scent I stand and watch. I don’t say anything and I don’t move. I don’t try to walk in front of them. At their first move I flush the pigeon. If they point with a foot raised and they set it down I flush the pigeon. If they have all four feet on the ground and raise one I flush the bird. I want them to think that any movement on their part will flush the bird.
If I see them smell the bird and start toward it, I flush the pigeon. If they get too close without smelling the bird, I flush it. I’m not concerned at this age if they don’t point any of the birds. Wild birds are skittish and I want them to think these are too.
After working them on their birds I put them back on the chain gang. In human terms the chain gang would be punishment but to them it’s not. They run right to it to be hooked up and after working their birds they come right back.
Mann pointing a pigeon.
I really like the chain gang for puppies. It teaches patience as well as to give to the lead. When I take one off I stand in front of them until they quit jumping. I don’t say anything, just stand and watch. They try several different things but will soon try to sit or at least stand still. I bend over to unhook them and if they start jumping I step back and wait. When I unhook them I drop the chain but hold them where they can’t move. I pet them for a few seconds then release them.
Daisey, the female with two black eyes and two black ears and Gabe, the male with orange spots are still for sale. I want to get them pointing good before I advertise them but I really need to get rid of a couple of puppies. The season is coming and I can’t haul as many dogs as I have.
Luke
Daisey
Mann