We do a lot of bird dog training before we ever shoot a bird for the dogs. I like the dog to do everything right before they get a bird shot over them. Shooting a bird for your dog is a reward for them and they love every aspect of it. From the point, to the flush and the retrieve – they are in bird dog heaven. Lizzy stands her birds nicely and is doing really well so to celebrate her first birthday this week we shot a bobwhite quail for her.
This past week I was able to help install one of many guzzlers that are being placed to help the local chukar populations. It was a fun project with a great bunch of guys who all volunteered their time. This guzzler was funded in part by the Utah Chukar and Wildlife Foundation that does a lot to improve habitat for Chukar Partridge in Utah. The guzzlers are placed in key locations to gather rainfall and store it in an underground tank so the birds will have access to water during dry spells. The tank has a small opening on one side with a ramp leading down into the water. We are hoping to see improved chukar numbers as a result of these efforts. Barbed wire is placed on the perimeter to keep cattle and big game from using the sites. The sites are so remote that a helicopter had to air drop the building materials.
We have been having a great time using the new quail recall pens to train young bird dogs. This young german shorthair went nuts the first time we ran her on the bobwhite quail. She chased and chased until she figured out that she was never gonna catch them. After a few days of chasing birds she settled down and started pointing them. Luna learned pretty quickly that creeping is not okay on covey birds because you never know when a single is gonna bust out of the brush at your feet. We don’t give many commands while working these young dogs on quail. We just let the bobwhite quail train the bird dogs and they seem to get the hang of it. This is definitely a great way to accelerate the learning process. The best part is the birds call back to the pen and you can do it all again the next day, and the next…
I love to see these guys watching out for the safety of the covey. Reminds me of how it takes good neighbors and friends to help raise your kids and keep an eye on them. This little covey of valley quail has been living and multiplying on the farm property where I guide pheasant hunters. We don’t hunt them but we love to have them around. For nearly a decade this covey has been growing and propagating successfully in the river bottoms and foothills near the pheasant farm.
As the weather warms up it is a good time to get young dogs introduced to water. Nothing is better at coaxing a young puppy into the water than other dogs frolicking in a pond on a hot day. The past few weeks we have been ending our training sessions with a walk to the pond. The 14 week old brittany above was a little timid the first couple of times. He would wade out a little and get his feet wet, but wouldn’t jump in. Then on the third trip we through a bumper and he decided he wanted to swim out and get it. This was after watching several other dogs fetch the bumper from the pond. It was a great positive experience with water and a perfect intro to water retrieves.
The chain gang theory in bird dog training is a trick for getting other dogs excited to have their turn. The idea is simply to make them watch other dogs train and work birds from a short distance away. It works like a charm for dogs that are a little tentative or hard-headed. After a few times watching other dogs they will be ready to have a go. We keep our chains pretty short (around 3 foot long). The other part is that they are all hooked together on one long chain, this teaches them to give to the lead for collar conditioning.
We have updated our recall pen and built a new updated model. This one is a little taller to accommodate a 5 gallon water fount and feeder to make maintenance a little easier. We used 6-7 2X4 studs and ripped them down to nice straight 2×2′s. Also, this new design uses only one sheet of 1/2″ plywood due to the smaller shelter in the back. The new shelter is only 18-24 inches wide and has a platform for roosting. They seem to like this better.
When introducing young pups to birds for the first time I like to use a clipped wing pigeon. This is done by plucking or cutting the main 4-5 flight feathers on one wing. The bird will still be able to lift off and flutter, but not fly away. Some puppies will point the bird, some will charge right in while still others will stalk it slowly like JJ in the picture to the left. I really want to see their prey drive and how much they want to get that bird. It is amazing how differently each pup in a litter reacts to the same situation. I use this drill as a yardstick to measure where I need to start their bird dog training. Generally, bolder dog can move along at a faster clip and progress a little more quickly. The timid or reserved pup will take a little more time as you build her confidence and keep things lighter.
At some point I like them to actually catch the bird and mouth it a little. This is a great time to test the pups retrieving instincts. All puppies love to pick things up, its the getting them to bring it to you that is the tricky part. Some pups will bring a bird right to you without much coaxing, while others will run away to enjoy their bird. Either way be sure to pet them up real good before you take the bird away.
