Training with Live Birds
After working with Chris the other day I wanted to give it a go with Abby. Chris was kind enough to have me along as the shooter again and agreed to run Abby through the same drills. The first problem was that Abby was a little too hyper and it took her a minute to settle down and focus. Next time I think it would help to run her for a bit on the ATV to help take the edge off. It was cold and windy but she finally scented the bird, but her point was a bit weak. I think with a few more birds her pointing will improve as she learns what is expected.
After Abby help a point for a minute or two we released the hen pheasant and let her fly a ways before I shot her. As soon as the bird hit the ground, Chris released Abby for the retrieve. She found the bird without any trouble but was a little tentative to pick it up. She seemed to just want to stand proudly over it knowing it was her prize. At one point she kind of wandered around the area to see if there might be another bird down. Finally, she settled down and picked the bird up. I knelt down and she brought it right to me. For a job well done we heaped on the praise and made sure she knew she did something good. In a few days we will try it all again in a different setting with new terrrain and unfamiliar surroundings.