I'm adding to this thread a little late, but it has caught my attention. I would say to not worry about your dog pointing the released birds tight. As long as he points them you are on your way. Remember that this is just training, and is a very controlled situation. Released birds act differently that wild birds, but your dog will figure that out on it's own. Once you put him out there on wild birds there will be some set backs in the form of bumped birds because he is crowding them, but he will figure out the distance with time. Experience will teach your dog how to work running ruffs, just as it will teach him it's okay to crowd woodcock.

If you want to challenge him a bit in training try not spinning or dizzying the released birds at all. They will definately act a bit more jumpy. Game birds would rather run than fly, so slip them into bits of cover they can sneak around in when released. Quail are small, so it doesn't take much cover. This will also get your dog started on tracking a bit of ground scent too, as the bird will most likely have moved a short distance from where you placed it.