I haven’t trained dogs in several days. I have been fighting the flu for the last few days. I don’t get sick very often but when I do no one has ever been that sick. That’s what I think anyway. This morning I felt pretty good so I put 6 pigeons, Blaze, Whitey and Tur Bo into the truck for the trip to the county park. When we got to the park I hid 2 pigeons in the tall grass of the bird field.
By the time I carried the release traps and pigeons out, hid the birds then walked back to get a dog I knew this bout with the flu wasn’t over. The temperature was about 50 degrees and I was in shirt sleeves but I was sweating like crazy. I didn’t stake the dogs out. I left them in the truck dog box until I ran them then returned them to the box.
Blaze
I heeled Blaze out with an e-collar around her flanks and another around her neck. When they know there are birds out the dogs want to pull me to the field so I do several 180 degree turns. After awhile they settle down where I can release them to hunt. Blaze made a nice cast then went on point. I took a few pictures then walked in front kicking the grass. She was 20 yards from the bird and I made her stand for quite awhile before I flushed the pigeon. I thought she looked so nice I took another picture then flushed the pigeon and fired the blank pistol. The bird flew behind her and she turned to watch it fly off. I picked her up and returned her to her original spot then tapped her on the head to release her.
She was moving pretty fast when she hit the scent cone on the next bird and slammed into a point. The pigeon was behind her but she was afraid to move. I took a picture, walked all around her then flushed the bird and fired the blank pistol. She took one step and stopped. I picked her up and set her back. I walked in front of her then tapped her on the head to release her. She hunted back to the truck.
Whitey
Whitey
After putting Blaze up and hiding 2 more pigeons in the grass I got Whitey out. I put the e-collars on her and heeled her toward the field. Usually she handles real well but this morning she was trying to tow me to the field. After a few 180 degree turns she finally settled down. I released her to hunt and she hit the first bird right away. I took some pictures then walked in front kicking the grass. I flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She never moved. I kicked the grass some more then tapped her on the head to release her.
On her second bird I saw her head come up and she squared up on the bird then went on point. She was at least 25 yards from the bird but she had it good. I walked in front, kicking the cover then flushed the pigeon and shot the blank pistol. She never moved. I walked around her kicking the cover then tapped her on the head to release her. Whitey is pretty steady on these birds in release traps. I need to shoot some birds over her to make sure she will hold to birds being shot.
Tur Bo
Tur Bo
My energy level was about gone but I had one more dog to do. I put the e-collars on Tur Bo and heeled him out to the field. After a half dozen or so 180 degree turns I whoaed him then tapped him on the head to release him to hunt. I had moved the 2 pigeons close together for him and I had him dragging a check cord. He went on point with a real high head and tail. I took some pictures then picked up his check cord. Of the 2 birds, I could tell which one he was smelling so I flushed the other one. He wanted to chase but I stopped him. I stood him up and waited until he got the scent of the bird again. He went back on point and I stroked his sides telling him what a good boy he was. I flushed the second bird and he tried to chase again but I stopped him. I whoaed him, stroked his sides then tapped him on the head to run.
All 3 young dogs are doing better each time with Whitey a little better than Blaze. Blaze resists the training more. She is probably the better bird dog but she doesn’t give to the training as easy as Whitey. But dogs are like people there are no two alike.