RE: Training Question
First of all wether they be an inside or outside dog is solely up to you. Its does not effect the way they hunt. the best and most effective way to train a bird dog is with actual birds, whether they be wild or pen raised. Also once pup goes on point even if he is not commited to the point stop him or caution him with Whoa. You don't want him creeping on birds, if you allow him him to creep he will associate that it is ok for him to creep. And later could cause spoked birds to flush before you get with in range. But once you get him trained you will not need to use a feather or anything for him to scent before you hunt him. Just make sure you run a refresher training session a few weeks before you decide to hunt or before hunting season comes around, just like all dogs a refresher course is never bad, it can only help. And also you want to keep his conditioning good through out the year.