ok i got a huge question, my dog is about 1 year and 4 months old, he's getting to be a smart dog... my only concern is, i dont know if he'll ever retrieve... the only roosters we've gotten was when we've hunted just with us, not the dog. But, we do have a dummy pheasant deal, we make scent trails with that and hide it, he always finds it quick, whenever we make scent trails for him, we always throw it for him. Im just wondering, he loves playing fetch with a tennis ball, he loves when we put pheasant wings on the dummy, he will retrieve it with enthuisasm. He always gets it even if he is like almost dead. Do you think he'll retrieve when we shoot a bird with him? i know he has a great nose, first hunt we went on, he got a hen up, it was a windy day, and he prolly thought it was the pheasant dummy, but anwayz.. do you think he'll retrieve real pheasants when we shoot them? or what should we do to make him love pheasants? ty for your help in advance!

here is my dog pointing, he's a beautiful dog!



EDIT : sorry bout the pic, its really fuzzy

Get some dead pigeons or pheseants and freeze them. Thaw them and use them to do your retriving work.

well there is a chance , i would work with him like the previous post get a few frozen ones and get another person to stand way down in the field and get the person to throw the died pigeon and shoot it just like a real pigeon then send him after the bird. If he goes it gets it then he is set. but if not keep doing it, he'll get the idea.

TreestandEd is right only I would also concider getting some live birds if you can find access to some. There is nothing better then live birds for training your hunting dog. I use Live quail. If you dizzy them up a littel bit and place them in cover they will sit tight most of the time. give them enough time to recover and work the dog in that direction. Check your local and state laws but then you can flush and shot the bird over the dog and give him the same comand you do when you tell him to fetch in the yard. Live birds have a way of really getting a dog fired up on finding birds. also it is an added expence but you can get a bird lancher, manual ones are cheaper then remote ones. Check out the internet for Lion Contry Supply, Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop for a launcher if interested.

It sounds like you hunt with a few guys. If you are serious about working with your dog .. leave the gun at home and focus on your dog and go out with your buddies. If you happen to put up a rooster, you won't get caught up in shooting the bird .. you can focus on directing your dogs actions.

That being said .. he'll "probably" retrieve the bird. I'm guessing you have not shot over the dog, so it will be good if you can focus the dog on the downed bird.

Use real birds to practice retrieving whenever possible.

MN Pheas Hntr,

What training program (book/tape) have you been using as your dog training guide?

If you are worried about retrieving a bird. The best pratice is using a just shot limp warm bird. If your dog is a little timid about picking up a dead bird. Shoot one than play catch with it until he gets the idea. Just like a tennis ball. Of course you probably won't want to eat it later. After they get over the dragging it by one feather at a time, and learn it is easier to just pick the whole thing up and bring it to you. You won't have to worry; it will all be part of the game. Also, just becuse you play catch with it won't mean they will chew on it. They just need to get used to feel of a fresh bird.

[/quote] umm... we've actually did use that dummy throwing it in the air and when it reaches max height we shot by it, and he got it. he aint gun shy or anything.

as for the book/ tape we used the gun dog.

ty for your tips all!

Great book ------------- 30 years ago. HUGE advancements have been made in gundog training over the last 30 years............ Which have left "Gun Dog" in the dust.