Dog training?
 

I know you guys must get this all the time, but I just got a black lab puppy. She is about 3 months old. Both her parents were retrievers and pointers. The question I have is how to train them to flush pheasants. I have never trained one before, and am completely clueless on it. Obviously, there are books and such on it, but I wanted to get some tips from regular hunters.

RE: Dog training?
 

A lot of what a dog does is instinct.. You will need to teach basics before you get too far into hunting with the dog. Sit, stay, come, heal, etc......
If you don't know what you are doing I would recomend finding someone in your area that could help train your dog so you don't go down the wrong path....People can tell you a million things to do online but it is different when you have the dog in person handling it. Good luck.

RE: Dog training?
 

Like G Force said, a lot is instinct and they need to have a good obedience and basic training before you get into much hunting. Main thing is be very patient and keep it fun for the pup

RE: Dog training?
 

A trick I use is to take a pheasant wing and drag it on the floor inside and make a trail, then hide the wing some place easy and insight the first few times then hide it and make it harder once she has learned to play this game.

Make sure you get her attention point to the track get her to smell it, tell her she is a GOOD DOG! (Don't be afraid to get a little silly and happy with her in the begining) when she finds it and starts to hunt it up.
Once she understands the scent is on the ground and learns to use her nose on the ground it will become a fun game to play anytime.
Then when she is older take this game outside, eventually leading up to real birds.
Pay to Play hunts and bird clubs are really good in the begining, the birds are usually a little easier to hunt for novice dogs then wiley wild birds.

RE: Dog training?
 

If you have access to live pheasant, another good way to trail is to bleed out a bird in a five gallon of water. You’re not teaching the dog how to smell pheasants your showing the dog how to use his nose. Something soaked in bloody water will do the trick. Make sure the dog does not see you place the mark (bird). After that you can move to wings or scented marks. Just another opinion.








[/align]

RE: Dog training?
 

Join a local field trailaffiliated club. Even if you aren't planning to enter, they are a great resource. Most are dog knowledgable people and are willing to share what they know. Some offer free trainning sessions. Clubs suggestions: NSTRA, NAVDIA, Amateur Field Trailers of America, U.S Shooting.

Also, read up on a good book/training program so atleast you'll know the terms when they're explaining something to you.

I was wondering, does it come from pointing labs background? If so, they should point instead of flushing.

RE: Dog training?
 

Local field club, NARHA, UKC, AKC, whatever...that's your best bet. Find a training partner to help you out and you'll likely find new hunting buddies/sources too